Are you familiar with my Frugal Fashionista Looks for Less series? If not, scan the archives and join me as I show you Designer Outfits for Pennies on the Dollar. Did I mention that 90% of the items are second hand?
As I walked out the door this morning, some hypothetical fashion police whispered, “You can’t wear white after Labor Day. You know that’s a fashion rule, don’t you?”
To that naysayer in my mind, I retorted, “Who says?” I want to have fun with fashion and for far too long, wearing white in the winter has been this underwritten rule that just screams to be broken, even though I know they weren’t meaning white jackets.
When white is done right, it’s a fun addition to a winter wardrobe. Now don’t hear me wrong…I won’t be grabbing my white linen pants during the winter, but a white jacket, sweater or even white wool pants? Absolutely.
Slowly but surely, I am cleaning out my closet, and it’s amazing how that one simple act answers the “What should I wear?” dilemma.
I found this white yard sale turtleneck stuck at the bottom of a shelf, and decided to go for the sporty look.
I layered my $3 yard sale winter white jacket on top of the pure white turtleneck, $1 yard sale jeans, and accented it with a $1.00 yard sale necklace, big $2 silver hoop earrings from Target and this amazing statement piece bracelet.
The whole look was very Eddie Bauer -ish before I added the jewelry, so I thought I would dress outside my comfort zone and dare to be different with a bold bracelet. It added a fun twist to an otherwise very sporty, traditional look.
Total Cost of the Frugal Fashionista outfit?
Jacket – $3 (hit the jack pot Fashion Haul yard sale)
Turtleneck – $1
Jeans – $1 (yard sale)
Necklace and earrings – $3
Bracelet – Here is the irony. This bracelet costs as much as the entire outfit, but investing in a few great accessories is always worth it. $10.
Total cost without the bracelet – $8
With the bracelet – $18
Looks good..better than if you had paid major retail..lol. I can’t remember the last item I paid retail for. I do all my shopping at yard sales, thrift stores and consignment. Give me 20 bucks and I’ll buy a wardrobe for the season!
Looks great! I love the white!
Totally cute outfit !
The bracelet is die for…..if you feel like sharing I would love
to know where you got it.
Thanks!
I have been wracking my brain trying to remember the name of the store, but I can tell you that it’s this amazing accessory store in most major airports (that fly internationally). EVERYTHING in the entire store is $10 and I was shocked because I don’t buy ANYTHING in airports…even food. They have amazing necklace sets, shoes, pashmina scarves…TONS of stuff. I couldn’t get over it. IT’s like a dollar store, but everything is $10. There’s even a sign that says, YES, it’s all $10. The bracelets (in my opinion) end up being the most “expensive” items because I typically think of them being cheaper than necklaces. Anyhow, long winded answer but the store is only in airports. So I know there’s one in Charlotte and Miama cuz that’s where I got my items and I asked the sales lady and she said they are many airports. 🙂
@Jens, Love your site! I’m a thriftoholic! The name of the store in the airports is ‘Bijoux Terrer’ or something like that…it’s GREAT!!! Keep up the good posts!
YEs…it’s totally something like that. I knew it started with a B and sounded French. 🙂
I love it! You look gorgeous! I always thought the rule was no white SHOES after Labor day and before Memorial day. So my question is….what color shoes did you wear? :o)
@Trisha, oh yes, definitely not white shoes. 🙂 I wore black with my jeans . 🙂
I like it! I wore jeans, a black tank and a short white sweater to a family Christmas this week. Oh, and the same top, but with a red/burgundy skirt to Christmas eve church service.
I wear white long-sleeved t-shirts all the time in the winter, so I say go right on ahead with your white sweater (after all, when exactly ARE you supposed to wear a white sweater if not during the colder seasons??).
What a cute outfit! I love it (especially that jacket). I usually only apply that white rule to the bottom half of an outfit but I’ve seen some really pretty winter wool white pants that look great so…..throw all the rules out the window.
Super cute bracelet! Lovely outfit! I just wish I was clever enough to find great bargains at garage sales and thrift stores. I guess I need to keep trying!
I love the white with your faded blue jeans! Outfit looks great on you!
That bracelet is absolutely awesome. I have many pieces like that. I simply add them to simple sweaters, t-shirts and jeans, otherwise plain clothing. Totally makes it pop.
And I was under the same impression as Tricia…the rule being no white SHOES after Labor day/before Memorial day. I’ve owned many winter white items. I think white looks amazing in winter.
I totally chucked the “no white shoes” rule when I lived in Florida. It didn’t make any sense to me that I could wear flip flops or be at the beach completely bare foot, but I couldn’t wear white shoes. It’s also makes no sense when it comes to Easter. So many Easter outfits (especially for young girls) involve white shoes. I can’t reconcile it.
I appreciate that for the last few years (maybe longer?) fashion has sort of taken the direction of throwing out many of the “rules” and wearing what fits your body and your budget.
Blessings,
Sandy
Luv it! Love the idea of wearing white in winter. White sparkly snow is beautiful so why can’t we wear some white sparkly on ourselves, right?! And the bracelet is beautiful too.
I sat in one or more of your sessions at Relevant- but just decided to follow your blog this week!
I love your frugal fashionista series. I always look forward to your newest post on it. But I notice you don’t do any on how you dress your kids for less. I am assumming you use the same fundamentals with them as well. Would be fun to see some of your scores on outfits for them. Even if it’s just a pic of the clothes themselves. I know some don’t put their kids pics on their blogs. Just a thought…
It’s funny that you say that because I probably have about 100 pics of them in their frugal fashionista outfits and just haven’t gotten the posts done. 2011. 🙂
love the bracelet. It makes the outfit.
I think you look great!! I refuse to wear white shoes after Labor Day, but I think white elsewhere is okay. 😉
So glad to see a Frugal Fashionista post, they are so fun. What a cute outfit. Thanks!
My 12 year old asked me the other day “Ahem, Mom…I thought you aren’t supposed to wear white after labor day!?!?” Ha ha! Tough noogies because I do and I love it. You look great in those photos, super cute jacket, love your hair and the bracelet is on fire! See u at Blissdom. 🙂
I love the outfit and the bracelet. I also thought I’d tell you I love your hair pulled back…it looks great that way!:-)
Beautiful!! Good for you for being daring. 🙂 And I love the bracelet.
OK, I LOVE that bracelet! Can you tell where you got it? I rarely purchase accessories but I just love it!
AttaGirl! You look great(as always). I’ve heard stylists on various news/talk shows throwing out all the rules for the last year–except the white shoes, unless you live in a hot sundressy climate or are on vac in said climate. I have worn winter white for years, right down to the riding boots, and always complimented. But the stylists even threw in bright white jeans with various-colored shoes/boots& they looked great! And I agree w/so many-when else would you wear a britewhite sweater/coat? I *will* wear white footsies b4 MemDay if it’s a “go-with”, especially Easter&after, and after LaborDay if it’s hot and a go-with. But so many “said stylists” said no white footsies at all cuz they “shorten the leg” and recommended “nude” colors instead. It’s hard enough for the old “suit-me” to not “match my leathers”! It’s fun&ez’r to mix, but I have to do deep breathing first! 😀 -s- and p.s. I get everything but bras/sox/undies @thrifts! And looove buyout stores for the “personals”-nothin like a $40 bra for $10! Ya hafta wash ’em in hot h20 anyway, even if expensive. You shud see the test results from news prog’s-eeeuuuw!!
love the white blazer and the blazer too…love it!!
LMAO! A White SHIRT doesn’t count towards “not wearing white after Labor Day.” BTW, which is/has been/always will be a major fashion faux pas!
Don’t worry – I do know that a white shirt is just fine, but for all those poor souls that don’t, it’s a way to let them know it’s ok 🙂
I love the bracelet. I’m trying not to be covetous as I write this. Seriously. I LOVE IT.
I love your outfit! Gorgeous! And for less than $20 for that kind of style is amazingly awesome!!! My kind of look! 😀 The jewelry is the perfect finishing touch! You go girl!
Blessings!
Mary Joy
I love that outfit! I think the bracelet was a great investment! It adds just the right pop of color to go with the whites.
And I have to say, as soon as I saw that first picture, I thought, “Jen looks so pretty!” : )
You look fabulous. I totally agree with you that white is just fine! In many parts of this nation summer continues for a long time past Labor Day. Since when did we let someone decide what we can and cannot wear based on ideas that are ancient! Anyone and everyone wears a white shirt and white is white. It is not a fashion faux pas and BTW Oprah’s fashion experts say that no one past their 20s should wear blue jeans! Are we going to listen to that either? I don’t think so.
I am always waiting and checking for the next frugal fashionista entry. For some reason I love them, and am always inspired to keep on looking and to not succumb to the notion that fashion is not for those of us on a tight budget. I’ve missed them, so keep em coming! Blessings – love your blog.
Thanks for the info. I guess I will have to be on the watch next flight. I was hoping for some smart gal on etsy. Hmmm now that is an idea….someone run to the airport buy them out and sale them for $20 plus s/h. LOL
You have such style!
Jen, it’s an amazing outfit and I really get inspired when I see your Fashion series. More and more, I find myself looking to find great buys at consignment and thrift stores, as well as garage sales. The value can’t be beat. The bracelet is amazing and I think I know the store you are thinking of. Recently, I went on a cruise and one of the gift shops there had some of their jewelry, purses,watches and wraps. Then when I was flying home, I saw their store in the airport. The items were all stunning and each only $10! I bet it was BIJOUX TERNER. Let me know if I’m right. Love your blog.
Kathy – you are right! That’s exactly what store it is. I am flying this weekend through Atlanta and saw it. I decided to wait and get something on the way home, and now I am NO WHERE near the store. Yes, I am mourning that loss. 🙂
You mentioned winter white and off white. I don’t think this is what most people in the mid Atlantic states were concerned with wearing. I find that summer white looks wierd in the winter. Especially since the material is often very thin and inappropriate for the harsh weather. White coats and turtlenecks work because they aregenerally made with material for warmth. Perhaps the old rule has something to do with science — white reflects sunlight, while dark absorbs sunlight. But, since there are no longer fashion rules — I guess there is no longer a need for fashion experts. It’s okay to wear what you want, when you want.