Tag Archives: style advice

The $100 Challenge: Styling A Summer Dress At Every Size!

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I’ve been thinking about fun & transformative ways to get the most out of my summer wardrobe, always looking for upgrades in staples like dresses, jewelry, & accessories at an affordable price. Lately, I love playing with color against my favorite classic pieces, which is the inspiration for this most recent Style Darling Daily post for The $100 Challenge. Since the dress below has so many possibilities, I couldn’t help picking out a few extras to get the most out of summer style for all shapes & sizes.

The $100 Challenge: dress ($30.00) in black / white @Old Navy, heels ($25.00) in lemon @Charlotte Russe, hat ($12.90) in white / black @Forever 21, studs ($8.99) @Francesca's, & clutch ($14.75) in ivory @Dress Barn.

SHOP: 1. dress ($30.00, was $32.94) in black / white @Old Navy (available in sizes XS-XXL), 2. heels ($25.00, was $28.99) in lemon @Charlotte Russe (available in sizes 5.5-10), 3. hat ($12.90) in white / black @Forever 21, 4. studs ($8.99, was $14.00) @Francesca’s, & 5. clutch ($14.75, was $29.50) in ivory @Dress Barn (also available in peach & black).

Affordable extras include neutrals, texture, & sensible alternatives to keep your looks fresh & playful this season. I love mixing up my jewelry from day to day, even when I rotate essentials like a favorite dress from week to week.

Affordable extras: jacket ($34.95) in light beige & plus jacket ($34.99) in light beige @H&M, bracelet ($5.99) in gold @Romwe, sunglasses ($5.99) @ModCloth, & sandals ($12.90) in coral @Wet Seal.

SHOP: 1. jacket ($34.95) in light beige & plus jacket ($34.99) in light beige @H&M, 2. bracelet ($5.99, was $8.42) in gold @Romwe, 3. sunglasses ($5.99, was $19.99) @ModCloth, & 4. sandals ($12.90) in coral (wide width available for $10.99, was $14.90) @Wet Seal.

Where are you shopping for this season’s best bargains? How do you like to style your favorite summer dresses? What patterns or colors do you love to wear now? For more stylish posts, check out the latest red carpet looks from Rachel McAdams & Karlie Kloss, where to get a figure-friendly Calvin Klein dress for less, Taylor Swift’s fashionable 1989 music videos, ankle strap sandals inspired by Jennifer Lawrence & Michelle Monaghan, & jewelry must-haves from Express. Happy Styling!

Accessories Access: Summer’s Best Statement Jewelry For $10 & Under!

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When it comes to transitioning your wardrobe from season to season, sometimes favorite repeats from years past just need a little reinventing with bold, statement jewelry. For myself, I’ve been diving into accessories lately, finding new ways to wear my favorite tops with a little pop of color or sparkle. Also, I’m crazy about dressing up something casual with ornate earrings & an embossed cuff bracelet. As usual, as a Style Darling on a budget, I’ve found six items in each general jewelry category for $10 or under for your shopping & style inspiration!

For high-profile red carpet events, celebrities don statement earrings to compliment their looks, but these stunners aren’t just for gowns & cocktail dresses. Baubles & gem dripping from ears totally elevate any outfit, as seen on Zoe Saldana, Kate Hudson, Emma Roberts, & Emily Blunt.

Zoe Saldana, Kate Hudson, Emma Roberts, & Emily Blunt in statement earrings. 1. circular long earrings ($4.29) @Chic Nova, 2. fan statement earrings ($7.99) @Target, 3. Jennifer Lopez geometric disc earrings ($9.00) @Kohl's, 4. gem drop earrings ($7.00) in black @Boohoo, 5. faceted drop earrings ($6.00) in blue @Charlotte Russe, & 6. statement stud earrings ($9.97) in pink @Nordstrom Rack. SHOP: 1. circular long earrings ($4.29) @Chic Nova, 2. fan statement earrings ($7.99) @Target, 3. Jennifer Lopez geometric disc earrings ($9.00) @Kohl’s, 4. gem drop earrings ($7.00) in black @Boohoo, 5. faceted drop earrings ($6.00) in blue @Charlotte Russe, & 6. statement stud earrings ($9.97) in pink @Nordstrom Rack. 

When it comes to statement necklaces, it’s important to be aware of your dress or shirt’s neckline to truly show off the details in your jewelry. Let the necklace do all the talking & take note of the confidence in celebs like Heidi Klum, Jessica Biel, Nina Dobrev, & Amy Adams featured below.

Heidi Klum, Jessica Biel, Nina Dobrev, & Amy Adams in statement necklaces. 1. facet stone statement necklace ($3.49) in pink @Charlotte Russe, 2. gem statement necklace ($8.90) in nude @Forever 21, 3. chain collar necklace ($6.98) @Target, 4. layered statement necklace ($5.00) in black @Icing, 5. 3-layer necklaces ($9.99) in rose gold @H&M, & 6. flower statement necklace ($7.99) @JC Penney.SHOP: 1. facet stone statement necklace ($3.49) in pink @Charlotte Russe, 2. gem statement necklace ($8.90) in nude @Forever 21, 3. chain collar necklace ($6.98) @Target, 4. layered statement necklace ($5.00) in black @Icing, 5. 3-layer necklaces ($9.99) in rose gold @H&M, & 6. flower statement necklace ($7.99) @JC Penney.

Sometimes your dress or outfit is so sleek & simple, dressing it up with a statement bracelet is all you need to do, especially when sporting a head-to-toe monochromatic look. That’s when your sparkle will say the most, just like on Drew Barrymore, Selena Gomez, Olivia Palermo, & Emma Watson.

Drew Barrymore, Selena Gomez, Olivia Palermo, & Emma Watson in statement bracelets. 1. teardrop stretch bracelet ($7.99) @New York & Company, 2. hammered stone cuff ($6.00) @Charlotte Russe, 3. curly cuff ($10.00) in silver @Shoptiques, 4. cut-out cuff bracelet ($4.90) @Forever 21, 5. large bead cuff ($5.85) in black @Swell, & 6. engraved cuff ($8.00) @Boohoo.SHOP: 1. teardrop stretch bracelet ($7.99) @New York & Company, 2. hammered stone cuff ($6.00) @Charlotte Russe, 3. curly cuff ($10.00) in silver @Shoptiques, 4. cut-out cuff bracelet ($4.90) @Forever 21, 5. large bead cuff ($5.85) in black @Swell, & 6. engraved cuff ($8.00) @Boohoo.

Lastly, a statement cocktail ring adds a special touch of glamour & chicness, complimenting your manicure, while tying the whole look together in an understated way. Check out what Blake Lively, Rihanna, Eva Mendes, & Kerry Washington wear for that little something extra.

Blake Lively, Rihanna, Eva Mendes, & Kerry Washington wearing statement rings. 1. LC Lauren Conrad leaf ring ($6.40) @Kohl's, 2. faux stone ring ($4.90) @Forever 21, 3. diamante ring ($7.00) @Boohoo, 4. faceted stone cocktail ring ($6.00) @Charlotte Russe, 5. three-part ring ($9.95) @H&M, & 6. etched ring ($10.00) in gold @Chicos. SHOP: 1. LC Lauren Conrad leaf ring ($6.40) @Kohl’s, 2. faux stone ring ($4.90) @Forever 21, 3. diamante ring ($7.00) @Boohoo, 4. faceted stone cocktail ring ($6.00) @Charlotte Russe, 5. three-part ring ($9.95) @H&M, & 6. etched ring ($10.00) in gold @Chicos. 

How do you like to wear statement jewelry? Which is your favorite? Do you prefer gold or silver, beads or stones, or feminine or edgy pieces? Which celebrity’s jewelry style inspires you? For more stylish posts, check out Target’s newest collaboration with Eddie Borgo, the latest red carpet looks from celebs like Taylor Swift & Gigi Hadid, Cara Delevingne’s menswear look while promoting Paper Towns, & the gold wedge espadrille trend for summer. Happy Styling!