Affordable Accessories

Bangles are back in a big way this summer and with good reason: you simply slip one on your wrist, and your outfit looks put together and polished in an instant. With so many great bangles available at wallet-friendly stores like Forever21 and Target, you can afford to have fun and experiment by mixing and matching bangles of different widths, textures and colors. There are really no hard and fast rules—wear one, wear a dozen, create symmetry with two matching bangles on either wrist, or create asymmetry with one bangle on your right wrist and three on your left. You'll love how they dance on your arm as you move and even give you confidence as you converse. Yes, a bracelet can do all that!
Here are a few bangles for every budget babe…

We love this adorable MARC by Marc Jacobs Heart Watch Necklace (left) from Neimanmarcus.com, but the $125 pricetag is a tad too steep for jewelry that's more of a novelty than anything else. Luckily for us, we chanced upon a similar-looking Titanium Apple Watch Pendant Necklace at Nordstrom.com for only $14.99—and it actually looks pricey, too, not cheap-o-rama! That's luxe for less, my friend.

Banana Republic consistently stands out for their unique and fashionable jewelry that won't go out of style when the next season rolls around. We recommend heading to a store near you and sifting through their sale bins first. Here are some sparkly treasures available online...we're especially impressed by the turquoise drop earrings, reminiscent of a costly pair by Italian jeweler Ippolita (check out their drool-worthy designs for fun—they are stunning). Happy hunting!

There's something sexy and powerful about carrying a clutch, the must-have accessory of the season. This grab-and-go handbag is just the thing for a lunch date or evening out. A great clutch instantly amps up any outfit, and is the perfect way to add some of the season's popular bright colors to your wardrobe, too.

Get a grip on the clutch trend with these inexpensive options...

Icy lucite is a hot trend for spring. It's a clear, strong plastic that can be molded and carved which first became popular in the 1940's for ladies purses and jewelry. Today, it's cropping up everywhere from jewelry, watches and sunglasses to handbags and shoes.

Lucite's transparency makes it a versatile and neutral accessory that pairs well with many other spring trends, including black&white and brights. Its futuristic look also adds a modern touch when paired with floaty dresses and florals.

But since lovely lucite is just a fancy name for plastic, don't spend too much on this trend...we bought the bangle from Forever21.com (below) and that was enough to satisfy our needs.

Here are a few budget-friendly ways to get your lucite fix:


Vintage Lucite Bangle, Forever21.com, $4.80


Tobago, Ninewest.com, $89.00 SALE $59.99


RJ Graziano Square Crystal Flower Ring, Nordstrom.com, $25.00


Delphos necklace, Aldo.com, $15.00

We only recently became aware of accessories designer Vera Bradley. If you're not familiar with the name, you've probably seen her neo-country, quilted handbags, purses and totes in their distinctive and colorful floral and paisley prints around town.

Vera Bradley bags are reasonably priced to begin with, but if you want to score an incredible deal, head to the 2007 Vera Bradley Outlet Sale, held from May 3rd through May 4th at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Or, if trekking through Midwestern cornfields isn't doable, shop online at verabradley.com. We can picture pairing our favorite polo with this Large Tic Tac Tote in Citrus, $69, for a leisurely weekend trip to an outdoor farmer's market or antique book sale...

If you're caught up in the whimsy but aren't sure how long this fad will last, try a similar-looking style like this Xhilaration® Reversible Tote from Target. (It's not Vera Bradley, just looks like it.) Can't go wrong at $14.99.