The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

The Look for Less: Chloe 'Groove' Wedge Sandals

Chloe's two-tone double strap wedge platform sandals in brown and black are $401.99 (down from $795) in select sizes at Bluefly.com. You can find these sandals in brown and tan at stores like Saks and Neiman Marcus at the $795 price.



Get the look for less with these "Georgia" leather wedge sandals, now $99 (down from $200) at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Chloe Groove wedge sandal knockoff


Or, get the look for even less with these Target "Patricia" wedge sandals instead for just $29.99. The perfect go-with-everything summer sandal!



HUGE thanks to reader Jessica T. for sharing this uh-mazing find!!

The Look for Less: Kate Spade 'Vivien' Dress

Kate Spade New York's "Vivien" striped dress is $448 at Nordstrom.com.



Actress Zooey Deschanel was spotted wearing this dress at the Paley Center for Media 2013 PaleyFest honoring her show "The New Girl."


Zooey Deschanel wears Kate Spade New York's striped Vivien dress


Get a similar look with this LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl's dress for $39 (down from $60) in black or red. It doesn't have the stripes, unfortunately, but it has a similar cut-out detail and silhouette. Use code LOVETOSHOP to get 20% off when you use your Kohl's charge.



Ask BB: Wedding Guest Dresses That Look Expensive But Aren't


Preppy chic designer dress inspiration

I have 5 weddings to attend this summer but I'm in college and have an extremely limited budget. Some brands that I love but usually cannot afford are Lilly Pulitzer, Kate Spade, J.Crew, Tory Burch and Vineyard Vines. In general my "vibe" is preppy, polished, playful, and sophisticated. I'm not afraid of bold color but can appreciate a more subdued look as well. Do you have any brands or specific dresses that may be able to fit my style and budget? Ideally I would love $35 or under, but I know that isn't exactly realistic with the quality and styles I am looking for. Definitely under $50 per dress, though. —Brigid M.

{Inspiration from left: Lilly Pulitzer "MarieKate" dress, $378; Kate Spade "Carol" dress, $398; J.Crew "Arabelle" dress, $275; Tory Burch "Jacqueline" dress, $425}


It sounds like you have a classic case of champagne taste on a beer budget - and I think I can help! Here are five dresses from brands that offer the same preppy-chic vibe you love, without the designer pricetag:

Carly Rae Jepsen for Candie's Spring 2013 Campaign




Carly Rae Jepsen is absolutely adorable as the face of Candie's new spring 2013 campaign. The "Call Me Maybe" chanteuse takes the reins from actress Lea Michele, who teamed up with the affordable teen fashion line last year. This lookbook is a great place to get inspired for spring; from the white jeans to the high-low hems to the sorbet color palette, spring fashion from Candie's is all about having fun and being a girl. Highlights include a heart cutout skater dress ($48) and mint green openwork buttondown shirt ($38). You can shop most of these items now at Kohl's stores and online at Kohls.com. (I tweeted a pic of some of the fun print blouses I spied in stores the other day here.)

See anything you love?

Ask BB: Help Me Find These Shoes!


Help me find these shoes!

I was shopping online and came across a dress on Zappos. Now, the dress is alright, BUT the shoes are to die for. Unfortunately, after getting in touch with Zappos, I found out that the model must have worn her own shoes because they don't carry the pair in the picture. I didn't know who else to turn to with this question: Can you please help me find these shoes!? —Kamelia K.

The fuchsia footcandy you seek appears to be Dolce Vita's 'Grechen' pump - and you're in luck because this shoe is currently 50% off at Nordstrom.com! Get your pair in magenta, black, red or navy for $89.47 (down from $178.95).