The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Work-Chic Wednesdays: 3 Business-Casual Looks that Won't Break the Bank

I get a lot of requests for stylish yet affordable outfit ideas for the office, so I'm going to try something new here and feature work-related attire every Wednesday—hence Work-Chic Wednesdays! To kick things off, here are three business-casual looks featuring items under $100 (I may have gone a tad over with a few of the bags but sharp accessories are one place you can splurge on occasionally.) Each outfit would work well for an interview, too, with the exception of outfit #3 (needs a blazer). Click any image for details on any of the items shown.

Work it, ladies.


Layer luxe-looking accessories atop a basic, modest dress for a look that's sure to win you the corner office, someday!


Black and white is always a chic choice for the office. Keep the look sophisticated yet exciting by adding a bold red bag. What's more, this entire outfit features plus-size items.


For summer, try a sleeveless top in a casual office setting, just keep the rest of your look neat and polished. Add a blazer or cardigan for important meetings.

theOutnet's First Ever Clearance Pop-Up Sale



Here's a screen-grab of what tomorrow's homepage of theOutnet will look like, sent to us from theOutnet team.


What: Net-a-porter's sibling site, theOutnet.com, is having its first ever clearance Pop-Up sale. All items will have discounts between 75% to 85% off including clothes, shoes and accessories from Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Chloé, Miu Miu and many more.

When: Wednesday August 5th at 10am EST. Register ahead of time to make shopping and check-out easier.

The Goods: Some items to look for…

  • DKNY dress, Original price $275, theOutnet clearance price $68.75

  • Fendi cardigan, Original price $1,030, theOutnet clearance price $206.00

  • Jimmy Choo clutch, Original price $1,995, theOutnet.com clearance price $399.00

  • Miu Miu dress, Original price $760, theOutnet.com clearance price $190.00

  • Kenneth Jay Lane necklace, Original price $150, theOutnet.com clearance price $37.50

  • Citizens of Humanity jeans, Original price $215, theOutnet.com price $43.00

  • Alberta Ferretti wedges, Original price $1,025, theOutnet.com clearance price $205.00

  • Chloé bay bag, Original price $2,185, theOutnet.com price $437.00



FREE Nail polish from Zoya.com


FREE Nail polish from Zoya.com

Zoya has reached 5,000 Twitter followers (@Zoya_NailPolish), and to celebrate, they're giving you 3 FREE bottles of nail polish! You have to pay shipping and handling. Go to Zoya and pick out 3 colors, add them to your cart and check out using code TW500 TW5000. This offer is valid August 4-5. For all the deets, go here.

5 Spots to Find Cheap and Cute Dresses for Tall Women



Topshop at ShopStyle


[1] As luck would have it, British high-street chain Topshop carries a number of dresses for the 5'7" and over set as part of their Tall Collection. Most options are under $100, like this stunning sapphire-blue number which costs $80 at Topshop.com. There's no added sales tax when you shop online and shipping is a $15 flat rate.



Forever 21 at ShopStyle


[2] Love 21 is Forever 21's answer to the many budget shoppers looking for more sophisticated, modest clothing with misses sizing as opposed to juniors. Longer hemlines make this collection work for ladies on the tall side, too, as seen here with this floral resort dress, just $22.80 at Forever21.com.



Banana Republic at ShopStyle


[3] Many stylish ladies blessed with height swear by Banana Republic's tall offerings for dresses, suits and much more. At $132, the gorgeous dress shown here isn't exactly cheap but you can always stalk the sales and shop the outlets. There's no excuse not to buy BR especially when you consider the quality and overall value.


[4] Slowly but surely, JCPenney's American Living Collection has been winning me over (I was apprehensive about the prices at first, but they always come through with their sales + coupons.) Take, for example, this sundress: The cut is classic, the nautical print is unbelievably chic and it's on sale for just $39.99 down from $90. And tall lasses take note: The hemline is longer, meaning you can wear this dress with confidence.



Nine West at ShopStyle


[5] We heart them for their shoes, and lately I'm loving Nine West for their growing selection of very wearable, very adorable and very affordable dresses. The cuts are more modest than a lot of what's out there, which means you're more likely to have luck with this brand if you're on the tall side. Ladies of all sizes will want to wear these dresses to the office, to weddings, baby showers—you name it. Most styles cost less than $100 and you can find them at Macy's, Lord & Taylor and online at NineWest.com.


OK, ladies: What did I miss?