Under $50 Polka Dot Top + How To Find Affordable Clothing

Polka Dot Cold Shoulder Top (Under $50) // Jeans (Under $80) // White Mules // Tassel Satchel // Pearl Necklace // Statement Earrings C/O // Pearl Cuff

Happy Tuesday, friends! I hope y’all had an amazing weekend and great start to your new week. I keep thinking that it is mid March since it has been so warm out. I can’t believe that we’re still in February, and it is this warm. Everything is starting to bloom and look so gorgeous around here. 

I want to share a few detail about today’s look. First off, this polka dot cold shoulder top will be your best friend from now through the spring. It is the perfect transition piece! Pair it with some white jeans and your favorite wedges for the most adorable spring look, as well. It’s too cute for words as I just love the ruffle detail. The best part is that it’s under $50! These jeans are the next thing to highlight. They’re amazing! High rise, the perfect ripped knees, an amazing fit, and under $80…yes, please!! I’m thinking about ordering them in the lighter wash as well. These white mules have been my best friends ever since I’ve gotten them. I don’t even put them up on the shelf and just leave them out on my closet floor all the time. That’s how much I wear them haha! And lastly, these earrings!!! They were sent to my by what is my new favorite earring brand, Lisi Lerch. What I love most about her earrings is that most of them come in a clip-op style as well. They’re the most elegant statement. 

Today, I also want to touch on a topic that I get asked about very frequently. I’m always receiving DMs and emails wanting to know of my favorite places too shop and the best way to find budget friendly pieces. So, if you’re wondering, keep on reading 🙂

How to Shop for Affordable Clothing

When shopping for clothing, I first off like to make sure that I will get my moneys worth out of what I buy. I always ask myself, will I wear this more than once? Or will it be something I can wear throughout the day to fit my busy schedule (with the exception of something to wear on occasions and vacations)? 

Here’s what I go by as far as pricing goes: I like to splurge on my accessories, only if I know that I will get a lot of use out of them. A nice handbag, a good, versatile pair of designer shoes, designer jewelry, etc. I take really good care of my pieces as well, so I know that spending more on accessories will also allow for a higher re-sell value, if I ever decide to part with them. I will however sometimes splurge on a nice dress, if I’m needing one for an occasion. And the only article of clothing that I am always fine with splurging on is designer jeans. I always say that I’d rather have one amazing pair of higher quality jeans rather than buying up five or more lower cost pairs, hoping to achieve that same fit/quality. I may do a full post on a jean guide soon as I have favorites in all price ranges. If that’s something y’all would like to see, then let me know! 🙂 But my rule for clothing is that it must fall under the $100 category for me to buy it.

There are a few tips I go by when hunting for budget-friendly pieces. Just because certain stores have more expensive pieces doesn’t mean that you should shy away from them. My favorite stores have a huge selection in a wide variety of prices. My favorite stores to shop from are Nordstrom, ASOS, Anthropologie, J.Crew, Shopbop, and LOFT. Nordstrom is by far my favorite, due to the wide selection (for both myself and Madeline), always free shipping and returns, and great customer service. I can get my clothing, my makeup, my accessories, Madeline’s clothing and so much more, all from one place (it’s dangerous haha). ASOS is great because of again, a wide selection, and the once a year $19 fee for free two-day shipping and returns all year long. I love Anthropologie for finding both basic and unique pieces that I always tend to get a lot of wear out of, however their shipping isn’t always the best. J.Crew falls on my favorites list because I simply love the J.Crew style and always tend to get a ton of wear out of their pieces. It’s never difficult catching a J.Crew sale, and I love their selection for Madeline as well. Shopbop also falls on my favorites list because you can find unique pieces, especially for occasions and vacations. However, their site is not the easiest to navigate. I’ll explain why in a bit. LOFT has really stepped up their game over the past year or two, I feel. I find some of my very favorite pieces from there, and it’s never too difficult catching an amazing sale (seriously, just wait for the weekend). 

Here are my two favorite ways to shop for under $100 pieces:

1. The best way to stick to my under $100 rule is to not even look at the pieces that are over $100. The way I do this is by narrowing down the categories as I’m Navigating through the site. When I look at pieces on ASOS, Nordstrom or Anthropologie, I immediately narrow it down to pieces only under $100. Shopbop still does not have this feature, which makes it a little more difficult to shop there. J.Crew and LOFT aren’t as difficult to navigate through as the selection isn’t as overwhelming and with amazing sales, you’re usually guaranteed that many items will be under $100. 

2. Another great way to shop for only under $100 pieces is to shop by brand. For instance, many of the brands at Nordstrom, such as B.P., Halogen, Leith, Caslon, Socialite and more are packed full of under $100 pieces. On ASOS, the ASOS brand has the cutest pieces that are mostly under $100. On Shopbop, English Factory, BB Dakota, Endless Rose and a few others have a great under $100 selection. 

These are just a few ways that I find pieces to fit my under $100 rule and help me navigate through my favorite stores. I hope y’all found these tips to be helpful! If you have any other ways you like to shop, be sure to comment below so everyone reading this can see it 🙂 And if you have any questions at all, be sure to send them my way.

P.S. Speaking of my favorite stores, the huge spring sale over at Shopbop begins today! You can save up to 25% off your order with the code GOBIG18. There are so many cute things for spring! Stay tuned, because I’ll be back tomorrow to share my favorites + what I scored in the sale 🙂

Thanks so much for stopping by, friends! 

Delightfully Yours,

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