Last week I talked about how to shop for a capsule wardrobe on a small budget and shared some of my favorite finds with you from the big box stores. Boutique options often feel out of our price range and, in my experience, sometimes feel like one trick ponies. I am partnering up with a local business, Ali on the Boulevard, to showcase items that you can get LOTS of wear out of and the highest priced item is just $38, keeping you right within your budget. Once you see all the ways that you can style these, I know that you will see how versatile they are for your wardrobe and the diversity in these pieces.
All items are available for shipping to you and online so you can take advantage of these pieces no matter where you live.
Let’s get started!
wrap dress, (ali on the boulevard), nude heels (similar, target), burgundy bubble necklace (similar, kohls), faux tan legs (amazon), bralette (ali on the boulevard)
Wrap Dress Style #1
If you are looking for an alternative to your little black dress, I found this gray heathered wrap dress (did you see she named it after me- awww!!) in an a-line cut that makes a great substitute. Wrap dresses, as long as I have been around, never go out of style and are a fun piece to accessorize with. The material is very soft and feels like a nightgown. I am wearing a Small and I find this to just fit. I would size up one in this one!
Ali advised wearing this with a bralette. You know that I have preached and preached that Coobi bras are the next best thing to sliced bread, but I did hear from you that some of you can’t pull it off without support (LUCKY DUCKS!). Her shop offers bralettes that are not padded and can be worn with your regular bra, offering the support you need, without the bulk, seam, or annoying roll-up of a cami.
Cami rolls are the worst.
This first look is a great look for a nice dinner out or for church!
wrap dress, (ali on the boulevard), flannel shirt (similar, j. crew), tassel booties– your feet will say thank you over and over again (tom’s), zodiac necklace (ali on the boulevard)
Wrap Dress Style #2
Here is the same dress, but now I am wearing it like a skirt, a trick anyone with a capsule wardrobe is doing on repeat in their wardrobe! I tucked the tie inside the shirt and tied the hem of my flannel shirt. I am wearing a J. Crew factory flannel in an XS and I can’t rave enough on how well this washes and the fit on this shirt. You will get lots of wear out of that piece too! This didn’t need a lot of accessorizing so I went with a small zodiac necklace from the shop. You can see a close-up on my IG feed.
wrap dress, (ali on the boulevard), mustard cardigan– (h&m), burgundy tights (target), tan boots (thredup)
Wrap Dress Style #3
Dresses can still look cozy especially when paired with a longer cardigan, boots, and tights. I tied the tie towards the back so you wouldn’t have it hanging out in the front. This is a great look to look dressier, but still super comfy for your day. If you haven’t discovered fleece tights, get some for winter. You can find them even at Walmart now!
wrap dress, (ali on the boulevard), burgundy cardigan– (h&m), burgundy tights (target), tan boots (thredup), gray & white rose patterned scarf- check out her scarf collection (ali on the boulevard), belt (similar, target)
Wrap Dress Styling #4
Indiana can get chilly so I do a lot of scarves and sweater layerings to fight off the cold. This time I am just doing tone on tone. Gray dress, gray scarf, burgundy cardigan, burgundy tights. Adding a belt makes this feel more like a skirt again!
wrap dress, (ali on the boulevard), jean vest (thredup– here is a similar one on budget) , burgundy tights (target), tan boots (thredup), pearls (similar, target)
Wrap Dress Styling #5
Jean vests are such a versatile piece so I am excited to add that to the capsule this year. A bib necklace of pearls adds a feminine touch to the denim and, once again, it’s all layered over that basic wrap dress!
Here is a side-by-side shot if you prefer pinning that way! Can you believe that is the same wrap dress?
rust sweater– olive in stock and rust returning!! (ali on the boulevard), black pants with zipper detail (ali on the boulevard), long & short necklaces (ali on the boulevard), world’s comfiest leopard flats (Amazon), bralette (ali on the boulevard)
Oversized Sweater Styling #1
Ponchos and capes are so fun, but can be a PAIN to stay on and the fabric can be a lot to maneuver on a petite frame. I find the ones without arm holes to be distracting and the ones with arm holes to limit my range of motion. I also hate doing chores around the house with a lot of fabric on me. I am PARTICULAR. This sweater has the shape of a cape, but is a sweater with sleeves. Ali has these in a few color options for you. I am wearing the Rust colored one and a size Small. This fits true to size!
In this styling I am pairing these very simply with a basic black pant, leopard slip-ons, and a long & short simple necklace.
rust sweater (ali on the boulevard), black pants with zipper detail (ali on the boulevard), long & short necklaces and bracelet- shop the collection (ali on the boulevard), world’s comfiest leopard flats (Amazon), belt (similar, target), bralette (ali on the boulevard)
Oversized Sweater Styling #2
I prefer a cinched waist so this is the same styling, just with a belt. I think it gives it a totally different look without a lot of style switches.
rust sweater (ali on the boulevard), black pants with zipper detail (ali on the boulevard), world’s comfiest black flats (Amazon), mustard scarf (anthro from thredup, linking to similar) mustard belt (j. crew from thredup, linking to similar)
Oversized Sweater Styling #2
I like color so I have lots of colored belts and scarves to dress up my wardrobe basics. Adding a colored belt and scarf makes this sweater feel like a different piece. You could also chose just one or the other instead of layering on both!
rust sweater (ali on the boulevard), black pants with zipper detail (ali on the boulevard), black bralette (ali on the boulevard), tan boots (thredup), mint statement necklace (similar), bralette (ali on the boulevard)
Oversized Sweater Styling #3
You know when you see pictures of women wearing capes and gazing at their cell phones while holding tiny dogs in their purses? I feel like this is tiny dog in a purse style and I don’t even like dogs. #teamcats!! You can pick a statement necklace in any color and make this look a little different. The best part is how comfy this is while still looking polished.
Here is a side-by-side shot if you prefer pinning that way! I LOVE this piece!
textured printed t-shirt (ali on the boulevard), Just Black black jeans (Stitch Fix), Moccasins (Kenneth Cole, Stitch Fix). chevron necklace (francesca’s)
Plain tees can get a little boring so I was excited to find this t-shirt because the cut is really flattering (and comes in a curvy size too for my curvier friends-holla!). The best part about this piece is that the front is as cute as the back. This shirt runs true to size and I am wearing a small!
Hard to show you the back so this is the best I could pull off, but you can see it MUCH better on her site. Isn’t that cute?
T-Shirt Styling #1
This is a great mom uniform- a cute t-shirt, black jeans, and suede moccasins. I am still madly in love with my chevron necklace and this looks great with this shirt. This is a great outfit for running my kids back and forth to activities.
textured printed t-shirt (ali on the boulevard), suede booties(similar,old navy), rose jeans (similar, 6PM), jeweled statement necklace (similar, romwe)
T-Shirt Styling #2
Colored jeans can be fun and I love pairing this with my rose jeans. Suede booties and a statement necklace in similar tones completes this look and makes it a fun one to go out on the town with!
textured printed t-shirt (ali on the boulevard), black pants with zipper detail (ali on the boulevard), Madden Girl Open Toe Booties (similar, Macy’s), mustard tassel clutch (similar, cotton on), fringe necklace (WALMART!!, but linking to similar)
T-Shirt Styling #3
Tees don’t always feel like great going out choices, but I have found with the right accessories, they can feel quite dressy. This bib necklace made of fringe was a $4 find from Walmart that I still love. Paired with black pants, booties, and a bright clutch, this would make the perfect sushi date outfit with my hubby!
textured printed t-shirt (ali on the boulevard), black pants with zipper detail (ali on the boulevard), black cardigan (h&m), tan boots (thredup), red skinny belt (target), pearl necklace (ali on the boulevard)
T-Shirt Styling #4
I feel like I could style this shirt and pants the very next day and no one would even know this was the same shirt and pants! Layering a neutral cardigan over it and cinching the tee waist with a skinny belt adds a totally different look. It hides the pattern, making this feel like a different piece.
Here is another side by side for you! I love the versatility of this piece!
You may not have noticed that these pants are on repeat too. Did you catch that? If you are looking for something that fits like a legging, but offers support and doesn’t pill, these are an EXCELLENT option. On me, they sit above the belly button and are full length. For taller girls, this might have a cropped affect (LUCKY LADIES!!). The shot all the way to the right is how I folded them inside themselves so they would look more cropped.
My favorite part is the zippered detail on the side. How cute is that? These fit true to size and have faux pockets on the back that make them look like a pant (without the bulk of a pocket), but offer an elastic waistband. I know I will be wearing these all the time and I am told that they wash like a dream. I still would wear something with full butt coverage over them, personally (elderly hipster!), but I like that they look like a structured traditional pant instead of tights.
You might be surprised to know that I wear my sneakers A LOT. These pants pair perfectly with sneakers. My favorite classic New Balance sneakers are always in rotation, but I know those can be a little pricey. Ali actually sells these adorable sneakers for $26 (!!!), that look so stylish and are surprisingly comfortable. I have a wide foot and this is wide enough for my block feet. These only come in whole sizes. I teeter between a 7 and a 7.5, but the 7’s still had plenty of toe room for me! There was no need to break these in- I never had a blister. You can’t beat that price for an attractive street sneaker.
I can’t wait to hear what you think of these looks AND I hope you can help me support a small business owner. This is a great opportunity to help a woman owned business succeed & stock smart basics in your capsule!
This post contains affiliate links. I only recommend what I love- promise!! Your purchases help sustain this site so THANK YOU!! Ali & I are working on a partnership to offer our readers affordable clothing options for your capsule wardrobe needs. Thank you for supporting her small business!