Location: Richmond, Virginia

One of my go-to online marketplaces when I’m looking for a specific clothing item is Poshmark. For those who are unfamiliar, Poshmark is the largest social commerce marketplace for clothing and accessories. Think of eBay, but for fashion. One thing that I often hear is that ethical fashion is not always budget-friendly. Poshmark is a great resource because it allows consumers to purchase used or even new items at a discounted price point as you bid on items you like. The seller can accept or counter your offer.

Confession: I have collected J. Crew catalogs for years. Dating as far back as 2005. I have always admired their unconventional approach to styling clothes. Sequin skirt with a t-shirt and sneakers? Why not! I digress – this J. Crew plaid dress is from their holiday collection roughly nine years ago. Last year, in looking for a holiday dress, I decided to check Poshmark to see if someone was selling this particular dress, and low and behold there it was! Despite it being nine years old, it is in mint condition.

I’ve styled the dress two ways. One, with a velvet shirt over top and the other with a red coat (also purchased on Poshmark). The best news is that the total cost of this holiday look is under $100! I found some similar options here, here, here, and here.