I don’t know about you, but I’ve been trying to declutter and simplify my life where ever I can — including my wardrobe. But I still have that craving so many of us have to look nice and fashionable and be able to accessorize as I please. So what’s a girl to do?
Enter: On a Shoestring!
I’m collaborating with Angelica from Gardening in High Heels on a series of posts where we will reimagine fashion, food, decor and more all on a shoestring budget. We’re out to prove that it doesn’t take mountains (or even molehills) of money to look fashionable and put together.
This month’s challenge: Transition a summer dress into a fun, fall-friendly outfit.
I originally hoped to do something with one of Josh’s flannel shirts, but that idea has yet to come to fruition. Instead, you get a lace-y summer dress transitioned into a makeshift skirt/sweater combo!
Here’s how the details breakdown — cost and all — from top to bottom!
- Scarf, unlabeled via Goodwill – $3
- Gray sweater, Old Navy – $0
- Lace dress, Solitaire via Nordstrom Rack – $0
- Purse, vintage via my sweet sister – $0
- Leggings, Lularoe – $0
- Booties, Old Navy, $0
*Note: $0 means it was already in my closet
So for $3 I took a very summery dress and transformed it into an entirely autumnal outfit. And you know what? A leather purse was one of my Fall Thrifting Goals anyway, so…two birds, one stone.

This On a Shoestring theme really challenged me to take a risk and make something work. Would I normally put a sweater over a dress? No, probably not. But thinking outside the box (and my closet) made me ask myself, ‘Why not?’ And it totally works.
Speaking of totally working, check out how Angelica took a flowy summer dress and made it more structured (and warmer!) for fall. I need to get me some of those tights…
So, what do you say: are you in for the November round of On a Shoestring?
What would you try to do On a Shoestring?
I’m *still* blown away that you took a white lace dress and made it totally fall worthy. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to incorporate your look into my rotation at some point. I’ve done it, but with extremely loud pattern mixing, so I want to try something that mixes textures like you’ve done.
Thanks for partnering up on this with me, friend!
Thanks, Angelica! This has been such an exciting start to our collaboration! I think there’s lots of fun things coming our way 🙂