Photos: Erika McDaniel
Adding accessories is one of the easiest – and cheapest – ways to spice up an outfit. Something as simple as a little black dress can be made office chic, cocktail fabulous or club couture based on the accessories paired with the dress. This weekend your favorite Philly Budget Fashion Scene Examiner gave herself a challenge: find a gold, layered or multi-chain necklace for $10 or less.
Layered/multi-chain necklaces have been all the rage this summer and they show no signs of slowing down this fall, especially when the mantra for 2009 seems to be “the more the better” as far as accessories go. Looks like Coco Chanel’s sage advice ("take one thing off before leaving the house") is for the birds this season. However, when living on a budget, the less you spend on a trendy accessory, the better. Thus, the challenge to find the summer’s (and hopefully fall’s) hottest accessory for $10 or less.
Finding the perfect accessory for a 26-year-old fashion diva on a budget is easier said than done. Hours were spent scouring the accessory shelves (in the throngs of Back to School shoppers, no less!) looking for the perfect combination of edgy yet sophisticated, trendy yet timeless. A number of stores had promising leads (and sales):
- Wet Seal had a wall full of accessories and tons of layered/multi-chain necklaces, however the gold collection was limited. And, it was tough to get anywhere near the wall between the throws of Back to School tweens and teens tearing through the aisles. A better alternative? Shopping for the accessories online where you can get free shipping on all orders over $15 through August 14, 2009.
- Aldo Accessories has one of the most extensive collections of reasonably priced jewelry out. Sale prices can start as low at $8 and they rock one of the best “buy one, get one free” sales around. Truth be told, there was a perfect gold, layered chain necklace that had a certain Philly Budget Fashion Scene Examiners name all over it. However, staying true to the challenge, it remained on the shelf due to the $24 price tag. Be sure to check out Aldo Accessories for yourself.
The winner? Bakers Shoes in King of Prussia Mall. By pure luck, or happenstance, Bakers was boasting one of the best Back to School sales around, jewelry that is “buy one, get one half off.” On top of that, the clearance shelf had just what the doctor ordered – a multitude of layered and multi-chain gold necklaces freshly marked down to $4.99 – $6.99. If every day were so lucky! The loot? A gold, multi-chain necklace with delicate circles and knots and a bonus long gold necklace with heart shaped pendant (both pictured). Total damage? $8.98.
The moral of the story: Search far and wide, high and low for reasonably priced accessories to add punch to any outfit.
Shop smart, not hard!
Got questions? Email me!
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