madewell – Page 2 – Budget & Brunch

4 Ways to Style a Leopard Midi Skirt

November 7, 2019November 7, 2019by Budget&Brunch

Ok, so if you have followed along with me for a while, you know that I am a shortie and I often look for clothes that help elongate my legs. Needless to say, midi skirts that don’t “shrink” me even farther are hard to find; so when I found this Leopard Midi Skirt for $15 (score)–I had to try it!

So I decided to style this midi skirt with 4 different “looks” in mind!

FYI: All items featured fit TTS and although this s=midi is no longer available I have linked similar ones at the bottom of the page!

Look 1: The Relaxed Look

*(FYI: My top is from Target but it isn’t available online so I found one on Amazon to link)

If there is one thing I love it’s comfort mixed with fashion! Pairing a graphic tee with a leopard skirt may seem like a bold move, but it can truly elevate a graphic tee so much. I decided to pair my “girls” graphic tee from Target with my Midi and I truly couldn’t love this tee shirt any more. Could it BE more perfect 😏?

I completed the look with some white sneakers and felt like I was ready to take on the world. I think this is my favorite look! You could also elevate the look with some minimalistic jewelry and a denim jacket for cooler days!

Look 2: The Sweater Weather Look

I couldn’t not incorporate a chunky sweater! With the temperatures chaining-at least here in NC-I wanted to show a warmer option. I don’t know about you, but I tend to get hot very easily; so although it may be 45 degrees outside, I need to wear something breathable. Pairing a cozy chunky sweater with a breathable midi is perfect for those of us that tend to get a little warmer during the fall/winter days! I paired a cream sweater to create a monochromatic look, because I am SO in to monochromatic lately and it can be so easily done.

Side note, iff you don’t get hot easily, you could always wear tights!

I decided to pair this outfit with The Kat Chelsea Boot for a styling cozy vibe. I absolutely love these boots and I am so glad I purchased them! They have quite a high heel but because it is a chunky heel and the inside is padded they feel great!

Look 3: The Holiday Inspired Look

Is there anything more classic than leopard paired with red? Wether is a bold red lip or a bold red turtle neck, it creates a timeless look! I wanted to show a holiday inspired look sense several Holidays are right around the corner (eek)!

The turtle neck helps create a cozy feeling and warm up the outfit while the midi skirt allows for movement and a little wiggle room just in time for the eating season 😉. I decided to go with my gold glitter mules from Madewell, because I mean what else would I pair with this haha. Although these exact mules aren’t available anymore, I have linked similar pairs!

To dress this look up even more you could throw on some tights and heels!

Look 4: The Versatile Look

Let me start by saying I love this Shrunken Ex-Boyfriend Shirt from Madewell! It was the perfect addition to my closet. I think having a dressy-ish button down in your closet is important because it is such a versatile piece. You can literally pair it with anything! This one in particular is a little shorter so it fits my torso great.

When putting these two looks together I wanted to show how versatile this outfit could be! You can go from business casual to business chic by simply swapping out the shoes! Of course, you can always elevate the look by accessorizing with jewelry or tights. I also decided to tie a front knot with this shirt to create a visual was it line and somewhere for the eye to fall. It also helps create a chic look with minimal effort!

There you have it folks, 4 different ways to wear a leopard print midi. I love how each of these looks creates a different vibe and you can wear it however you’d like depending on your mood!

Here are some more similar skirts in case the one linked isn’t your style! Hope you enjoyed the read, be sure to subscribe and let me know what you’d like to see next!

Similar leopard midi

Madewell Denim vs Everlane Denim

July 18, 2019December 10, 2019by Budget&Brunch

If you know me, even slightly, you know that I love Madewell; especially their denim. I am truly Madewell obsessed 😳. Not only do I love their fit, but I love that they have fair trade denim. I first saw Everlane popping up on some larger blogger accounts that I follow and was intrigued by their ethically made clothing.

When I looked in to Everlane clothing, I couldn’t help but notice that they had some cheaper options for denim. When they had their “Choose What You Pay” sale, I knew I had to try some of their denim. Once I ordered a pair, for only $48, I noticed some similarities in my Madewell jeans and thus decided to compare them for you all!

Let me preface by saying that anytime I purchase online, I research. Meaning, I read reviews and make sure I am getting the “right” size for me–I think is so important to keep in mind that sizing is different in every store.

Just because you have to go up or down sizes, doesn’t mean you should punish yourself or your body.

With that being said, the Madewell denim that I am referencing here was trial and error to find my size. I got The Curvy Perfect Vintage Jean in Fitzgerald Wash from Madewell for $98, that’s right I said the curvy fit and I am not ashamed. The Perfect Vintage Jean in Fitzgerald Wash fit me in the waist and the sales lady told me they looked awesome, from the outside looking in, they probably did. You couldn’t tell that they literally made my butt feel (and in my opinion look) like a pancake, I could barely move in them, and I was very uncomfortable. I definitely could’ve bought them if I gave a shit about size and the “regular fit” versus the “curvy fit”…but I don’t. I ended up with the petite size 27, also keep in mind that in the regular fit of these jeans I had to go up a size.

When it came to the Everlane jeans, I got The High-Rise Skinny Jean and wasn’t expecting to see any similarities in them versus my curvy fitted Madewell jeans. For reference, I got the ankle size 29 in these. Below is a side by side photo of the jeans.

Left: Madewell Right: Everlane

You can see that they are cut differently in the hip/thigh area and the ankles seem to be more fitted on the Everlane jeans. But when I put them both on, they fit so similarly. The wash is also very similar! With the Madewell jeans being 100% cotton and the Everlane jeans being 98% cotton, I feel that I get more stretch out of the Everlanes and slightly more gapping in the waist.

The Madewell jeans fit a little looser in the hips and ankles while the Everlane jeans are more fitted. However, both give the elusion of a loose fit toward the bottom. They both hug my hips and butt very well. I will say, it’s easier to sit in the Everlane jeans, but somehow I find the Madewell jeans more comfortable. Here are three comparison photos to see how each pair fit me:

Left: Madewell Right: Everlane

Shirt | Madewell Jeans | Everlane Jeans | Shoes

Left: Madewell Right: Everlane

Hat | Shirt | Madewell Jeans | Everlane Jeans | Shoes

Left: Madewell Right: Everlane

Shirt | Madewell Jeans | Everlane Jeans| Bag | Shoes

I like the look of both and I feel like both can be dressed up or down. The price comparison is $98 for the Madewell pair and $48 for the Everlane pair. So if you want to go the cheaper route, then you may want to try the Everlane pair. However, keep in mind that everyBODY is different and how these both look and feel on me may be completely different for you! Great news is, if you decide to purchase online, you can always exchange or return!

How to Style Denim Shorts

May 22, 2019May 22, 2019by Budget&Brunch

I think we’ve all been there, simply not wanting to wear shorts…at least, I have. I used to hate the thought of wearing shorts and showing my legs. Things I used to tell myself:

“I’m too pale”

“My calves are too thick”

“My thighs are too thick”

“My thighs make my shorts ride up”

“I’ll look inappropriate”

Lets break down why this is completely wrong to do. First of all, none of the above are validation for not wearing shorts. All of the above are society based thoughts that have been cultivated after years of being told “what beauty is”.

Be like Daenerys and break those chains! Start telling yourself why you should wear shorts…

“It’s hot outside”

“I want to wear shorts today”

“I don’t need a reason”

Now that we’ve got that covered…shorts are actually super versatile and easy to style. Over on my IGTV channel I styled the High-Rise Denim Shorts in Erwin Wash: Cutoff Edition from Madewell three different ways! For size reference, I am 5′ tall and usually wear a 27 or 28 at Madewell. These shorts are pretty stretchy so I went with my most common size there, a 27.

The fit of these shorts is to die for! They come up to my belly button and hug my curves, yet they flare out just a smidge on my thigh which creates an a-line affect and flatters my figure.

Since these are high waist shorts, they look best with a crop top, tucked shirt, or tied shirt. I chose to either front tuck and front tie for all three of my looks.

Look Number 1:

The Weekend Look

Headband | Sweatshirt | Shorts | Belt Bag | Shoes

I decided to pair a graphic sweatshirt, which is currently on sale, with these shorts for the ultimate weekend look. The sweatshirt helps to dress down the shorts and add a comfy casual vibe. I front tucked the sweatshirt to create a waistline and make way for my belt bag (hehe). The belt bag allows you to be hands free and compliments the weekend vibes!

I added the headband to pull from the colors in the sweatshirt. This creates contrast and allows the faint colors in the sweatshirt to pop and draw the eye to the message “the modern woman”!

Throw on any old sneakers and it will look good, but I decided to pair this outfit with my converse , because they simply slide on and I can go!

Look Number 2:

The Brunch Date Look

To me, this look screams brunch date/farmer’s market/plant lady. I’m not sure if it’s the hat, the graphic tee, or the look as a whole, but I do so love it!

I decided to front knot my graphic tee to, again, create that waistline. This also makes me look taller, because it elongates my legs and torso. The graphic tee says, “Here’s to Strong Women” and has a cute graphic of different types of women. I love the message and I love that it supports a small business owner. Her name is Emily and she has a shop called A Little Papery, click here to visit her Etsy shop! She has the cutest graphic tees and more! I am wearing a size M and if gives me enough length to front knot tie it.

The hat is quickly becoming one of my favorite accessories! It is a dupe for the Madewell one and it looks identical. To me, it adds some flare that says, “I tried to get dressed today”, but also hides that day 4 hair…ya get me?

Add some sneakers and you’re ready to walk out of the door!

Look Number 3:

The Dressy Casual Look

Hat| Shirt | Blazer | Shorts | Shoes

You don’t often see a blazer paired with denim shorts, which is exactly why I decided to pair this blazer with these denim shorts! When it comes to fashion, I feel like you have to step outside your comfort zone and try different things.

To dress up these shorts a bit, I added an oversized blazer over a front tucked blousey top. This combination creates a super dressy feel. The blazer is longer and almost meets the end of the shorts, so tucking the shirt creates a nice break up and, yeat again, gives that waistline!

I paired this with the hat to make the outfit a little more fun and the loafer mules to keep it dressy.

Moral of the blog: wear what you want!

Styling White Jeans

May 16, 2019May 16, 2019by Budget&Brunch

Ok, white jeans…my arch nemesis. Why? Because, they show every little detail of every little detail 🙃. I thought for sure I would never wear white jeans again, until I found the High Rise Ankle Flare Jeans from Abercrombie. They have them in short–for the record I did size up. I tend to size up in white jeans, not sure if there is something in the dying process, but they always seem to fit me a little tighter than normal jeans!

Let’s talk about why I think these white jeans are different….

First off, they have this extremely cute flare detail that is cut to make accentuate your figure and the flare makes your legs look longer and stronger 😉.

These jeans are also very comfortable, there is a good bit of stretch in them. If you prefer a tighter fit I recommend staying with your regular sizing, but as I mentioned, I sized up, because I prefer a slightly looser fit.

I noticed that I can’t see through these jeans which is a HUGE plus when it comes to white jeans. I mean…don’t get me wrong, I don’t think you can wear hot pink undies and not see though them, but I was able to wear nude undies and not see them. I know you’re probably like, well duh, they’re nude. However, I have had white pants in the past where you could still see the undies!

One issue I have with these pants is that they’re pocket-less 😢. I had pockets in my wedding dress, ok? I love pockets, but I suppose the fit and comfort level can be exchanged for pockets…I suppose

White jeans are super versatile! Below I have styled them 5 different ways to show you that even with the flare they are still a great wardrobe staple!

Outfit Number 1

White Jeans | Shirt |Necklaces | Shoes

Outfit Number 2

Outfit Number 3

Outfit Number 4

White Jeans | Button Front Cami | Blazer |Necklaces | Shoes

Outfit Number 5

White Jeans | Button Front Long Sleeve Shirt | Necklaces | Shoes

There you have it, one pair of white jeans–5 different outfits. I tried to reuse several pieces and keep the accessories very minimal. These are a great everyday white jean and as I mentioned, a true wardrobe staple!

FYI: Here are the bags from my styling video: Transport Tote | Zip Top Transport Tote

Same jeans, four ways

February 11, 2019February 12, 2019by Budget&Brunch

Let’s talk about jeans for a second; if you follow my Instagram or you read “A Short Girl’s Guide to Madewell Jeans” you know that I love Madwell! I truly believe in their brand and their jeans fit my body so well.

With that being said, I often end up with jeans that are similar in style and vary in color. Don’t get me wrong, that’s cool and all, but I have challenged myself to go for jeans that are different!

I love a good pair of skinny jeans, I think they are so versatile and can be worn in so many different ways. However, I ave a closet full and I really wanted to venture out, so when Madewell came out with the new Cali Demi-Boot Jeans I knew I had to try them on for size!

When I purchased them, even the woman that worked at Madewell said that people were afraid of them. I thought, you know what…I am gonna buy these and wear them with confidence, because I want to! Below I have styled these cuties 4 ways. if you caught my Instagram stories I did a little style session, but for those who didn’t, I wrote this blog post!

These jeans fit tight through the hips and have a super stretch through the legs with a slight flare. As I’ve mentioned before, I am 5 feet tall so I tend to purchase petite or short clothing items. I got the petite size in these and they hit above the ankle to create a really fresh spring look!

The French Gal

The French Gal 2

Is it just me or is this “French girl style” the epitome of a fashionista? I am in love with the tied scarf around the neck look! For your inner french girl, I decided to pair these beauties with a simple, classic white shirt. The Courier Button-Back Shirt by Madewell goes great with just about anything. My theme is versatile style so I try to only get pieces that I can style over and over and it not be obvious 😉. I gave it a front tuck to enhance my waist line and paired the Tropical Coral bandana (or scarf) with this simple outfit to add a pop of color and add a stylish little detail. I, of course, wore mules with this outfit. I mean I cannot get over mules and how perfect they go with jeans, dress pants, and even some dresses! These are the Willa Loafer Mules in Brown (not sure that these are still available at Madewell, but they might be at Nordstrom)!

*If you haven’t quite channeled your inner french girl or you simply don’t care for the bandana around the neck, you can always utilize yours differently (see above how I styled it as a headband).

The Valentine Gal ❤️

To keep it true to Valentine’s Day this week, I decided to add in a cutesy valentine’s day inspired look that can totally be worn any other day of the year! I decided to pair a mock-neck black and white stripe shirt with the Cali Demi-Boot Jeans and an oversized cardigan. I decided to tuck the mock-neck, because anytime I wear a longer layered piece, the tuck helps create a waistline and make you look taller!

The mock-neck is from Target’s Universal Thread line and I purchased it last year. I am not sure if they have it anymore in that color, but here is a link to a different colored one. You might also like this one from Anthropologie, but it is on the pricey end. They shouldn’t be too hard to find, since stripes are in style always ❤️! The cardigan is also from Target’s Universal Thread line and is no longer found in stores, however, they have some similar options here and here! Note that it is a little longer on me because of my height and I bout it in an XL even though I wear a M, because I wanted the baggy look.

I paired my Willa Loafer Mules in Glitter, because they instantly make me feel fancy, but keep the comfort levels high 👏🏻. I also used the Tropical Coral bandana again as a hairband to add some visual interest! I also thought the red and pink combo made for an extra Valentine’s Day appearance.

The Casual Gal

For this look, I went for a more casual denim on denim approach. I, again, paired my Cali Demi-Boot Jeans with the same top from my Valentine Gal look, because as I have mentioned, I am in to versatile style and pieces that I can wear over and over. The denim jacket is a little darker than the jeans so it adds some contrast and I decided to leave my shirt untucked, which is a rarity for me, to add some length since my jean jacket is shorter. The jean jacket pictured is very old (by about 2 or 3 years), so I know J. Crew doesn’t still carry it; however jean jackets are EVERYWHERE. You can find some that are oversized or fitted depending on your style and comfort level!

I, again, paired my Willa Loafer Mules and Tropical Coral bandana to keep this look fun and “put together”. You could also pair some cute white tennis shoes with this look if you are going out for a day of walking and want something more supportive, but I will say that these mules don’t hurt my feet in the slightest bit once I broke them in. Switching them out for tennis shoes would completely change this look which is another amazing thing about versatile style! The bandana adds a nice pop of color and helps hide that day 3 hair am-I-right 🤗?

The Working Gal

This look gives me serious #boss vibes. I mean fist of all, the bright pink blazer is an eye catcher and I think it gives these jeans such a sophisticated look. I am wearing The Courier Button-Back Shirt again and tucked it in all the way around. I popped the collar too, because “ever since I can remember I been popping’ my collar” 😂 (anybody else remember that song?). The blazer is Halogen and I got it from my TrunkClub box! It is such an amazing piece and I couldn’t be happier with it. I got it in a MPetite and the length is perfect. It covers my butt just a bit and I roll the sleeves to create a more casual look. You can button the button if you want to look even more professional! You can find the blazer here, but it looks like there are limited sizes. Click here and here for similar options.

I paired The Frances Loafer Mule in the color Vintage White with this outfit. These are also from Madewell and are a great shoe, especially if you want to add some sophistication to your wardrobe! I have a wide foot and these feel great! I skipped out on the bandana for this look, but you could definitely incorporate it if you wanted to!

There you have it, same jeans, four ways! I hope this inspires you to go out of your comfort zone and try some new pieces. I also hope this helps you shop your closet! Re-using pieces to create different looks is so fun and nice for the wallet 😉! If you decide to try and recreate any of these tag me on Instagram @budgetandbrunch and use the #budgetandbrunch hashtag!

A Short Girl’s Guide to Madewell Jeans

December 18, 2018December 18, 2018by Budget&Brunch

Madewell is perhaps my FAVORITE clothing store. I first discovered them while shopping–yes, actually shopping in person not online😂! Their visual display window caught my eye. As I walked in and fell even deeper in love with their overall style, I was a little taken back by the prices.

Sticker shock is an understatement. But, as I often do, I told myself I would try their clothes on “for fun”.

THE JEANS FIT LIKE A GLOVE…A GLOVE I tell you!

I have a very difficult time buying jeans, because of my body type. I am 5′-0″ and have, what I like to call, a thicker frame. My thighs and calfs have always been bigger, I credit that to my soccer playing years ⚽️. So anytime I find jeans, or shirts for that matter, that fit me well I tend to want to purchase ASAP!

The jeans were perfect and I just knew I had to buy them. I told myself that I would purchase them and they would be my “good” pair of jeans. Little did I know that I would be purchasing about 5 pair after that…and counting.

The key with Madewell is to purchase on sale. First of all, they are currently doing a promotion where you can bring in ANY old pair of jeans and you get $20 off your next jean purchase. They also have sales quite frequently and you can find their jeans at Nordstrom.

*Side note: Madewell offers petite sizing (this sometimes means that everything is sized differently, but a Madewell associate told me that their “petite” is basically a “short” meaning they cut off a few inches). Correct me if I am wrong on that!

Now, let’s break these jeans down shall we?

These are the 10″ High-Rise Skinny Jeans in Hanna Wash

These are one of my favorite Madewell jeans. They fit so good and those pockets that Madewell has literally make me feel so tiny. I am pretty short and have a lot of curves; these jeans definitely enhance those curves and make me feel super good! They are tight fitted, but slightly flare at the ankle. I love them with a cute bootie or even a sock boot!

These are the Roadtripper Jeans in Jansen Wash

These babies are only $75 which is pretty cheap for Madewell. Plus, as I mentioned earlier, if you donate a pair of jeans, you’ll get $20 off! I love this wash, you can dress them up or down! They fit very well, but I have found them to be the stretchiest of all the Madewell jeans. I would recommend sizing down!

These are the 10″ High-Rise Skinny Jeans: Drop-Hem Edition and they are currently only $59.99, but there are limited sizes so hurry!

These were the first Madewell jeans I ever purchased–the ones I mentioned up top 👆. They are my favorite of all time, probably slightly due to the fact that they introduced me to a whole new world of jeans and partly due to the fact that they go with just about anything. They’re comfy too–I hate jeans that are high waisted and feel like they are cutting you in half when you sit down, these aren’t like that! The button detail add so much visual interest when you tuck a cute top. They also have a cute detail at the ankle that makes them pop from just any old pair of jeans.

These are the Wide-Leg Crop Jeans in Finney Wash

Talk about the perfect summer jean…these are it. I am really digging the wide leg trend and these hug in all the right spots. Another awesome thing about these jeans is that they can totally transition to fall/winter. They look great with a cute sock boot and dressy top to give off a modern 70s vibe. These jeans fit nice and tight to your waist and start to flare right at the high to elongate your legs and make you look smaller around the waist!

These are the 9″ High-Rise Skinny Jeans: Seamed Step-Hem Edition

I have to say that these are my least favorite. Although I love them, they fit big and I got the wrong size; however, they are a great weekend, errands to run, baseball game to attend, carpool duty jean! They offer some visual interest with the front leg seam and look extra cute with some sneakers! The drop hem and light color are nice for a dressed down look.

These are the 10″ High-Rise Skinny Jeans: Drop Step-Hem Edition

These are also on sale for $59.99 and they have a lot more size options! When I purchased these, they didn’t have any petite in stock, but luckily, Madewell hems FOR FREE…yes, free! You also get to pick the hem you want! So I got these bad boys hemmed and we both lived happily ever after 💕! They have a similar fit to the 10″ High-Rise Skinny Jeans: Drop-Hem Edition , but I would say these are little less stretchy. Is it just me or is this totally a Christmas day outfit?

There ya have it, my Madewell jeans explained! I hope this helps you with any future purchases from Madewell and remember they’re an investment piece 😏.

Look 1: The Relaxed Look

Look 2: The Sweater Weather Look

Look 3: The Holiday Inspired Look

Look 4: The Versatile Look

Just because you have to go up or down sizes, doesn’t mean you should punish yourself or your body.

“I’m too pale” “My calves are too thick” “My thighs are too thick” “My thighs make my shorts ride up” “I’ll look inappropriate”

“It’s hot outside”

“I want to wear shorts today”

“I don’t need a reason”

Look Number 1:

The Weekend Look

Look Number 2:

The Brunch Date Look

Look Number 3:

The Dressy Casual Look

Outfit Number 1

Outfit Number 2

Outfit Number 3

Outfit Number 4

Outfit Number 5

The French Gal

The Valentine Gal ❤️

The Casual Gal

The Working Gal

“I’m too pale”

“My calves are too thick”

“My thighs are too thick”

“My thighs make my shorts ride up”

“I’ll look inappropriate”