Spirits 'N Style: Little Black Dress

A lot of times people feel the need to blow their budget on pricey items just to achieve great style. However great style doesn’t have to equal expensive. While I am not opposed to spending a little more on something that will last years, I am generally more of a bargain shopper- Hey if I find a cute shirt for $5 at a store that doesn’t have a “fashionable” reputation, I will buy it.

I am an avid magazine reader and often see articles on “Splurge vs. Save.” However, the majority of them focus on a designer item and a more budget-friendly counterpart. So I decided I would do my own version of “Splurge vs. Save” but with a twist.

Below I have listed different types of items I would splurge on and ones that I save my money on.

Splurge:

Classic Handbag: I love purses and the majority of the time I purchase cheap purses so I can switch between different ones more frequently. However, last year I purchased a Michael Kors handbag and matching wallet and I haven’t regretted this purchase yet. The purse I bought is the mediumwork tote (in vanilla) and although it is pricey, the quality is amazing and will last for years. Not to mention it is classic everyday bag that will go with practically any outfit and can be used in any season. I recently just switched to this bag again because it is perfect for school; it is large enough to carry my MacBook, which is a bonus because so I don’t have to use numerous bags to cart around all my stuff.

Little Black Dress: Every woman needs to own a little black dress. Period. I think this is the type of item that is okay to spend a little bit more on because they are versatile and never go out of style.

Classic Pumps: Owning a traditional pair of black and nude pumps is a staple item that every woman should have in her closet. Therefore, it is something worth investing in. Just like a little black dress they never go out of style and can be worn with nearly anything.

Blazer: Having a nice blazer in your wardrobe is also a key item for me. A blazer is again something that is always in style and although the actual cut may change slightly, a traditional blazer will always be in fashion. Because of that, I don’t feel bad splurging a little on something that will be in my closet for years.

Tank Top: You make think I am crazy for listing this as a “splurge” item, but for me it is. I generally wear a cami every day (mostly black, white, or brown), and after years of purchasing cheap tank tops I have had enough. Because I wear them so often, I wash them a TON! Cheap ones get misshapen and uncomfortable, and eventually fall apart. The camis I like to buy are the ones from Express, which I would consider more of a splurge compared to the ones you can get at Forever 21, Wet Seal, Charlotte Russe, and etc. While they are a bit expensive for an undershirt, Express always has sales and they are really good quality.

Save:

Anything Trendy: Pretty much anything that is “in style” or “trendy” I tend to save my money on. Reason being is they are only stylish for a short amount of time so you don’t get much use out of them. Forever 21 is one of my favorite places to get trendy items because they are cheap and I don’t feel bad about getting rid of the item after the season ends.

Jeans: This may come as another shocker but I actually prefer to save money on my jeans. I could try on 20 different pairs of jeans and not like any of them, which I think a lot of females have that same problem. I use to wear expensive, brand name jeans but I actually prefer my $10 jeans from Forever 21 or H&M… Sure they may not be the best quality jeans but I expect that for the price. My reasoning behind this is because I hate when jeans start to look worn and lose their shape, so I like to buy new jeans a few times a year. I had a pair of Seven jeans that were my absolute favorite jeans ever but after about 6 months or so, they got so worn and misshaped I stopped wearing them. So after only 6 months and over a hundred dollars spent, I went out to find another of jeans to replace them. Had the jeans been less expensive, I wouldn’t have minded having to replace them so soon, but that wasn’t the case. This was when I discovered Forever 21 jeans that are around $10 or so. Because they are cheap, I buy quite a few and don’t mind when I have to get rid of them. Hopefully that’s makes sense, or maybe I’m just crazy!

Jewelry: Jewelry is another thing I like to save on. Sure I have a pair of diamond earrings, a couple nice necklaces, and a few nice rings, most that I have received as gifts, but I hardly wear them- mostly because I’m terrified to lose them… Probably because I did lose a diamond earring my brother bought me back in high school, which to this day I still haven’t worked up the courage to tell him. So pretty much all the jewelry I wear on a regular basis is from trendy stores. Places like Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, Charming Charlie, and GoJane all offer trendy jewelry that is super cheap. I have a bit of jewelry obsession (what girl doesn’t) so saving on jewelry by buying pieces under $10, maybe even $5, is awesome because the cheaper they are the more my budget will allow.

Sunglasses: Ahh, sunglasses… I am terrible with my sunglasses; so buying nice ones are a waste of money for me. I bought a pair of Ray Bans a couple years ago under the philosophy that since they were expensive I would take good care of them. Logical right? Well that lasted a month, if that, then I went back to just throwing them in my purse. After lenses were completely scratched from rolling around in my purse I decided I would buy another pair and take really good care of them this time. Well I have taken excellent care of them, such good care that they have only been out of their case five times in the past year because I’m terrified of ruining them. I don’t know why, but putting them back in their case is just too difficult… So now I just stick to cheap sunglasses that I don’t mind chucking when they get scratched or mangled.

So now that you know some of the things I splurge and save on… Do you splurge or save on any of the same things? Or what are some different things you splurge and save on that I didn’t mention? I think it is interesting what some people will spend their money on verses things people would rather save money on. Sound off in the comments below!

A few weeks ago I went shopping with the intention of buying a few new dresses since Charlotte Russe was having a buy one get one for $12.50 sale. It was a steal that I couldn’t pass up! Well what began as “a few new dresses” turned into not only a few new dresses but also new shoes, jewelry, clothes, and so on…

One of my favorite things I bought was a black A-line dress, which is shown below. While this dress doesn’t look like anything too special (and I’m not generally attracted to the cutout trend) but I am really loving this dress. I am a bit curvier than the model but it seems to hug all the right places, giving me a nice silhouette. I think an A-line cut it great for any body shape really. The dress also has some nice texture and detail with the scalloped, eyelet lace hem at the bottom.

Aside from the cut of the dress, I also love how versatile it is. It can easily be worn in any season by layering it with tights, boots, scarfs, and a blazer or sweater. It can also be dressed down for a more casual look or dressed up for a night look. And lets face it, a little black dress never goes out of style so it is a good staple piece to have in your wardrobe.

So, I though it may be fun to show some of the different things I purchased recently (or had in my closet already) and how I would style them around this dress.

This first look is a very simple, casual chic look that I would rock on a warmer day. When summer finally decides to show up in Michigan it’s hot, humid, and sticky, so I like to keep it simple and comfortable. The simplicity of this outfit allows the detail of the dress to be the focal point. I don’t like to wear a lot of jewelry in the summer because the metal can get hot and uncomfortable. However, I like this necklace because it adds a pop of color to the outfit and it very lightweight.

This next outfit is probably my favorite, mainly because of the shoes. By the way, have I mentioned I have a serious shoe obsession? If not, Hi my name is Margo and I am a shoeaholic. Now that that is cleared up… This outfit is more of what I would call rocker chic. The spikes, studs, and gladiator type wedges give this outfit a more edgy vibe, which is something I’m really into. I think it’s my inner rockstar wannabe trying to subtly make its way out. I am also really digging the denim trend right now, whether it’s floral or colored denim like the vests below. Either of these vests would go great with the dress. Since they are short they hit right at the waistline, which allows the dress to still flow nicely. I chose to show both vests because I cannot decide which one I like better. What are your thoughts? As far as the shoes, I cannot say enough good things about them. I haven’t worn them a ton so I cannot speak about the quality but they are extremely comfortable! Seriously, I feel like I’m not even wearing heels.

This last outfit is something I would wear on a night out with the girls or even a date. I am a firm believer of being classy rather than trashy. I think this is a great outfit for a dressier (not formal) occasion without being over the top. The cropped cardigan gives a nice pop of color but also covers the cutouts and hits right at the waistline, so you’re not showing too much skin and it doesn’t weigh down the bottom of the dress. The belt adds a bit of fun to the outfit… I mean who doesn’t like a little sparkle here and there. I think keeping the necklace simple is the best way to go since the belt is a bit flashy. I really love these nude pumps because they are super comfortable (for heels anyways) and go with literally everything. I especially love wearing nude pumps with skirts and dresses because it makes your legs look longer and leaner. Who doesn’t want longer, leaner looking legs?