Kimberly writes the very excellent, fashion-forward, budget-conscious blog “Fab Finds Under $50,” and recently she tackled a reader’s question:

I wear a size 22/24. And because of you I’ve recently developed a love for dresses. Before I would maybe only wear a dress a couple times per year. I’ve just graduated college in May so I’m definitely on a tight budget. I work in an office. The dress code isn’t super strict but I still want to look professional. Also, maybe a couple ideas for what to wear when going out with friends or on a date? Thank you!

And her answer was pretty much awesome. She assembled, as she notes, “20 pieces for around $465 that create 40+ outfits,” and then she outlines her choices and mixes them up in a series of fashion collages that suggest ways to mix and match and play with color and silhouettes and lengths, and have I said the word “awesome” yet? Because it is.

And it’s not awesome because you have to immediately go buy all the pieces she suggests–especially if you do not want to shop at Old Navy or Walmart (and I do wish she had ranged a little further in her retailer selections, though that’s hard in a little budget). What’s important, in her roundup (and what I love about it) is that it is a good selection of ideas and inspiration–how to build a wardrobe you love out of pieces you select carefully and deliberately, and feel comfortable and good and classy in, with the mixing it up and the matching and mis-. It’s inspiration for building, and inspiration for taking a new look at what you’ve already got. It’s especially good to remember that on days when you feel like you have nothing to wear. Maybe you’ve worn outfit A a hundred times, but have you ever tried that top with those heels layered over that dress? LET’S SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

Fun times! Seriously. Now go play.

Posted by jenfu

Filed under: Fashion, Fat Positive, Feel Good Friday, Old Navy, Target