the art of mixing

vest | jeans | pumps (borrowed from Shelbi) | earrings | bag (borrowed from Margret) | watch | sunnies | bracelet

When it comes to fashion, I'm sure we'd all be walking around in head to toe designer clothing if we could. For those of us who want to be stylish on a budget, this isn't exactly doable. That doesn't mean we can't look equally as chic without breaking the bank, and the secret to pulling off budget fashion is all in how you mix pieces at different price points. Y'all know by now that I'm not above putting a Forever 21 dress with a Chanel handbag, and what a difference that handbag makes! Pairing a more expensive coat or jacket with some Target jeans makes the entire outfit look more put-together. 

The KARIGAM vest I'm wearing is definitely a splurge, but it's a really versatile piece that's easy to dress up or down. I'm wearing it with pumps here, but I could totally throw on sneakers and the look would work just as well. It's also great for layering, which makes it wearable year-round. Because the vest is a designer label, you probably wouldn't guess that the jeans and clutch are both around $20. The pumps are a good, middle price point at $120 which also creates balance within the look. These are the kind of things you want to take note of and ask yourself when you're buying investment closet staples: 
1. Is it easy to mix & match? Go for solid colors rather than bold prints. 
2. Is it too trendy? For example, I wouldn't spend $400 on a choker right now because that trend likely won't be around forever (though it will eventually come back! in which case you'd be prepared with your very pricey vintage choker). Opt for classic, timeless pieces that will provide your money's worth.
3. Will I actually wear it? I've been tempted to splurge on trench coats more times than I'd like to admit, and I have to remind myself every time that I live in Houston, Texas. We barely even need sweaters in our wardrobe, much less a nice wool coat; I'm better off investing in a designer swimsuit. Think about your wardrobe needs before making a big purchase and make sure the piece fits your lifestyle.

There really are no rules for mixing clothes at different price points- anything goes! I like to think of it as a fun challenge, and I spend less on clothing overall because I put more thought into what I'm buying. Even celebrities with great style like Jessica Alba and Emma Watson have admitted their love for mixing designer labels with the likes of Zara and GAP. If these stars do it, and they can afford the best of the best, there must be something to this method. Plus, Jessica Alba can do no wrong as far as I'm concerned. Preeeeeetty big fan girl over here. I mean, the woman can act and produce amazing diapers. #shero

Hope you all had an amazing weekend! Thanks for stopping by!
xo, Britt