When I think of cute clothes, I usually think of stores like Anthropologie (of course), J.Crew, Banana Republic…places that I consider on the expensive side. They just look nicer to me. But, I think a lot of my opinion is successful marketing from those companies. If you take 20 minutes to browse on JCPenney’s website, I think you’ll find quite a few things that you really like, and for a great deal. When shopping at places like JCPenney, places that aren’t as fancy/chic/expensive/whatever the word is, I always try to ask myself:
“If I saw this exact item at Nordstrom, would I love it?”

When I take the JCPenney-ness out of it, sometimes I find myself loving something that I wouldn’t have if I had focused on where it came from. Am I the only one that does this? JCPenney has a lot of cheesy/tacky/mom jeans kind of clothes, but they also have cute clothes. I like cute clothes, and I also like a good deal, so it’s worth wading through the frumpy clothes to find the really cute things.  Here are some pretty dresses to check out, all for a great deal:

black wrap dress, pink dress with ruffled neckline, plus-size wrap dress, floral top dress, gray dress with pockets (I LOVE this dress!  It would be so fun to accessorize.), flutter sleeve dress with belt, plus-size pink ruched dress

This jacket looks super warm, and considering it was 6 degrees here yesterday… super warm is what I need!

At JCPenney on sale for $59.99.

Thanks for the link Jessica!

Our Reader Kristen wrote:

My sister Kim had you help her a few weeks back and LOVED your input so I thought I would give it a try.

I have a business making sparkly hair clips (www.lexikatedesigns.com- not currently updated) and I am attending my first tradeshow in Vegas (KIDShow) at the end of the month. I am all about sparkle and need help trying to make sure I look professional yet show off me and my product.

I will be on my feet all day so need to be comfortable and want to make sure I look stylish (for cheap of course). I have white jeans, some new denim Citizen jeans, some cute new silver flats sandals and some gold strappy wedges. My business colors are hot pink, black and white (some silver mixed in too). I was trying to get some t-shirts made with my logo on the front and my tag line of “Life Is Better With Sparkle” on the back, but think they may be too expensive and not look right for where I am going.

Are dresses appropriate? Pants better? layers? Not sure. I am a size 10. Shoes 9-1/2. Height 5′8″. You guys are amazing BTW! Thanks for your help!!

Well Kristen, I volunteered for this one because it sounded like a lot of fun! Pink and sparkles… sign me up! I tried to keep the outfits fun and glitzy! Considering you are all about ’sparkle’ I most definitely think you should dress up with a skirt. (Not that skirts sparkle, but sparkles are dressy.) I think your white pants would work, but if it were me I’d go for the skirt. Any white or black skirt would go cute with what I put together!!! I wasn’t able to find any sparkly tops that went with the color scheme.. but I do love the big blingy necklace (is blingy a word?) Anyways… whatever you wear, I would go for the necklace ANNNDDD of course one of your fabulous sparkly hair clips!

Good luck with the big show.. and have fun in Vegas!!!!!

Love, Ashley

Worthington High Waist Skirt on sale at JCPenney for $24.99.

Striped Slub Cami at Forever 21 for $5.50.

Ruffled Rib Tank at Forever 21 for $7.80.

Women’s Pointelle Cardigan on sale at Old Navy for $20.00.

Izzy Cardigan at Delias for $44.50.

Snake Belt Ballet Flat at Wetseal for $18.50.

Studded Ballet Flat on sale at Wetseal for $10.00.

Clustered Jewels Necklace at Forever 21 for $12.80.

Patent Chain Belt at Forever 21 for $9.80.

Our reader Beth T. wrote:

Beth, I love this dress and how bright and cheerful it is! For day use I would wear the belt around the waist without the cardigan. And for the evening I would add the cardigan and the belt over the cardigan. Hope you have a blast!

peace.natalie

Sateen Floral Dress at Barrie Pace on sale for $99.00 (Thanks for the tip on Barrie Pace Whitney!)

Verla Peep-Toe Ballet Flats at Target for $24.99

Adi D Leather Belt with Floral Buckle at Target for $21.99

Cropped Cardigan at Charlotte Russe for $18.99

Hi Beth!  I found a few dresses that would work and would be easy to accessorize with black shoes and accessories (I particularly love the dress that looks like a top and skirt – it’s the comfort of a dress with the chicness of the blouse/skirt combo!)  The first dress would look great with a cardigan for the evening, and I would put a wrap with the black dress.

But, then I saw the blue floral dress on Charlotte Russe and fell in love with it.  Unless you’re petite and/or have a supershort torso, then this dress will be too short so I put a white eyelet slip underneath from Vintage Hem and a J.Crew cardigan on top.  I love white in the summertime, and I love how this look is fun and flirty, and would be crazy comfortable.  The shoes may not be comfortable for when you’re having fun out on the town, so stash a pair of cute flats in your bag for that.  Have a great night, it sounds like so much fun!  Love, Emily

Cap-sleeve Belted Shift Dress, JCPenney, $19.99 (yes, you read that right, under 20 bucks!)

Black Plaid Dress, JCPenney, $49.99

Floral Dress, Charlotte Russe, $26.99

Eyelet Tower Slip, Vintage Hem, $36.00

Georgia Cardigan, J.Crew, $29.99

Striped Espadrille, Endless.com, $65.95

This is a great blouse. (needs to be paired with a different necklace…)

At JCPenny on sale for $17.99.

I love the sleeves on this one!

At JCPenny on sale for $19.99.

Very pretty.

At JCPenny on sale for $43.20, 27 inches long.

I really, really, really want this skirt. (and those legs… shh don’t tell.)

At JCPenny on sale for $24.99, 25.5 inches long.

My friend that I worked at Subway with while I was going to beauty school… Hailey, just emailed me with a bunch of links from JCPenny! Why didn’t I think of JCPenny? Thanks Hailey! Oh, and she’s also giving you a little tip: For the next couple days, there’s a great coupon that can be used. The code is VIP26, and the savings are: 30% off regular priced items, 40% off redtagged items, and an addition 15% off already reduced prices.  I saved a whopping 110 dollars or so because I bought sale items with the additional 15% off! Just FYI

SWEET! Okay, so I love the lace on this skirt! At JCPenny on sale for $29.99, 34 inches long!

Love the bright beautiful purple floral. Available in sizes S-XXXL.

Find it on on sale at JCPenny for $19.99