I am a 26 year-old SAHM to two little girls (3 & 8 months). My wardrobe consists of yoga pants and ill-fitting t-shirts. I am in a fashion rut! I want to be stylish, but practical, and I'm certainly on a budget. I'm not really sure what my "style" is. I prefer flats versus heels and I'm loving the riding boot trend. Also, I'm not super skinny so I feel like a lot of the trends aren't geared towards my body type (i.e., the skinny jean) even though I love the look of skinny jeans! I would love to have a stylish yet age appropriate look while also being practical. Is this possible?? —Brittany W.

The short answer: Yes, it's possible! The long answer: Finding your personal style is a life-long, ever-evolving process, so go easy on yourself and take baby steps.

Here's how I'd start: What you need is a uniform - just ONE head to toe look that makes you feel stylish and confident. A look you can toss on in a hurry and wear anywhere (okay, almost anywhere). Once you nail that look, you can start mixing things up a bit.

Need inspiration? Rip out pages of looks you like from your favorite magazines, or use Pinterest to create a personal style board. This is probably one of the best ways to figure out what you really like.

Regarding budget: You don't need to spend a lot to look good. But it helps to have a good eye - if you're shopping at Forever 21, for example, look for your more classic, timeless pieces in neutrals or black. Black always looks good, modern and usually more expensive. I'm not saying don't wear color, but it's easier to mix and match when you have a solid foundation of classic neutrals.

Ok, now for some ideas!

Uniform #1: Cardigan, cotton top, dark denim, tall flat boots
This foolproof outfit is perfect for moms on the go. Every piece is comfy and stretchy yet totally stylish. Just don't forget a couple accessories to add personality. Maybe stud earrings that your baby daughter can't tug on, and a sparkly belt to keep your cardigan in place when you're doing dishes or lugging laundry baskets around. And by the way, curvy girls can totally wear skinny jeans.

Cardigans
Boots

I'm dying for a less expensive version of the dress Mindy Kaling wore on the last episode of her show The Mindy Project (Season 1, Episode 3, Original Airdate 10/09/2012). —Stephanie

I'm usually out of the loop when it comes to current TV shows but I actually watch The Mindy Project and thought Mindy's club-scene dress was amazing, too! The vivid red color is eye-catching while the modern stripes emphasize a perfect hourglass shape.

Her one-shoulder bandage dress by Herve Leger is $1,550 at bcbg.com (kinda steep, even for Mindy's OB/GYN character):

Herve Leger Carmela One-Shoulder Bandage Dress

When it comes to bandage dresses on a budget, nobody beats Bebe. While I couldn't find an exact look-a-like, Bebe has the best selection of bandage-style dresses, mostly under $150:

More Bebe...

I am IN LOVE with this Haute Hippie floral sequin miniskirt (below), but not the $595 price tag. Have you seen any looks for less? —Nikki

Haute hippie Floral Sequined Miniskirt

I didn't think I'd find anything even remotely similar but guess what, I did! Behold:

Love 21 Retro Flower Sequined Skirt

Okay, so it's not identical but it is floral and it's covered in sequins. And it's just $24.80 at Forever21.com.

Looking for more unique sequin minis? Here are six fun options mostly under $25:

More Forever 21...

Have you seen an affordable floral sequin skirt anywhere? Share with Nikki in the comments!

I have been looking all over for some leather-like coated denim that's less than $100. All of my go to places either don't have them or they're over $200, or right at it. Here are some styles I'm looking for… —Leah




7 For All Mankind Black Coated Jeans, $189; Rich & Skinny Jeans in Marsh Croc, $209; 7 For All Mankind Skinny Jeans in Burgundy Snake, $259

I'm a big fan of inexpensive jeans and luckily all the latest denim trends can be found at every price point this season!

Coated black jeans give the look of leather with the comfort and versatility of denim. The vibe may seem edgy at first but lots of stores that typically stock more classic clothes are showing coated denim for fall because they're a great update to the usual black pant, and easy to dress up for the holiday season. Check LOFT, The Limited and New York & Co. to find black coated denim under $80 (less if you wait for a sale and/or use a coupon):

More The Limited...

A reader recently asked me for tips on how to match necklaces to necklines, and it dawned on me that I had absolutely no clue. For me, it's always been about trial and error. And sometimes, nothing seems to work (especially since I keep buying crazy big statement necklaces that end up collecting dust on my shelf because I have no idea how to wear them). Finally, I decided to try to put together a visual guide that I could reference when I'm feeling "accessory-challenged" - and it's already helped me out a couple times. All photos were taken from Anthropologie.com.

Do you follow any "rules" for matching your necklaces to your necklines? I'd love to hear them!