A classic black dress works as a neutral base for the rest of your outfit. You can dress it up or down, and make it your own by pairing it with accessories that fit your style. Finding one that works for your body shape, one that makes you look and feel darn good every time you put it on, makes it a true, LBD. From there it’s up to you to add your own flair.

I scored this BCBG Max Azria dress at a garage sale for $2. Yes, a garage sale. (It was a lucky fashion day.) So far, I’ve worn it out for drinks and recently to a summer wedding.

[I’m all about girly dresses and this one has an added layer underneath the skirt that gives it a fun little poof. I also love the length of this dress. It hits just slightly below the knee, which makes it perfect for more formal occasions.]

[This locket (also featured in a previous post) adds a touch of vintage style to my outfit.]

[I've been looking for an excuse to wear these probably-impractical-but too-cute-to-pass-up sunshine yellow heels.]

[Big smile. It's a good fashion day when I get to wear three of my favorite items in my wardrobe.]

For more fashion inspiration, follow me on Twitter @kirsten_hudson

Want to see more favorite outfits from everyday threads? Then check these out:

• This floral summer dress can transition easily between a summer and fall wardrobe.

Now that the season is shifting to fall (thank goodness!), you don’t have to pack away your lightweight dresses. They make great transitional pieces between summer and fall—for those odd days when Mother Nature can’t seem to make up her mind on the weather. Take the dress and add a pair of tights, fall boots, maybe a tank top underneath for added warmth and a cardigan, and you’re set for that cool-ish, but not chilly autumn weather.

During the summer, I paired this soft floral-patterned dress from PacSun with a brown woven belt found at a thrift store, a vintage golden necklace and cutout white flats from Target. Stay tuned for my autumn-inspired outfit using the same dress.

[Short, lightweight dresses are my summer favorites.]

[The rustic quality of this woven belt complements the delicate floral pattern of the dress.]

[Fueling my vintage-everything obsession, I bought this vintage necklace at a flea market for $4!]

[Take that 100 degree-plus temperatures. This outfit shows you can look cute and stay cool during the dog days of summer.]

[Speaking of dogs...my dog, Andi, wanted to take part in the "photo shoot." She's wearing a lovely light pink harness that complements her tan undertones.]

What do you think of my outfit? What’s your favorite summer attire? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.

For more fashion inspiration, follow me on Twitter @kirsten_hudson

Want to see more favorite outfits from everyday threads? Then check these out:

• Find out why this dress is everyday threads’ perfect little black dress.

I didn’t have any in my wardrobe until recently. During a browse through American Eagle, I spotted several brown woven belts that were in exactly the style I had been dreaming about. The store also displayed an adorable super skinny white one that I loved. Despite intricate plans in my mind about everything I could wear them with, my budget-conscious just wouldn’t allow me to spend $20-$30 on one belt.

But I had to fuel my bordering-on-crazy belt obsession. After perusing two thrift stores, I came home with three braided woven belts—all for less than $5. Fashion score!

[So far I've worn that skinny red number to liven up a simple black dress. I also belted it around a blue tunic shirt to add a pop of unexpected color.]

[Cinch a woven belt around a flowy shirt to define your waist.]

[My new collection of braided woven belts includes a skinny bright red belt, a distressed braided brown belt and a medium-sized hunter green linked belt.]

[I love the rustic quality of these belts, especially the brown one. Buying vintage means items will already look worn in and distressed—qualities that clothing companies often attempt to mimic.]

Photos by Kirsten Hudson

For more fashion inspiration, follow me on Twitter @kirsten_hudson

Do you love vintage? Then check out other vintage fashion finds from everyday threads:

• Learn how to combine vintage and modern pieces in your wardrobe.
• These menswear-inspired tuxedo pumps were found at a local Salvation Army. Guess how much they cost?
• Discover how vintage scarves can look oh-so modern.

I wanted to wear the vintage shoes immediately, but didn’t have the chance. As classic menswear-inspired shoes I wanted to wear them with business casual clothes, not my everyday jeans.

After receiving an internship opportunity in February, I finally got the chance to wear them in an office setting. Here’s my look from today:

[I finally wore my vintage Selby tuxedo pumps to the office. Photo by Kara Hudson.]

On a recent shopping trip to Arizona Trading Co., my local thrift store that buys, sells and exchanges vintage and contemporary clothing, I scored just that bargain.

These simple, gray 100 percent cotton pants were buried at the bottom of a sale bin. Really. I had to dig.

[I scored these gray Armani Exchange pants from a thrift store for two bucks. Photo by Kirsten Hudson.]

So far I’ve worn my designer steal to the office, where I’m completing an internship at The Packer, a weekly newspaper for the produce industry.

It just occurred to me that the first time I wore them I paired them with a deep purple H&M cowl neck sweater that I also bought at Arizona Trading Co., unfortunately not for $2.

While the pants don’t count as dress pants, they are nice enough to wear at my fairly casual office—if worn with an appropriate shirt. They also work great to go straight from the office to dinner or drinks. They’re not so “business-y” that I feel silly wearing them at a bar, but they still look appropriate for work.

What do you think of my bargain? Have you scored any deals lately? Tell me about them in the comments section.

For more fashion inspiration, follow me on Twitter @kirsten_hudson

Love a good bargain? Then check out everyday threads other fun thrift store finds:

• These menswear-inspired tuxedo pumps were found at a local Salvation Army. Guess how much they cost?
• Check out these throwback ’80s ankle boots found for cheap at an antique mall.
• Discover how vintage scarves can look oh-so modern.

I particularly like the idea of the “snow bunny” look. To me, “snow bunny” conjures up images of pure white ski coats and warm fur lined boots. The term “snow bunny” may be a little silly, but I still love the idea of a clean white outfit during this chilly season. Below are some snow-inspired picks that are, well, cute as a bunny.

Crazy winter hats allow you to make a fool of yourself, while still looking adorable. Check out these cute head toppers:

[Wear these sweet hats for a little fun on a winter day. Photos Courtesy Forever 21.]

These adorable hats just make me smile. The pom pom adds a bit of whimsy to this classic white knit hat (pictured left.) It costs $7 from Forever 21. This girly metallic take on a trapper hat (pictured right) is sure to keep your ears warm. It costs $11 from Forever 21.

No snow-inspired outfit is complete without a warm all-white jacket.

[These fuzzy pure white jackets will keep you nice and toasty on a brisk winter day. Photos Courtesy Colombia and The North Face.]

Stay warm and cozy with this classic hooded fleece jacket from Columbia (pictured left.) It costs $42. This sleek lightweight jacket from The North Face (pictured right) works great as a layering option on super cold days or as a casual thrown-on for only slightly chilly days. It costs $80.

Shoes are always the best part of any outfit, to me. And these snow boots are no exception.

[These stylish snow boots might actually make you want to shovel that driveway. Maybe. Photos Courtesy Zappos.com.]

These short fur lined snow boots (pictured left) are oh-so cute. They cost $60 at Zappos.com. Nothing’s worse on a cold day than wet socks. These space age-style boots (pictured right) are definitely tall enough to keep the snow out. They cost $87 at Zappos.com.

Do  you like the all-white look for winter? Tell me about it in the comments section.

For more fashion inspiration, follow me on Twitter @kirsten_hudson

Want more winter fashion from everyday threads? Then check these out:

• Are your winter outfits starting to feel boring? Try this easy trick to brighten your winter wardrobe.
• Ever heard of an infinity scarf? Find out why it’s super easy to wear.
• Do you love the idea of curling up in a cozy sweater on a cold night? Then you’ve got to see these sweaters.

When brainstorming ways to spice up my wardrobe I immediately thought of the primary colors. What better way to brighten a dull winter day than with a vibrant red, yellow or blue? Check out my picks below to add a splash of color to a winter wardrobe.

[Wear this vibrant yellow dress to a party or on an evening out to add a bit of sunshine to a chilly winter night. Photo Courtesy Modcloth.]

Add a bit of sunshine to your winter wardrobe with this goldenrod dress from Modcloth. Stay warm by wearing it with funky tights and tall boots. This dress costs $50.

[With a chunky buckle and a quirky color, these aren't your everyday Maryjanes. Photo Courtesy Plasticland.]

Give your everyday office wear a splash of color by pairing your pencil skirts with these edgy cross strap Maryjanes. These funky pumps are $72 from Plasticland.

[Give new life to your winter wardrobe by pairing your usual shirts with this vibrant red belt. Photo Courtesy Nordstrom.]

Wear this ruby red belt over a structured dress or a thin long sleeved tee to give your waist definition. Or try a skinnier version of this belt over a chunky cardigan. This wide faux leather belt by Betsey Johnson costs $25 from Nordstrom.

I hope these ideas bring a little cheer to your winter blues!

What do you think of primary colors? Would you wear them? Tell me about it in the comments section.

For more fashion inspiration, follow me on Twitter @kirsten_hudson

Want more winter fashion from everydaythreads? Then check these out.

• Ankle boots, cowboy boots, over-the-knee boots—oh-my! Plus they’re all under $50!
• Ever heard of an infinity scarf? Find out why it’s super easy to wear.
• Do you love the idea of curling up in a cozy sweater on a cold night? Then you’ve got to see these sweaters.

Luckily, there are year-round options for combining my love of fashion with helping others. These three clothing and accessories brands make donations to charities with every purchase. Now I just have to decide what to buy. Shopping never felt so good.

TOMS

Perhaps one of the best-known companies for its “giving back” ideology, TOMS donates one pair of shoes to a child in need with every shoe purchase through its One for One campaign.

[These delicate silver and white shoes are vegan-friendly (made with no animal products.) Photo Courtesy TOMS.]

TOMS offers a range styles of women’s shoes including lace-up shoes, slip-ons, wedges, botas (similar to high-tops) and vegan boots. Most styles range between $54 and $70.

Kayu

This ethically minded company started with a line of bamboo sunglasses. For every purchase of its sunglasses, Kayu donates $20 to fund a sight-restoring surgery in a developing country.

[These handcrafted retro bamboo sunglasses from Kayu offer 100 percent UV protection. Photo Courtesy Kayu.]

Bamboo artisans in China handcraft Kayu’s line of sunglasses. The line includes four styles all priced at $180. While this seems expensive, these sunglasses have great features that make the price worth it. They’re made from sustainable materials; bamboo, a fast-growing grass, is a more eco-friendly alternative to wood; the lenses offer 100 percent UV protection; and the company gives back to those less fortunate.

Today, Kayu’s collection also includes a line of straw and shell handbags. For every clutch sale, Kayu donates $15 to purchase a backpack and school supplies for a child in need.

[This clutch, made from natural and sustainable straw, features a funky turquoise clasp and works well for day or night. Photo Courtesy Kayu.]

Women’s cooperatives in Asia handcraft Kayu’s purses. The three styles of shell purses are made from mother-of-pearl and pen shells that are by-products of the food industry. These styles cost $280 to $320.

Kayu’s other line of purses, made from natural and sustainable straw, come in four distinct styles and cost $135 each.

Out of Print

What’s your favorite book? Out of Print lets its customers wear their favorite stories through its t-shirts and sweatshirts that feature classic, and often out of print book covers.

[This ultra feminine t-shirt references my favorite novel, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Photo Courtesy Out of Print.]

For every shirt sold, Out of Print donates one book to a community in need through its partnership with Books for Africa, a nonprofit that distributes books to children in Africa.

The book covers featured on Out of Print’s t-shirts include my personal favorite, Pride and Prejudice, along with everything from The Great Gatsby and Moby Dick to Nancy Drew, Fahrenheit 451 and The Outsiders. Out of Print’s t-shirts cost $28.

Out of Print’s sweatshirts, which cost $38, feature 1984, The Catcher in the Rye, Moby Dick, and Pride and Prejudice.

What do you think I should buy? Do you have any other favorite ethically-minded brands? Tell me about it in the comments section.

For more fashion inspiration, follow me on Twitter @kirsten_hudson

Want to know more about sustainable fashion?

• Discover five reasons why sustainable fashion matters.

[This fun vintage scarf went from the back of my grandma's closet to my everyday wardrobe. Photo By Kirsten Hudson.]

Vintage scarves, like this one, are in line with fashionable scarves today. Right now stores are displaying lightweight, flowy scarves with interesting patterns—everything from delicate florals to bold stripes. But rather than spend $20 to $25 on these scarves, why not purchase a vintage one for $1 to $2 at a thrift store?

To me, the patterns on vintage scarves have timeless character that you just can’t find in scarves today. I adore the geometric polka dot pattern on this scarf. Its use of the vibrant primary colored dots is striking, but the pale blue color throughout creates balance. Like other scarves, wearing it can add pizzazz to any outfit—from jeans and a sweater to a nice dress.

The only downfall to vintage scarves is their square shape, which makes them difficult to tie. I’ve found that the best way to tie square scarves is to fold them diagonally into a triangle, then pull the end pieces around the neck, with the triangle in the front. This fold looks great tucked into a coat.

I also like to fold the scarf in the same triangle, place it around my neck and then loosely tie the end pieces together. I then arrange the scarf so that it’s slightly off-kilter, with the tied ends near one shoulder and the triangle near the other. Check out the slideshow on different ways to tie this scarf below!

Four ways to tie a square-shaped scarf
Click to view slideshow.

Do you own any vintage scarves? Would you ever wear one? Would you NEVER wear one? Tell me your thoughts in the comments section.

For more fashion inspiration, follow me on Twitter @kirsten_hudson

Love vintage? Then check out these other fun thrift store finds from everyday threads:

• These menswear-inspired tuxedo pumps were found at a local Salvation Army. Guess how much they cost?
• Check out these ’80s suede and leather ankle boots found at an antique mall.
• It’s not all about vintage. Sometimes you can find great contemporary clothing at thrift stores too, like these Armani Exchange pants.

Ever since I found a gorgeous wool blend slub sweater by Elena Solano at TJ Maxx I’ve been dreaming about adding other chunky knits to my wardrobe. Below are four chunky sweaters that will keep you snug during chilly winter days.

[Wear these comfy short-sleeved sweaters with long-sleeved formfitting undershirts. Photos Courtesy ModCloth.com (pictured left) and Old Navy (pictured right.)]

Layer these short-sleeved sweaters over lightweight long-sleeved shirts. This wheat-colored sweater from ModCloth (pictured left) is perfect weekend wear and costs $48. Pair it with skinny jeans and stylish fall boots.

This heather gray cardigan from Old Navy (pictured right) creates a flattering silhouette with the tie around the waist. This cardigan is $33 and also comes in white and charcoal.

[Stay snug during brisk winter days with these chunky open front sweaters. Photos Courtesy Piperlime (pictured left) and Gap (pictured right.)]

As with all chunky sweaters, these long-sleeved open front sweaters look best when paired with something slim on the bottom.

For a sexy day look, wear this cable neck cardigan from Piperlime (pictured left) with a button-down shirt, skinny jeans and over-the-knee boots. This chunky black cardigan is on sale for $35. It also comes in grey for $60.

Throw this wool blend wrap from Gap over a patterned tunic dress, leggings and heels for a night out. This sweater costs $60.

Do you love chunky sweaters? What do you wear them with? Tell me about it in the comments section.

For more fashion inspiration, follow me on Twitter @kirsten_hudson

Want more winter fashion from everyday threads?

• Ankle boots, cowboy boots, over-the-knee boots—oh-my! Plus they’re all under $50!
• Ever heard of an infinity scarf? Find out why it’s super easy to wear.
• Stay warm this winter with these outfits inspired by the term, “snow bunny.”