Summer is the time for music and sun dresses.

Summer is the time for music festivals. I have had the pleasure of going to both Coachella in CA and Bonnaroo in TN. They are two very distinct music festivals with unique fashion.

Coachella is the hipster festival in CA and it is in the middle of the desert. The sun beams down for about 10 hours a day and you have to keep yourself protected. The fashion was all over the place from goth chics to hippie kids.

My suggestion for a festival or outdoor concert similar to Coachella is this:



It will protect your shoulders, keep you cool in the heat and you will look awesome.

You can purchase this outfit here
for $34.99.

Bonnaroo is in TN and it definitely has a hippie vibe. It is also incredibly hot but the sun is not as brutal, however, it is much dirtier. By the end of the weekend I was covered in head to toe dust. White would not be a great option for this festival.

Here is my pick for a concert or festival with a hippie scene:





You can purchase this outfit here
for $34.99.

Red, white and blue with Jane

Normally, I shy away from theme dressing. It tends to be cheesy and if you are 12, traumatic. A horrendous jumper dress with christmas trees my mother made me wear when I was 12 still haunts my dreams and my photo albums.

However, when I saw this skirt I just couldn't leave it in the store.


This outfit including the below accessories can be found on www.outfitkit.com for $34.99.




It was just too cute. I must of been with the game because this month's Jane Magazine freatures red, white, and blue items for under $25. They add a little caveat that you should wear it July 3rd so you can be fashion forward, which is too cute!

They also feature a pair of Bamboo brand flats. Bamboo is one of my favorite shoe companies and we have several pairs on www.outfitkit.com.



Get your complete July 3rd outfit today!

Shop on the cheap

I am not a fashion diva. I don't care about labels. I don't care about the next big designer. I don't covet the "it" bag. I appreciate design. I appreciate art. I appreciate style. I just don't need to spend trillions of dollars on clothes. I certainly would not down anyone who is into fashion but it just isn't me. (If I could afford it I might feel differently but I doubt it.)

I like to look stylish, cute on the cheap without running into 12 people wearing the same outfit, which means not shopping at the major discount stores such as Old Navy, Gap, Wal-mart, or Target. Occasionally, I shop Forever 21 but try to limit that to basics. H&M used to be good but they have really increased their prices since I started shopping there around 2003 and they became more popular.

So here are my basic guidelines for shopping on the cheap without going to major discount chains.

1. Be open-minded. Just because you think a place is a ghetto store doesn't mean they don't have good stuff. You just might have to dig a little. Oftentimes, those places get stuff from other stores that hasn't sold. For example, I got a great pair of jeans at Family Dollar that I wore forever. I still have a bag from FD.

2. Check the fabric. Steer clear of stiff fabric that just screams cheap. You should also check for any holes or tears in the fabric.
3. Dig, Dig, Dig. You have to use your intuition and eye to spot fashion-forward items in discount stores. I once got a darling dress at the Lot store. I think it was supposed to be a night gown but it worked.
3. Accessories. Discount stores are great places for accessories, specifically, handbags. Again, you have to have a good eye but you can generally get a cute bag for less than $10.
4. Thrift. Of course, thrift stores can be a great place for vintage items. I don't shop there for outfitkit but I do for my personal wardrobe. Again, I steer clear of vintage clothing stores. They tend to be expensive but you generally don't have to dig as much to find something good. I stick with the Salvation Army or Goodwill. My sister picked up a great Betsey Johnson dress for $7.00 at the Salvation Army.

Fortunately, I live in NYC, which is basically a giant shopping mall. The discount stores to shop are basically endless. You may have to be a little more creative in other parts of the country.

You can make it super easy on yourself and shop with OutFitKit. Below is our most popular outfit of the week. You get the complete outfit including dress, jewelry and a purse for $34.99 Add shoes and they ship for free.

Off to shop

Heading out today for more outfits for the store. Check in tomorrow at www.outfitkit.com. for new outfits.

My favorite outfit of the day is the retro print sunflower dress. I really love the unique print.