Economy of Style
A notebook on evolving trends, fashion sense and cents

Spring Fashion Essentials for Fuss-Free Days

From trusty jeans to always-chic tees, easygoing styles make it a breeze to get dressed in the spring. You can put ’em on and forget about ’em, all while looking amazing. While I love to have a few flashy pieces in my wardrobe, my spring fashion essentials do the real work of getting me through the season in style.

Let’s start with fabulous-fitting jeans. For my shape, high-rise jeans are my go-to for a flattering fit because they cinch in at the smallest part of my body. I’ve grown fond of the Madewell Denim Bar because you can choose silhouette but also rise (from 8″ to 11″). A rise of 10″ seems to be my sweet spot fit. Talking about jeans, I’ve been experimenting with colorful jeans this season. Come back on Monday for the beautiful styles I’ve had on repeat.

What I’m Wearing:

Stripe top (option) | High-rise jeans | d’Orsay pumps (similar) | Earrings

Gucci Super Mini Bag as fanny pack | Sunglasses (option)

Spring fashion essentials

The perfect stylish tee. There’s nothing as easy to wear as a stylish tee in the spring. From a basic white tee to an old favorite striped tee, these shirts hold down my style all season.

Hands off! Nothing is a fuss-free as a hands-free bag. Listen, I never thought I’d wear a fanny pack again. But, the belt bags of now have totally won me over. My convertible belt bag is undoubtedly one of my spring fashion essentials. See how else I’ve been wearing it here, here, and here.

P.S. Are you following me on Instagram? Im going to be giving away THREE pairs of shoes in a weekend giveaway kicking off this afternoon at 5PM CST. Get in it to win it!

Shop spring fashion essentials:

Round and Round: The Best, Affordable Circle Bags

The circle bag has been in heavy circulation since last winter. Remember my favorite picks last season to nail the circle bags trend? I’ve actually been a little slow to fully embrace the trend. That was until I spotted the Rebecca Minkoff straw circle bag and couldn’t imagine my spring and summer life without one. Isn’t it funny how that sometimes happens?

Chances are there’s a circle bag out there with your name on it too. If you like fun bags, I’m pretty sure I have your next bag in this post. Check out my favorite styles that just happen to be quite affordable.

Circle bags trend

Shop the circle bags trend:

1. Yellow bag | 2. Small straw bag | 3. Stripe bag | 4. Big straw bag

5. Fruit punch bag | 6. Polka dot bag | 7. Light purple bag

 

Wear this Affordable Shirtdress Here, There, and Everywhere

A polished shirtdress can be such a wardrobe staple. Dress it up or dress it down for any occasion. Add or remove layers to transition from season to season. What can I say? You simply can’t go wrong with a fabulous shirtdress. I stumbled upon today’s featured option in an unlikely place. Get this. It’s only $27.90! Shop it here.

Shirtdress (get it here for only $27.90) | Michael Kors Coat (similar) | Naturalizer boots

Gucci bag | Tory Burch sunglasses | Stunna Lip Paint

This long-sleeve shirtdress looks so much more luxe than its under-$30 price tag. It has an all-over vertical stripe design. At only $27.90, I don’t have high expectations about details, but this dress boasts some chic deets: a button placket, a double gun flap design, a back storm flap, a vented hem, and even pockets. I’m wearing it a size M, and it’s available in sizes S to XL here.

The dress also comes with a self-tie belt. For a recent fashion event, I replaced the belt with my Gucci super mini bag worn as a belt bag. For more on high-low dressing, see this post.

Shirtdress

It was freezing cold the day I wore the dress, so tights, boots, and a down coat were necessary. Such a versatile dress, right? When it gets warmer, I could wear the dress as is or roll up the sleeves for another look.

Location: Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis

Shop your versatile shirtdress:

How to Rock the High-Fashion Fanny Pack

You know those childhood photos that you find utterly embarrassing? One of mine captured me on my way to a Carnival parade in St. Kitts. The outfit was mostly cool, but I was wearing the largest fanny pack I have ever seen. Every time, I look at that photo, I wonder, “how in the world could I have thought that bag looked cute?” Now, many years later, I’m a fan of fanny packs again.

Still on the fence about fanny packs? Rock me with for a second. The belt-bags of today don’t have to look like the fanny packs of back in the day. If you want that throwback, more sporty style, you can certainly find it (like here, here, and here). If you’re open to a modern, more high-fashion vibe, then today’s post is for you.

What I’m Wearing:

Blanket scarf via Mix & Match (gifted)| Shirt | Pants (c/0) | Pumps (similar, similar)

Bag | Red lip | Earrings (new version)

Like many, I’ve been quite fond of all things Gucci since Alessandro Michele became the brand’s creative director. I delayed purchasing a bag, though, because I was drawn to the “IT” bag (see it here) and usually try to avoid purchasing those. Their popularity tends to fizzle as fast as it grows. And, it’s a pricey purchase.

After months of weighing options, I decided on the Gucci GG Marmont matelassé leather super mini bag. Why? Its versatility is appealing. The bag’s detachable chain strap and attached key ring allows me to wear it in multiple ways (at least 5), including as a fanny pack. So, I get the belt bag look without any commitment since I can wear it differently. For tips on saving for pricier purchases, check out this post.

fanny pack

What I love most about fanny packs is the convenience of the completely hands-free bag. I’m also loving that they can function as belts, cinching the waist or adding perfect finishing touches to a look.

In this look, I wanted my belt bag to tie the outfit together, literally and figuratively. While the bag adds a nice finishing touch, it’s also holding my blanket scarf together as a poncho. I was gifted this oversized plaid scarf at an event at Mix & Match, a small boutique in St. Louis offering styles that effortlessly mix and match. If you’re local, you can find this scarf in 3 prints for $25 there.

Location: Downtown St. Louis

Shop for a High-Fashion Fanny Pack:

 

These Mini Bags are a Real Treat

Happy Halloween! Here at Economy of Style, we’re all about the treats, but not those high-calorie, edible ones. Handbags though? Yass! One of my favorite handbag trends this year has been mini bags. Think small…like really small.

I’ve been opting for smaller bags (see my favorites here, here, and here) since last year because there really is no need to carry all the things all the time. So, as a little Halloween treat, I thought I’d round up some of the mini bags I’m loving right now. These bags are tiny, but they do fit the essentials.

Mini Bags

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Related: Top Circle Bags of 2017