Girls' Night Outfit for $100

As every woman knows, meeting a new group of people requires a new outfit. Men, don't ask why. It's expensive, time-consuming, and impractical, but whatever. It makes us feel good. When we look good, we feel good, and that confidence makes all the difference when meeting new people. That being said, I was going to try to conserve a little cash and only buy a pair of shoes...until I found these black and gold glitter G by GUESS Neola pumps So sexy! So comfortable! These were special, and I put back every pair I had in my hands so that I could buy them. But what to wear with them? Ah, the eternal question. Even fashion-conscious Neanderthal women of old have pondered this one. Cheetah or leopard? Cheetah? Leopard? The question in this case was one of dress vs. pants. A dress was clearly the better option-- what better way to show off amazing shoes than with miles of leg?-- but it also might come off as too stuffy for a meeting with a bunch of new people. I wanted to appear confident, comfortable, and effortlessly sexy. For me, that left pants-- super skinny jeans to be exact, in as dark a wash as possible. Oh, and a breezy tank top.

This proved to be a problem. After five stores, including American Eagle, I still could not find a good tank top. I mean, come on. This is Texas, not the Arctic Circle. It's hot. Like murder the nearest person for an ice cube hot. I'm surprised the entire population doesn't spend eight months of year in the nude it's so hot. Actually, that's what we should do. We should submit a letter to Congress stating that we will all (including our lovely Walmart brethren) run around in the buff until we are supplied with affordable and attractive summer clothing. My point is, you would think a tank top would be a staple in every store. However, American Eagle seems to specialize in clingy tops that anyone in Texas would sweat through in five minutes. In the end, I bought a $44 pair of dark wash skinny jeans from American Eagle, knowing that those at least would be perfect. In the never ending struggle to find durable jeans that fit my big booty, smaller waist, and short stature, American Eagle has been my go-to for the past four years.

On my way out, I noticed Cotton On, the Australia-based company known for its great basics and even better prices. After looking around, I realized the place really lived up to the hype. Basic tees for less than $10? Why go anywhere else? After all, I wanted to buy a tank top, not put a down payment on a used car. Be warned, Cotton On is dangerous. You eventually just have to stop browsing because you will want to blow your entire budget on everything you try on. I came in for one breezy tank top, and left with three plus a fashion dare: a tie-dye silk kimono. Grand total for the day: $130 (I had a coupon for DSW). The grand total for the outfit itself was about $100 (one tank top, jeans, pumps with $10 off coupon). Time to go home. I think I'll wear the emerald green tank top with the pumps and the skinny jeans. Or maybe the black tank top... Green or black? Oy...

Lola's Tip of the Day: Glitter accessories are totally trendy, but are you leaving a trail of the stuff everywhere you go? Mist your sparkly accessory with hairspray to keep from becoming Tinker Bell every time you leave the house.