Outfits Under $100: Campus Casual – Pt. 2
Last week I wrote part one of a series on casual clothes to wear on campus. The focus of that article was different ways to wear denim. This week, I want to continue the series and show you some great outfit ideas that don’t involve jeans.
I don’t wear dresses and skirts as much as I’d like to. Sometimes they seem like such a hassle, but really they’re just as easy as (if not easier than) putting on a pair of pants! Leggings are another item of clothing I don’t wear enough. Some girls may be self-conscious about wearing leggings, but with a correctly proportioned tunic or dress, they can look great on anyone.
A problem with wearing some of these items is that they can easily end up looking too dressy to wear to class or when hanging out around campus. So it’s important to know how to dress them down. Because of that, I put together six inexpensive and causal outfits that involve skirts, leggings and dresses for under $100.
Outfit #1: Eclectic Elegance
Product Information: Dress- Old Navy, Cardigan- Forever 21, Earrings- Urban Outfitters, Flats- Forever 21, Leggings- Kohl’s
Outfit Total: $96
This look is all about the unique details found on each piece in the outfit. The shift dress is a gorgeous blue color with a great pleated detail. Wearing the dress with these zippered leggings underneath adds extra coverage and warmth. The cardigan and flats both have similar frills and the blue beaded stud earrings complete the outfit.
Outfit #2: Monochromatic with Metallics
Product Information: Dress- Topshop, Bag- YesStyle, Tights- Forever 21, Boots- CutesyGirl
Outfit Total: $99
This is a great way to wear a dress and still look casual enough for class. The dress has a bold print, but a very simple silhouette, so it works as an everyday outfit. Pair it with some black tights and black ankle boots to streamline the outfit and accessorize with a trendy metallic gold bag.
Outfit #3: Mixing Patterns
Product Information: Skirt- Urban Outfitters, Tank- Forever 21, Ring- Topshop, Flats- Target, Motorcycle Jacket- Forever 21, Tights- Figleaves
Outfit Total: $99
Last week, Anna did a great article about how to wear mixed prints. Two of my favorite patterns to mix are stripes and florals. I chose a pretty floral skirt and paired it with a simple striped tank for this outfit. Since it’s still pretty cold out, wear a faux-leather motorcycle jacket and sheer tights for coverage and warmth. Since the skirt and tank are so bold, I added some simple black flats and an elegant ring.
Outfit #4: Vintage Inspired
Product Information: Dress- Delia’s, Cardigan- Urban Outfitters, Brooch- Aldo, Heels- Target
Outfit Total: $98
If you love vintage but can’t find the right pieces at thrift stores, this vintage-inspired outfit is for you! The right LBD can work for day as well as night and this dress is the perfect example of casual yet classy. Adding an interesting brooch to a neutral colored cardigan and wearing some adorable leopard print heels completes this vintage inspired look.
Outfit #5: Girly and Sweet
Product Information: Cardigan- Old Navy, Top- Delia’s, Skirt- Old Navy, Flats- Charlotte Russe, Headband- Forever 21
Outfit Total: $89
I think every girl should own a black skirt– it is such a simple and versatile piece. For this outfit I added a ruffled top in a purple color and a light pink cardigan. Surprisingly, these two colors look great together! Add some gray flats and a cute bow headband and you’ll be the most stylish girl in class!
Outfit #6: Comfortable and Cute
Product Information: Tunic- Forever 21, Leggings- Arden B., Mustache Necklace- ModCloth, Boots- Charlotte Russe
Outfit Total: $99
This outfit is great if you don’t feel like getting too dressed up, but still want to look great for class. The tunic is super comfortable, a pretty color and is the perfect length to wear with leggings. The leggings have a intricate lace pattern and look great paired with some trendy over-the-knee boots. I love having interesting jewelry that gets noticed and this mustache necklace is so unique! It’s definitely a great conversation starter.
What Do You Think?
What do you think about the outfits? Are they worth the price? How often do you wear skirts, dresses and leggings? Do these outfits work for you? Leave a comment and let me know!
Posted on on January 31, 2010 / Filed Under: Shopping / Tags: Budget Fashion, Casual, Class, Dresses, Everyday Style, Leggings, Outfits Under $100, skirts
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Hannah
I love this post! Outfit #5 is very similar to what I wear most days (skirt, cardigan, headband.) The pale pink and purple combo is so sweet. Great outfit!
Isabelle
I adore the outfit #5, Girly & Sweet – very tempted to wear something very similar this coming week :)
Nicole
Thanks again for such a great post!
1 and 4 look really pricey for being under a hundred!
I wore a dress yesterday, and the day before…..I like just pulling something over my head and just having an outfit-then i just have to accessorize!
Thanks again for a great article for us dress/skirt girls!
JG
This is such a great idea. I really appreciate that you not only made sure each entire outfit costs $100 or less but you gave us 6 different ideas for any style or occassion. I think this would be a great post to do for various seasons too so you can dress for under $100 for any season.
Great post.
Ps. #2 and #4 are my favorites! The dress is #2 is really cool and it’s a great inexpensive find. I’m also obsessed with the brooch in #4. Anything vintage or vintage-inspired always gets my attention.
reina
LOVE :D
can’t wait till the next part!!
i love the first outfit…it’s something i would wear
Effy
Great post! Outfit #5 is sooooo cute, it definitely inspires me to dress more girly. Lol at the necklace in post #6 I do the conversation starting accessoires all the time at parties. It really works! :D
Julie
Great post! I especially like #1 and #5, and that you kept each outfit under $100.
Parisa
I used to wear jeans all the time, but since starting uni have been wearing pretty much skirts and dresses every day. Leggings are brilliant for underneath, especially cause it’s so cold in the UK at the moment. Woolly tights are lifesavers. I’d wear anything on this list. Great job, as always! xxxxxxxxxx
Tynn
I loveeeee this article! It’s always awesome to look great at an even greater price ;) These outfits are certainly worth the price. I’ll only wear dresses & leggings for special occasions, I still feel it’s too dressed-up for college. But I dont mind wearing them to the mall..
p/s* You girls are sooo lucky! In Malaysia, you can only find an equivalent of such looks under 200 bucks our local currency. I can’t wait to go back to the States next year!
Natalie
I’m the type of person who loves to plan out my outfits for the week ahead. This is some great inspiration (I also love how you incorporate a lot of basic pieces so trying to make these outfits out of what we already have is a piece of cake.)
Thanks!
Kath
I love your choice of mixed prints in #3. I just wish I could wear things like that without my friends giving me the “wtf are you wearing?” look. Fashion forward style just isn’t appreciated in small towns :(
melanie
Love this post…. but one thing I dont understand the mustache necklace. Maybe i am strange, but I think it looks so goofy. I dont get how its fashionable….at all. I think Id have more fun drawing it on my face then wearing it on my neck, but then again maybe thats just me.
Evan Gonzalez
The moustache necklace that Melanie was talking about is an unusual piece that adds a bit of flare to the whole outfit. The uniqueness of the design should draw the viewer’s gaze towards the apex (upwards) and to the face of the wearer. It’s always the unusual pieces that garner the most attention! I agree with wearing it on my face as well haha.
Julie
i want you to dress me on a daily basis!
I love all of these outfits!!
Rachael
Great post! I love outfits #5 and #6, as well as the colour of the dress in the first outfit.
I’ve been trying to get out of jeans and trousers by wearing cute dresses and skirts with thick tights and leggings instead and so far it’s working. I need to learn to accessorise though and you’ve given me a few ideas of how to get away from just dress + cardigan + boots look.
Luinae
Outfit #4 is the kind of thing I wear most days! You CANNOT go wrong with a neutral dress, cardigan, and some heels.
Paula
Loving the mustache necklace! lol
Charlotte
Can you be my personal stylist and dress me everyday? love the outfit ideas, great post! Keep them coming!!
Audrey - Ohio State University
This is a-mazing! I love how many outfits you have. Outfit #3 is my fave….so chic, plus the skirt is on sale!
April
Awesome Post! Just the kind of post I’m looking for!
Charlotte
I love this. I hardly ever wear jeans (to the point where my friends don’t recognise me if i wear them!!) so i love dressing up even if i just have a day in the library.
I love mixing prints, and florals and stripes are my favourite so I love outfit 3.
I also love outfit 5 for the cute ruffles on the top and outfit one :]]]
xxx
miya
I love these outfits i would so wer them to colege