Welcome back to Treats and Trends, hope you all had a great weekend! Today I’m sharing how and where to find affordable fashion. I use this phrase a lot, so maybe it’s a good idea to define it. To me affordable fashion means stylish clothes and accessories that won’t put a big dent in your bank account. Shopping is fun, but so is having a comfortable amount of money saved up! Ugh I’m sounding like my husband! Most of the items I share on this blog are under $100 and ideally under $50 (although there are some items worth investing in). When I want to check out the new arrivals and add something to my closet without feeling guilty about the price tag, I turn to these 5 budget-friendly stores.
Outfit details:
Plaid Shirt, similar here | Jacket, similar here | Jeans | Loafers (on sale for 40% off!)
Purse, similar here for only $22 | Sunglasses
OLD NAVY
Where do I even begin. I have found so many items here in the past year, including the plaid top in this outfit. They are always on-trend, but still have a great selection of basics and neutrals. Even without a sale the clothes and accessories at Old Navy are very reasonable, but chances are you’ll be able to find a discount! They seem to have different items on sale every week or day, so I check my emails from them regularly. Also, if you buy something full-price and see that it’s on sale a few days later, they will price match as long as you bring in your receipt. Another way to save money here is to keep an eye out for their Super Cash promotions. Usually the deal is that when you spend $25 you get $10 to spend at a later date specified on the coupon. This is currently going on through January 26.
H&M
If you’re on the fence about trying a new trend, look for the item at H&M. I wasn’t sure if I could pull off an oversized turtleneck, so when I found this one for only $19 I figured that it was worth a shot! In addition to the hottest trends, they also have a huge selection of basics. I bought this coat there a couple of years ago and it’s still a staple in my closet. I love the leather sleeves because the edginess balances out the girly pieces in my closet. Outerwear can usually be pricy, but most of their jackets are only $49.99. And make sure to always check the sale rack! I have found some items there for only $5!
LOFT
I find a lot of quality basics and stylish business-casual items at LOFT. This sweater and this blouse have been some of my favorite purchases. Rather than super trendy pieces, they carry sophisticated styles that still look fresh and modern. Always be on the lookout for deals here because they usually offer an additional discount on sale items. Check your email, look online or walk by the store because sometimes they even offer 40 – 50% off your entire purchase or 50% off sweaters, etc. It’s pretty rare when I buy something at full price here.
Target
Okay, this is where I get into trouble. Everything is so cute and inexpensive, so I usually end up spending more than I planned to. I especially love their shoes (so many great knockoffs of my favorites from Nordstrom) and the Who What Wear line. I bought these booties for only $37 and have worn them almost every day this fall/winter. When it comes to saving even more money here check your emails for daily deals, download the Cartwheel app and check the clearance sections. There’s nothing better than seeing that red sticker on an item you’ve been eyeing all season!
NORDSTROM RACK
It’s no secret that I’m a Nordstrom lover (that’s where I got these loafers and jeans), so I love seeing similar pieces at much lower prices. I always hate when I buy something full price and then I see it at the Rack six months later (this has happened with some shoes a couple of times). If only I had waited I would have saved around 40%! One of my favorite brands to shop at Nordstrom Rack is Ro & De because they are always on-trend and girly (you can see how I styled a few of those tops here, here and here). Nordstrom Rack also has sales on clearance items every now and then. When they were offering 25% off sale items, I picked up some Adidas workout T-shirts for my husband since they were under $10 each. It might feel more like a scavenger hunt here compared to a Nordstrom department store, but you’re bound to find some great deals!
What are your favorite budget-friendly stores for fashion?