Red Gingham Dress

|| Dress: Who What Wear (also available in black) || Heels: Target (sold out, similar 1/2) || Earrings: J.Crew || Ring: Tiffany & Co. || Photos: Melanie Foster Photography ||

For the last 10 years or so, I have had numerous people tell me "Lindsey, I could dress better if I had more money." I would be lying if I said that thought never crossed my mind. However, I think that statement is a pile of garbage and I have to check myself more than I would like to admit. Girlfriends, you do not need a lot of money to put together a great outfit! The one thing that makes any outfit complete is confidence. And guess what? Confidence is absolutely free! Please promise me that you will never feel less than because you cannot afford the latest lineup from Nordstrom.

Growing up as the oldest of four, my parents had a lot of kids to clothe. We never went without, I can assure you. My nana and mom both learned how to maximize their dollar (nana, if you are reading this — thank you for the thousands of dresses you purchased for me over the years). There is nothing wrong with shopping on sale racks, discount stores or doing a deep dive in Goodwill. Heck, my mom found one of my favorite dresses in high school from a Goodwill in Tulsa. It was from Harold's, and it was the most precious multicolor gingham dress you ever laid eyes on. I wish I could still fit into that dress, alas my size zero days are long gone.

All of that to say, inspiration is all around you! A few weeks ago I was exploring every aisle of Target (one of my favorite past times, sorry Jered) when I found this dress. For some reason, it reminded me of a picnic blanket. I had one in a similar print that has been with me since college. Before I left college after graduation, Jered surprised me by coming into Stillwater (from Norman) and treating me to a picnic with take-out from my favorite Chinese restaurant. My picnic blanket made it have a little flair of fancy. It's moments like that I will never forget. I can see a picnic in this dresses future!

You don't need a million bucks to look great. To me, this outfit is proof! This darling dress is less than $40! No one would know that unless you told them. When someone gives me a compliment on an article of clothing or my outfit, I immediately say thank you and give the details. I am not scared to share that I found this at Target! Now, I will say, the hanger does not do this garment justice. I am so glad I took it into the fitting room! When I am looking at Target, I do try everything on before I make up my mind about what to purchase. There are so many items that do not work for me — I do not like the structure of the garment on my body or the feel of the fabric. I am kind of picky when it comes to those two things. TBH, that's probably a good thing for my wallet!