How To Look Trendy On A Budget
Warmer weather is starting to appear throughout the country. And in stores nationwide, you are seeing spring clothes - bright colors, lighter fabrics.
There are a ton of trends this season, so you don't have to buy just one look. There's a little bit of everything to match your style and personality.
The editors at Marie Claire magazine selected three trends they personally love: the ethnic or African safari trend; voluminous skirt trend; and the nautical look.
The magazine's editor-in-chief, Lesley Jane Seymour, visits The Early Show to put Rene Syler, Harry Smith, and Dave Price to the "Chic on a Shoestring" test. She proves that you don't have to pay a lot for this year's spring looks.
You can wear the whole trend head-to-toe, or pair key pieces of each trend with something else in your closet.
For the challenge, Harry and Dave lost, even though they got help from the crowd who was watching the fashion show at the plaza. Rene Syler who went solo, guessed wrong only with the last trend.
Watch the video and see if you can you tell the steal from the splurge.
Trend No.1: African Safari look
If you think this means the Banana Republic look from the late '80s or early '90s - cotton, khakis, and zebra print - it's a little less jungle photographer and more refined.
Splurge:
Khaki safari jacket from United Bamboo $480
Coral sweater from Tory by TRB $275
Max Mara skirt $1,330 Grand Total: $2,085
Steal:
Khaki safari jacket from GAP $78
Coral top from C + C California $48
Printed skirt from GAP $49
Grand Total: $175.50
What's the Difference:
The fabric is key here: Cashmere Tory Burch sweater vs. cotton C&C shirt. For the skirt, it's heavy twill for the splurge vs. the thin cotton skirt.
Trend No.2: Voluminous skirt
Throw out the pencil skirts that have been the rage the past two seasons. This season, it's all about full, flirty skirts. The skirts are paired with a crocheted halter. Crochet tops are all the range this spring and summer. You'll see this trend on bathing suits, cover-ups, ponchos, etc.
Steal:
White crochet halter top from Newport News $19
Pink cotton tiered skirt from YANK $69
Grand Total: $88
Splurge:
White crochet halter top from Lilly Pulitzer $190
Pink silk skirt from Calypso $250
Grand Total $440
What's the Difference: Here it's all about the details. There are embellishments on the skirt for the splurge vs. none on the Gap skirt. There are also beads on the Lilly Pulitzer top and none on the steal top.
Trend No.3: Nautical
This does not mean you have to wear navy blue or stripes from head-to-toe. This is refined look so you won't look like the captain of the Love Boat.
Steal:
White peacoat from J.Crew $148
Navy/Beige striped shirt from Saint James $65
Cropped cuffed jeans from Levis $40
Grand Total $253
Splurge:
Peacoat from Huge Boss $750
Navy/Beige striped shirt from Jean Paul Gaultier $150
Cropped cuffed jeans from Lucky Brand $98
Grand Total: $998
What's the Difference:
Here, the fit is key. The Jean Paul Gaultier top has a closer fit vs. a roomier, standard boxy cut on the inexpensive top.