The $35 Outfit

 My sister recently challenged me to find an outfit for $35 or less, at *gasp* retail price. 

The Challenge:

• NO sales items or second-hand shops, so the outfit can be replicated.
• Outfit must be complimentary to most body types.
• Appropiate for outdoor parties, casual weddings, etc.
• Breezy and colorful for summer.
• $35 or less from head to toe.

I'm famously cheap, so you can imagine that I wasn't thrilled at the prospect of paying full price for an outfit, but it did get me thinking. I'm well aware that thrifting can be time-consuming, and some people don't have that time. So for all you busy ladies, here is an affordable outfit that kills 99.9% of the time. 

Mad props to my sister 
for this perfect OOTD shot!

I started off with a Charlotte Russe Dress $20. I couldn't get over how soft the fabric was. Score for comfort!

 This loose style is flattering on most body types, but the modern cut keeps it from looking like a colorful mumu. 

Accessories were next on the list. I wanted to incorporate a lively pattern to the outfit, so I found this Walmart Scarf $4.97. It's actually 2 thin summer scarves in 1 pack, but I really enjoyed the contrasting look of both together (As pictured here).
For those of you, who prefer more muted accessories, feel free to pare some silver or white gold jewelry with this outfit, in leu of the scarf. 

Forever21 offers a great range of cheap jewelry, which you can check out here.

The last detail to the outfit is footwear. I looked at a range of black dress sandals, but I favored the strappy style of these Walmart Sandals $8.76.
Note: If you have a moral dilemma with shopping at Walmart, there are also similar options at Target for $13 and at Payless for $8.

Voilà!




Reflections from My Challenge 

While doing research for this challenge, I learned that (According to ThreadFlip) the average American women spends around $113 per outfit in her closet. Having been raised by very frugal parents, this figure sounded astronomical to me. 

With eight mouths to feed in our single income household, every dollar counted. Taking cue from our

Humble Beginnings

L to R: Suz, Me, Kimby, Chris

parents, my siblings and I learned how to happily live on little (As pictured here on these dirty smiling faces).

I've learned that no matter how much money you make, the practice of thrift is key to a long-term peace of mind.

 Considering that two-thirds of Americans don't live within their means, thrift does not seem to be a popular mantra. This fact only makes me more grateful for the lessons in frugality that my parents imparted. It was through these lessons that I grew to appreciate thrift stores and eventually become a style consultant. The irony of a style consultant who recommends spending LESS money on clothing.

Being the sceptic that I am about retail pricing, I entered this challenge fairly unsure that I could find a $35 outfit, using the mall and popular retail stores as resources. 

Coming out of this challenge, I still prefer my secondhand stores, but I now have a greater appreciation for what a little resourceful thinking can land you at these popular stores.

If you're on the market for a new outfit, you should give the "$35 or less" challenge a try. I'd love to see what you find! Feel free to post the pictures here, or use the #talkfrugaltome on Instagram, so I can check them out.