For the trend-setting fashionistas

I did a blog yesterday about the top 10 fashion trends in 2011.

Anyone who knows me well, or has known me for a long time, is well-aware that I go out of the box with my outfits. In high school I was known for the crazy layers I always had. 

It's progressed now to a different level. I love to combine classy-looking clothing with modern accessories and the modern clothing with classy accessories. 

Since it has turned winter, I've started a new trend of my own that I previously haven't done. 

As I said, I've always loved layers. Instead of shirts though, which is what I used to layer in high school, I layer my socks, boots and leggings.

Yes, I took a picture of my socks and boots at work.

Almost every day I wear a dress or tunic to work with leggings/tights and boots (as mentioned in the top 10 blog and other previous posts, I'm obsessed with boots). 

So today, it's black leggings with gray socks and black boots. Yesterday it was dark brown leggings with light and dark plaid socks and brown boots. If I'm wearing a solid color dress/tunic, I wear plaid socks. However, my dress today has a pattern, hence the solid colored socks. 

This has become my main outfit this season. 

I plan to continue it into the new year and beyond. Maybe I'll pull out a twist on it for the spring and summer seasons.

If you have some tall socks laying around, try the outfit idea out and see how you like it! Just because I enjoy it doesn't mean everyone else will, but I hope it sparks a light bulb in your brain to start your own trend. Not following in the spotlight trends can be really fun!

"It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

A frugal fashionista's favorite destinations

Outlet malls = some of my favorite places

I love outlets malls. They are simply amazing. Stores with awesome items, that are discounted? What can be better?!

I don't go all that often, two or three times a year. Tomorrow is one of those days. A good friend of mine and I are venturing to Great Lakes Crossing Outlets. I haven't been there since all of the stores became outlets. I looked at the website though, and talk about great deals! Plus, most of them have sales fairly often, too!

I'll be buying clothes for the children I'm sponsoring this Christmas. I adopted a boy and girl who need various clothing items. I am so excited to buy as much as I can for them. And with the clothes coming from the outlet, I should be able to get plenty! 

I'm going to pay close attention to what I spend and see how many new clothes I can buy for these children without really even affecting my bank account. I'll let you know how it goes, but I'm faithful I'll be pretty successful!

There are also a few other kids and family members I'll be buying for. All from the outlet, being as frugal but fashionable as possible of course!

There is no difference in the items at the outlets from the regular stores, they're just overstock or out of season. Oh, and cheaper! 

If you're not familiar with outlet malls, I definitely suggest trying them out! The varieties of stores are endless. Some of my favorites outlets are Birch Run Outlets, Tanger Outlets and I'm sure after tomorrow Great Lakes Crossing Outlets.

There are a ton of options - from Coach outlets to Bath and Body Works outlets to Victoria's Secret outlets to GAP outlets and so many more! 

Happy outlet shopping, frugal fashionistas! :)

For the frugal fashionistas

I interned for a parenting magazine during college for two semesters. The editor of the magazine is a kind woman who I was honored to get to know. On my last day she took me out to eat.

While we were out she complimented the way I dressed and called it "classy." I remember because my college adviser had just mentioned a few weeks prior that because I dress professionally, people will take me more seriously.

I remember laughing and telling her that both shirts I had on were shirts I've owned for at least three years.

She asked me if I'm frugal.

Why, yes, yes I am.

It's something I'm quite proud of actually, just something I don't refer to myself as too often. I rarely get rid of clothing because I wear it for years. I layer. A lot.

I wear shirts under shirts, sweaters over shirts, belts to make shirts look different ... there are so many ways to make the same piece of clothing look completely different.

Today, for example, I'm wearing a long tank top that and a three-quarter T-shirt I've had for years. Over both shirts, for the first time, I'm wearing a small sweater. The sweater and tank top are black while the shirt is white, the contrast works perfectly.

When I buy new clothes, I buy something that I know will last me for a long time. When solid-colored long-sleeve shirts or tank tops go on sale I leap! They can be used for almost every outfit.

If you wear a black shirt under a sweater one week, then wear a blue shirt under the same sweater the next week, people are going to think it's new. Colors are fun to play with, so don't be afraid to buy two of the same shirts in different colors! Especially if it's a good deal!

Stay frugal, fashionistas!