Under the Radar Online Retailers

Amazon, Zappos, Nasty Gal….

Umm… one of these things is not like the other.

Amazon and Zappos are clearly powerhouses in the online retailer space. Everyone knows those names, everyone has shopped there.

But what about the Nasty Gals of the world? Finding these under the radar online retailers is like discovering buried treasures. These smaller sites offer cheap prices, on-trend merchandise, unique items, and personalized customer service.

And since I adore my readers so much, I thought I’d let you in on my top 10 secret online retailers. Click and shop!

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Nasty Gal – This San Francisco-based site specializes in vintage and unique designer items.

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Ruche – A vintage inspired boutique with a modern touch (my current fav).

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Shop Kempt – Feminine and fashion-forward clothing and accessories.

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In Pink – Your destination to shop the latest trends in fashion jewelry.

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Shabby Apple – Specializing in girly, flirty, and retro dresses.

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eShakti – This site offers a wide range of sizes and even offers custom sizing.

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Urban 1972 – Seelings pieces that range from basics to cutting-edge trends.

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ThreadSence – This girly site scours the planet for indie designers, artists, and aficionados.

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Asos – The UK’s largest online-only fashion. And they offer free shipping.

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Lulu’s – Phew, last but not least, Lulu’s may not be “under the radar” anymore, but it’s such a fab spot for fashionable clothing, shoes and accessories, I had to include it!

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When in Doubt, Add a Belt

Ever have one of those mornings when you open your closet and cannot find a single solitary item to wear?

The women in my family have a coined a phrase for this: clothes crisis. Tops look blah, pants are wrinkled, nothing fits. Before you know it, your closet has exploded into a crumpled mess on the floor and you’re late for work.

Guess what? I have experienced enough of these frustrating clothes crises that I have come up a trick that I wanted to share: when all else fails, add a belt!

A belt that cinches your waist can instantly raise the bar and tie an outfit together. This morning I assembled a pretty basic outfit – a cardigan, loose tank top, and grey capris. Snooze city. Nothing special. See:

I thought, what can I do to make this ordinary outfit special? Then I remembered the fun elastic waist belt hiding in my closet. Just like that, a basic outfit was upgraded to an actual outfit that made a statement. Clothing crisis averted!

I’m especially digging elastic belts that fasten in the back, like the one I’m wearing (found it for $6.99 on the clearance rack of New York and Company!). Love a good embellishment, too. Here are a few other ideas:

Where to shop:  Express Stretch Belt  ($29.90); Urban Outfitters Kimchi Blue Floral Filigree Stretch Belt ($24); Charlotte Russe Lurex-Front Stretch Belt ($9.50).

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Tips for Cleaning Out Your Closet

Today I want to share with you all one of the most common questions I get from my friends and family now that I’m dishing out fashion advice: Maddy, can you help me clean out my closet?

Trust me, ladies, if I didn’t have a full-time job, the answer would be yes! I love to organize things and I [clearly] love to give my opinion on style dilemmas. Perhaps Style Me Thrifty can bring this service to life in the future, but for now, think of this blog post as your virtual closet cleaning assistant!

I’m preparing for a move this Saturday, so all these tips have recently been tested by yours truly. I know it can be a daunting task, especially if your closet is as jam-packed as mine (see photo, geez!), but I have faith that we can get through this together.

Tips for Cleaning Out Your Closet

1) To get started, let’s begin with an easy tip: the first thing to do is focus on quality. Are any of your shirts piling? Have armpit stains? Faded? If so, it’s time to upgrade. Don’t hang on to poor quality items that are past their prime.

2) Next tip is all about quantity. Say you’re moving in with your boyfriend (ahem) and closet space is going to be a little tight. Do you really need 10 spring skirts? I admit, this was a hard lesson for me — especially if they’re all cute! — but if you only wear a skirt once or twice a year, it’s time to narrow down the field and pick a few favorites.

3) On a related note, don’t keep something if you have nothing to wear with it! A hard-to-match skirt is a totally useless. Either chuck it or move it to a “maybe” section of your closet — if you can’t find a matching top within one month, consider purging it.

4) Are you getting nostalgic for a certain article of clothing and having a hard time purging it even if it’s totally outdated? Take a moment to remember that fun place you wore it — and then move on. A killer new outfit is already in your closet so don’t hang on to outdated stuff just for sentimental reasons.

5) Cleaning out your closet can be a little like a break up — it’s easy to remember the good times you had and forget the bad. I have a pair of ruffled wedges (swoon) that are SO cute that I’m blinded by their beauty and consistently forget how incredibly painful they are on my feet! So here’s a tip: try on your shoes while cleaning. Do your feet hurt after standing for 5-10 min? If the answer is a screaming yes, then it’s time for them to stop taking up space in your closet.

6) I’m a big proponent of trying clothing on while going through a cleaning. You may see something on a hanger that looks great, but without trying it on with a fresh perspective, it can be easy to forget how terrible it fits. Maybe a shirt is too short or digs into your armpits. Or a pair of “goal” pants are still a size too small. Trying it on will help you remember why you never wore it in the first place.

7) Keep a notepad handy as you go through your wardrobe. Make a wish list of new pieces of clothing or accessories that might breathe new life back into an outfit. A skinny belt, long necklace, or nude pumps might be just want you need to tie a couple outfits together.

8) When all else fails and you’re stumped on a certain piece of clothing, ask yourself: have I worn this in the past year? If the answer is NO, that’s a red flag that you won’t be wearing it in the next year either. Purge, purge, purge!

When you’re all done, take your old items to your local Goodwill or organize a clothing swap with friends. One person’s trash (err, clothing) is another person’s treasure!

Looking Chic on the 4th of July

Reader Question: Help! I’ve been invited to a July 4th cookout. Any tips on how to stay cool and look patriotic but not look like I’ve worn an American flag?

Style Me Thrifty:  Fireworks. Hot dogs. Backyard BBQs. Cold beer. How can you not love the 4th of July? This year, show your patriotism for the America’s birthday with a few subtly festive outfits — no cheesy flag outfits allowed!

The Breezy White Dress
A lightweight white dress is perfect for a hot 4th of July cookout. It’s a classic summertime look that is easy to wear and super appropriate for balmy weather.

Where to Shop (L to R): Fish Bowl Flutter Sleeve Dress ($23.90 from Nordstrom); Pure of Heart One Shoulder Dress ($46.99 from ShopRuche.com); Heaven Sent Ivory Dress ($35 from Lulus.com).

Navy + White + Polka Dots
I love how crisp and classic navy and white look together. Add polka dots to the mix and you have yourself a 4th of July outfit with a wink.

Where to Shop: Ruffled Drop-Waist Top ($24.94 from Old Navy); Shirred A-Line Skirt (on sale for $12.50 from Old Navy); Braided T-Strap Sandals ($22.94 from Old Navy).

Go Gingham
Gingham makes me think of picnic blankets. And you can’t get more patriotic than a good, old-fashioned picnic! It’s the perfect pattern for the 4th (and who doesn’t love a cute red belt?).

Where to shop: Martinique Escapade Gingham Dress by Tulle ($54.99 from ShopRuche.com); Beamish Red Plastic Belt ($13.98 on sale from Aldo); Zodiac Quanton Wedge Sandal ($69.95 from DSW).

Make a Straw Hat the Focus
When in doubt, a straw fedora — or any type of summery straw hat — is both hip and functional for an outdoor celebration. Keep rest of the outfit casual with a navy or red t-shirt and laid back capris.

Where to Shop: Striped Ribbon Fedora ($12.80 from Forever 21); Flutter-Sleeve Embellished Top ($14.50 on sale from Old Navy); Julie Casual Twill Pants ($59.50 from Loft).

Game Day Fashion

It’s 80 degrees here in Washington, D.C.  Summer is finally in sight!  This heat and humidity has me brimming with anticipation for hot dogs, cornhole tournaments, and drinking Bud Light Lime at a Washington Nationals game.

If you’re attending any type of outdoor sporting event in the coming months — baseball, tennis, even NASCAR (I’m going to a race this weekend, gah, wish me luck!) — I want to remind you that it’s possible to look both chic AND sporty, while also staying cool. So get ready to embrace your inner Sporty Spice!

I fully support wearing a tee or baseball hat that features your team’s logo or colors. It’s a sporting event after all, not a fashion show! But let’s ditch those oversized t-shirts in favor of something tailored, topped off with a few key girly accessories. Victoria’s Secret makes a whole collection of cute gear for MLB teams. Pair a tee or tank top with shorts or capris, instead of a skirt. You’ll be much more comfy in shorts while making the hike up to the cheap/thrifty seats!

Where to Shop: Washington Nationals Metallic V-neck Tee ($29.50 from Victoria’s Secret’s MLB line); F3959 Sunglasses ($5.80 from Forever 21); Bueno Straw Bag ($34.99 from Target); Colorful Bangle Set ($6.80 from Forever 21); 5″ Chino Short ($42.50 from JCrew).

Above (all from Victoria’s Secret): Chicago Cubs V-neck Tee ($32.50); Boston Red Sox Bling Baseball Hat ($24.50); Philadelphia Phillies V-neck Tee ($26.50).