The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Look for Less: Off the Shoulder Dress


With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it might be a good idea to find yourself the perfect red dress. While I'm not one to gush over the cliche Valentine's Day clothes, decorations, etc., I can get behind a nice red dress mostly because it can extend far beyond February 14th. I'm obsessed with this Emilio De La Morena sweetheart, off-the-shoulder dress. The neckline is incredibly flattering and the velvet fabric is extremely opulent. All of these adorable details added with the A-line silhouette, make this red dress the absolute perfect outfit for any date night, whether it's this weekend or not. The River Island dress is very similar in both neckline and silhouette making the vibe nearly identical. I would definitely pair this look with nude heels to ensure that the red of the dress is the bold pop of color. Which would you wear?

Splurge:
Emilio De La Morena Velvet Mini Dress $542

Save:

River Island Bardot Skater Dress $80

White Winter Wear: Alessandra Ambrosio's Oversized Poncho and Flat Boot Look for Less

Alessandra Ambrosio Look for Less
Embrace winter white in a chic and cozy way! Alessandra Ambrosio demonstrates exactly how to perfect the look with her latest ensemble. The model paired an oversized Elizabeth and James Knit Poncho with light-wash skinny jeans, a ribbed grey sweater, flat greige boots and a simple pair of studs. I love how Alessandra elevates her minimalist look with the bold white poncho and the piece is great to add to your layering collection. Plus, Alessandra's boots are an exact match for the best-selling Sole Society 'Natasha' Boot! Get to shopping and steal Alessandra's look for less...

Parisian Chic: Nicky Hilton Rothschild's Black Blouse and Ballet Flat Look for Less

Nicky Hilton Rothschild Look for Less
Cap-toe flats and a coordinating quilted handbag bring images of French street style and classic Coco Chanel to mind. Nicky Hilton Rothschild exudes effortless style in this minimalist outfit by adding simple staple pieces: skinny jeans, a black blouse and wayfarer sunglasses. I love how light this look is, from the neutral color to the airy fabric of the blouse, this outfit is a nice break from the heavy knits and layers I've been sporting this winter. It's the perfect look for spring, but until then just the addition of a simple peacoat will make this look wearable right now. Read on to grab Nicky's designer-inspired pieces and the rest of her look for less...

The Look for Less: Self Portrait Dress


I'm literally obsessed with Self Portrait and their dresses - just browse their Instagram feed and you'll see all the fashion bloggers and celebs who are equally enamored. With their cut-outs and lace, they are the perfect combination of sweet and sexy. Self Portrait's silhouettes seem modest, but are actually quite fun and youthful. This Self Portrait Cutwork Layered Dress is a perfect example of their vision and style. It has a great underlayer of what would appear to be a bodycon dress, with the top layer being an intricate, sleeved lace. I could see myself wearing this absolutely beautiful dress with a really fabulous red lip and sleeked-back, middle-parted hair. The even greater part about this dress is that I found a very similar one for significantly less. The major difference being the silhouette of the skirt. The Self Portrait skirt has more of an A-line look, while the Rule One London Dress appears to be more bodycon. For the most part, however, the intricate lace overlay seems to be very very similar. What do you think...would you splurge or save on this style?

SPLURGE:
Self Portrait Cutwork Layered Dress, $335

SAVE:
Venice Black Netted Midi Dress, $65

For more Self Portrait knockoff dupes, search "mesh lace dress" on SheInside.com to find dresses like this one. Thanks to alert reader Heidi (@Wishes_Reality) for the tip!

Throwback Thursday: Kerry Washington's Black Top and Leather Midi Look for Less

Kerry Washington Look for Less
Fashion flashback! I'm in love with Kerry Washington's minimalist look...and though she rocked this outfit in 2012, it's just as trendy today. Leather is making a huge comeback and my favorite way to incorporate this fabric is with a sophisticated midi skirt that just grazes the knee. Kerry paired her midi with a stunning gold belt, nylon tote, black tee and leather pumps. This ensemble is amazing head-to-toe, but I wanted to update the silhouette a bit by swapping Kerry's scoop neck tee with a turtleneck sweater, perfect for winter wear. Read on to get Kerry's look for less...