I recently found two looks I really liked and decided to recreate their outfits for as cheap a price point as possible.

First, I found a photo of night.owl, whose outfit was quite basic but had a fun pop of color.

1. Start out with a basic white dress, as night.owl did. I chose one that’s a bit more full in the skirt, which is more universally flattering.
2. I love the edgy jacket that night.owl is sporting. The dark charcoal gray also adds a modern, casual feel to the dress. Try this one by Forever 21.
3. Gray shoes are harder to find in the summer, but come fall/winter they should be much more plentiful. For now, try this pair.
4. Red tights completely made night.owl’s outfit. They added a punchy color and a quirky element that really stood out to me.

Next, I loved the romanticism of Moda-R’s outfit.

1. The slightly hippie print and feel of Moda-R’s dress is well-replicated in this green version by Forever 21.
2. A cardigan makes this outfit work-appropriate, but also gives it a more vintage, 50’s feel.
3. Metallic sandals will go with almost everything and they’ve got a laid-back, summery vibe.
4. Finish off the outfit with a waist-cinching belt.

Where do you look for fashion inspiration? What are your favorite blogs or photo websites?

Beach Cover-ups

• This Urban Outfitters coverup is chic, roomy and made of a light, flowy fabric. Wear at home with skinny jeans and a belt (to add shape) so you get more mileage out of it when you’re not at the beach.
• I love this casual coverup from Target. It has a classic dress shape, but an unexpected hoodie on the back and is made of a nubby, towel-y texture.
• This coverup from Target is a bit more classy than some of the others, which would be perfect if you actually want more coveragefrom your cover-up.
• Sarongs are the ideal beach accessory. You can wrap them in different ways around your body, depending on how flexible you are. Me, I’m not super-talented at tying sarongs, but I admire those who can turn them into halter dresses and whatnot.
• This minimalist (as in minimal fabric) cover-up from Bluefly looks like a cute beach dress. Alas, it’s quite see-through and flimsy, so try and limit it to only beachwear, hmm?
• If you want a bit more freedom of movement (read: bloated after that second cheeseburger), this trapeze shape from Victoria’s Secret is ideal.
• One of my favorites here is this cover-up from Jessica Simpson, who apparently now makes beachwear. The open-back is deliciously sexy.
• For a youthful, fun cover-up (with a bit of a scandalous v-neck), this one from Victoria’s Secret comes in this print version and other solid colors.

Dresses

• For a chic lunch or flea market shopping, this dress will give your shoulders a break from the beachy sun. I like the light fabric and the ruffled collar, and because it’s from Alloy, you won’t break the bank. Promise.
• I’m completely in love with 60’s and 70’s styles for spring/summer. This dress from Forever 21 has a great vintage print and would look great on darker skinned women, whether you have a tan or you are naturally dark.
• I could see Rachel Bilson wearing this dress, although her’s would probably cost $500 or so, while this barely hits $25 from Forever 21. Wear this with a thin gold necklace or bangles and some huge sunglasses.
• Orange is a great color to wear when you’re tan, and this dress has a beachy feel with the beaded collar. Buy it from Alloy. (P.S. I’ve seen similar styles at J. Crew for upwards of $70!)

Blouse/Shirt with Sleeves

• This blouse from Forever 21 is a good beach option. It’s got a peasant-y look, a great color combo and combines some of the ethnic print trends that are so popular this summer. And, since it’s F21, the price really can’t be beat.

Tanktop or Sleeveless Shirt

• The sailor-inspired look of this tanktop from Alloy is dressy enough for an evening out or with shorts during the day.
• These spaghetti-strap camisoles from Old Navy are exceedingly inexpensive and come in a few different colors. Try this cobalt blue for a pop of color.

Stylish Shorts

• Shorts are tricky. They can either look extremely chic and summery, or not. To keep the look current, wear them in a bermuda-length style if you’re taller or you are blessed with long legs, or shorter (upper-thigh length), which is universally flattering. Try for lighter, linen fabrics with cuffed hems. These Forever 21 shorts are less than $20 and come in a brown, navy or green shade.

Hoodie/Light Sweater

• Victoria’s Secret Pink is not only a great collection of not-so-affordable, yet covetable, lounging about clothing, but many of the items also translate well to beach attire. I like this hoodie for the adorable recycle icon on the front and the emblazoned, “Bring back the Love,” slogan on the back.
• I’m not a huge fan of American Eagle, but I can’t deny that they make some of the coziest, softest hoodies.
• Roxy is the quintessential beach brand, so why not wear this adorable little hoodie? It’s got great small details and is quite affordable.
• This sweater from the Gap is called “the beach sweater,” which makes it perfectly acceptable to indeed wear it at the beach. I like the crisp white color, which naturally, will look excellent set against a bit of a tan.

Next post, we’ll cover off on shoes and other assorted sundries. Happy packing!