Summer Fashion 2018: How to Stay On Trend Without Breaking the Bank

The longer I have been an actual "blogger" and not just an "Instagrammer" (even thought I'm still both),  I find myself feeling more and more like I'm trying to keep up with the mega bloggers and their daily outfits made with entirely new items.  Although I love to share my shopping finds and how I integrate new pieces into my home and wardrobe, it is not something I am able to do on the daily.  I have to remember why I fell in love with platforms like Pinterest and Instagram in the first place.  It was not because this is where I went to do my shopping--it was where I went for INSPIRATION.  I never felt the pressure to buy items but saw photo outfits made with pieces I already had in my closet and found new ways to style them that I had never thought of before.  At times, I felt that there were things I needed to buy, but honestly, the pieces I wanted were more like closet basics and foundational items (i.e., different color blazers, pants, sweaters) that I could integrate into my wardrobe and use on a rotation for a variety of daily looks.  

Some of you probably think I do a TON of shopping.  I do LOVE to shop, but many of my clothes are items that I've collected for YEARS.  Don't hate me, but my size and body really has not changed since I was very young.  As a result, clothes continue to fit me.  I only get rid of items if they are super worn out, shrunk, pilled, or VERY out of style.  Sometimes I will get rid of it if I'm super sick of it; however, the out of style clothing and the items I don't care to see again will go in a plastic case under my bed for a year or two.  Sometimes, I will even resurrect these--trends come and go, and sometimes it is nice to break out a classic piece you haven't seen in awhile.  It is like shopping!

Now, I'm not saying I don't love shopping.  I obviously show my new items and finds, but I definitely can't keep up with having a new item on a daily basis.  I realize I also link up items for you to browse and even purchase.  I especially like to do this if is something I just bought that is currently available or if I'm able to find super similar items in the event you are looking for a piece that is a basic to add to your wardrobe. 

Even though I link up items and integrate new items, you will often see me recycling the many items in my closet and adding a few new pieces I have here and there.  Like most regular people, I can't afford to shop and add hundreds of new clothing items into my closet weekly.  After having to catch up from some expenses then having to splurge on home expenses (like fixing up the outside and replacing central air), I am needing to cut back on my spending on clothes and shoes.  Some things I will always try to set aside money for are my hair, make-up, skin care, and nails.  My philosophy is that you can be wearing a pretty basic outfit, but if you have these other pieces in place, you will still feel good about yourself when you're stepping out.  

As a result, I was starting to think about how I could really recreate absolutely new looks I've never worn before from what I already have in my closet to say on trend for summer 2018 without having to go out and buy a bunch of new stuff.   I was able to add a few new pieces into my closet this past spring, so I do have some new pieces to work with.  I understand this may not be the case for everyone, but hopefully this will give you some ideas and inspiration to work with the items you already have in your closet, and if you ARE going to do some shopping, you buy items that will work for you for some time and be able to integrate some trendy pieces in at a low-cost price point.

So, here we go.  I'm breaking down some of the summer 2018 trend and how I plan to integrate these into my wardrobe without having to buy new items.

FLORALS

Floral prints have been a mainstay for spring and summer trends the past several years.  Although I think summer may be taking a step away from spring florals, I'm still seeing tons of these prints on pretty feminine tops, maxi dresses, dresses, and skirts.  So go for it with anything you have in your closet.  I still can bring out these tops and skirts from the last several years and not feel like I'm way out of style!  These options are so versatile--you can pair with a pencil skirt or dress pants for work, under a blazer or jean jacket, or top off black pants, a denim skirt, shorts, or jeans for brunch, a casual lunch date, or an evening out on the town.  

They generally go well with denim and black basics but try to bring out the colors in the patterns through pairing with skirts, pants, shoes, and blazers in those colors if you have them.  It will make the pattern pop and make the outfit look fresh.  

Here I re-styled this cute floral crop top with a pair of high-waist shorts and cute sandals (new from Venus. Believe it or not, I've never worn this top with denim or like this! I can't wait to try this outfit out.

You can buy my shorts and sandals below.

RUFFLES AND STRAW BAG

It seems as if you cannot get away from ruffles and straw bags this season!  Ruffles continue to be on trend, and they have been popular for the last couple of years, so feel free to go in your closet to bring out some more ruffles.  I busted out this ruffle halter top that is MANY years old (and also in a fabulous floral print!) and is still a classic piece to wear!  

Although the straw bag trend tends to be circular or adorned with pom-poms or tassels, I have not yet invested in this for the season.  In the meantime, I'm using a classic Micheal Kors straw bag.  It may not be in the trendiest silhouette, but I think straw bags are ALWAYS in style for summer, so I feel like this bag is classic and ties the above look together.

My heels are newer:

STRIPES

When aren't stripes in style?!  This is a classic, preppy pattern that I think is always en vogue, but it has been popular on soft, paperbag waist shorts and light tops.  I took this New York & Company striped tie halter top from a couple years ago and changed up the look by pairing with a new white leather like pencil skirt from Express and super affordable wedges from Payless.  I again added this classic straw bag, and I think it all screams nautical!

You don't need to purchase these items and can use whatever is in your closet, such as a linen white skirt or neutral wedges.  This top also looks good with navy bottoms, under a white blazer, or over denim shorts!

You can pick up my skirt and wedges here:

POLKA DOTS

Just like stripes, I'm not sure there has ever been a time when polka dots weren't a classic go-to, but I continue to see polka dots on all sorts of summer silhouettes.  I own a bunch of polka dot items, but decide to show case this blue polka dot top from New York & Company (two years ago) in a stripe pattern in a couple different ways.  I like the versatility of the top for work or casual, and you can pair it with light or dark pencil skirts, heels, wedges, and jeans.

OFF THE SHOULDER TOPS, CROP TOPS, AND HIGH WAIST CUT-OFFS

I am featuring two outfits here that integrate off the shoulder tops, crop tops, and high waisted cut-off, which appear to still be on trend for the summer.

This first outfit takes an older off the shoulder top from Express (two years old) and pairs it with high waisted denim shorts.  I would tuck this form-fitting top into the shorts and top it off with some trendy wedges from Shoedazzle for 2018.

Here are some of the times in the outfit above:

For this outfit, I paired an older crop top from Target with high waist shorts and fun sandals from Venus.  I actually can't wait to resurrect these pieces and wear it on a casual date night with Terry.

Although these denim shorts are newer, I have two high-waisted pairs that I plan to bring out this season too.  I just figured since I was linking, I'd use the newer pair. 

Again, my primary purpose is inspiration.   

Here are my shorts, sandals, and some similar crop tops:

DON'T FORGET THE BASICS!

When it is a hot summer day, the last thing we want to think about is wearing a ton of clothes with layers, jewelry, and anything too complicated.  We want light, simple, yet sophisticated and chic.  You might think that wearing basic Old Navy tank tops is way too standard (and I'll admit I wear them the standard way too often), but you CAN dress these up super cute.  Sometimes minimal is chic and cool as compared to trying way too hard.  

I really like how these two outfits are a classic, summer look that exude chicness!  The first is great for errands or running to an estate sale, and the last is perfect for a quick early dinner at the bar.  I might bring these out to wear soon! 

If you take a little time and think creatively, you definitely can wear older items a whole different way and still be on trend.  This is one of my favorite things to do with the items in my closet.  

What ways have you remixed items in your closet in a whole different way?!  I'd love to hear your ideas and inspiration in the comments below!