The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Ladylike with an Edge: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's Print Blouse and Open Toe Booties

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's print v-neck blouse and ripped skinny jeans
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley isn't just traveling in style - she's showing us a perfect way to remix one of your polished work blouses for the weekend. Just mix a ladylike v-neck top like this one we found at LOFT with ripped skinnies and peep-toe ankle boots. Simple yet so chic! Finish it off with a sleek timepiece and oversized sunglasses. Read on for our look for less recreation!

Lovely Layers: Olivia Palermo's Gray Coat and Burgundy Accessories Look for Less

Olivia Palermo fashion style look for less featuring a gray coat, leather pants, maroon accessories
Oh, Olivia. How do you make fall layering look so effortless? This photo was actually snapped on a chilly spring day as the style icon walked her pup in New York City but it's totally on point this season, too. Start with a neutral base - gray menswear inspired coat, leather(ette) leggings - then add colorful accessories like a maroon crossbody bag and scarf. Hi-top sneakers and a chambray shirt tied around the waist finish this put-together Downtown look. Read on to get it for less...

Off the Rack: Fall Fashion Highlights at Walmart

Cute fall fashion finds at Walmart (yes Walmart!)
If you follow me on Instagram (@budgetbabe) then you've probably noticed that I've been shopping at Walmart lately - twice in the past week! I posted these plaid ponchos earlier, and now here are some more fashion highlights worth checking out. From a Pinterest-worthy scarf for $8.97 to casual-chic plaid shirts for $13.97, there's a lot to love right now at Walmart. Most of my finds are by the brand Faded Glory if you dare search walmart.com (it's pretty disorganized). I snagged one plaid shirt, two longline cardigans, a bunch of long sleeve layering tees, the plaid scarf and a leopard/black scarf two-pack. Oh, and a this felt hat! After baby comes, I'll go back for leggings - they have an incredible selection of leggings - coated, velour, fleece lined, prints and every fall color imaginable - for super cheap ($13-$15). My tip to help you stay focused and prevent overspending (easy to do when everything seems to inexpensive): Create a fall outfit board on Pinterest, plan which looks you want to recreate, then shop accordingly.

Keep reading to see what I saw at Walmart - anything catch your eye? Have you shopped at Walmart this fall?

Experiment: Can You Find Fashion Week Worthy Accessories at T.J. Maxx?

All black streetstyle outfit at New York Fashion Week
Recently T.J. Maxx challenged me to find accessories for a New York Fashion Week outfit at my local T.J. Maxx store. The idea for the title of this post, however, came from a friend who asked, "Wait...can you really find a fashion week look at T.J.Maxx?" when I told her about my blogger mission. I hesitated. While it's true that you see all the most luxurious global brands on the guests at fashion week - Chanel, Celine, Givenchy, Dior - you also see that high-low mix. I won't name names, but I know Zara high-street when I see it. So I was confident that I could find some fashion-week accessories at T.J. Maxx.

Spot the Real: Chloe Pussy Bow Blouse

Can you spot the real Chloe bow blouse?
A good bow blouse never really goes out of style but this ladylike look is back in a big way for fall, right in step with the resurgence of 60s and 70s chic. Chloe's pussy bow blouse in classic white and black is $995 at netaporter.com, while the look for less is $29.99 elsewhere. You can't touch the fabric and compare the quality but see if you can tell the difference between the high and the low by examining the images above - and clicking a link below!


LEFT // RIGHT


P.S. Also loving these Forever 21 bow blouses here ($15.90), here ($22.90), and here ($19.90).