Frugal Summer Style

Summer is a season to look forward to, a warm awakening after the cold, harsh winter months. But as the temperatures rise and our wallets are a tad empty, how can we look and feel pulled together on a budget? I had three kids in four years, and with the constant change in my clothing sizes, it seemed to be a waste to me to buy brand new clothing for top dollar, only to stretch it out with my postpartum size or leave it in a bin and bring out the maternity clothes when another little one was on the way.

So, I made a new clothing rule for myself and it has worked beautifully for my closet: I never buy clothing unless it meets one of the following four criteria: it is thrifted, gifted, clearanced, or sale priced. Following these four rules has expanded my wardrobe without compromising our family budget.

Here are a few outfits I have pulled together for this summer, simply by shopping both at thrift stores and clearance racks at popular retail stores:

Shirt (new): Rue21 clearance: $3

Sandals (new) Rue21 clearance: $2

Earrings (new) Old Navy clearance: $1

Shorts: Cutoffs from winter jeans

One thing I noticed in stores this summer is that shorts are made to look like cutoffs and they are $40 a pair. Remember when you were a kid and cutoffs were all the rage? Why not cut off some of your jeans that are too short for you? This particular pair had a huge hole in the knee, so I simply cut them off and made my own shorts. Now I gotta shave my legs, but that’s summer for ya.

tank top: Abercrombie and Fitch (thrifted) $2

denim skirt: Abercrombie and Fitch (thrifted) $1

necklace: a gift

aviators: Old Navy clearance: $2

Converse One Star: from the 7th grade

While some people are hesitant about shopping at Goodwill and other local thrift stores, I have had great success in scouring the racks of these bargain stores, finding tons of name brand clothing for super cheap. (I found a pair of Sperry shoes once at Goodwill for $2. Not even kidding you.) You can find any size clothing and maternity clothes as well. The good thing about thrifting is that you are not only getting a great deal, many of these stores provide jobs to less fortunate and raise money for various organizations. So, it is a purchase with a purpose. And I am a sucker for aviators. When my husband wears them my heart melts. And does anyone else have some sneaks from their angst filled middle school years? I need to know.

Dress: Old Navy $20 (sale, regular $34)

Necklace: Aeropostale clearance: $7

Shoes: Rue21 clearance (pictured above)

bracelet: gifted

I wanted something summery to wear when I represented Knoxville Moms Blog on the morning news, so I knew a maxi dress would be right up my alley, and Old Navy is running some great sales both in stores and online right now on summer wear. I wore the sandals from the first outfit and found a necklace for cheap at Aeropostle. I am also a HUGE Target clearance fan, even though none of those pieces are featured on this post. And apparently there is an urban legend floating around that Target marks down their women’s clothing on Tuesdays. So there you go.

And? If you are curious how I shop for clothing with all three of my kids in tow? That how-to guide is (here).