Sidewalk Style: Dressing on a Budget

We were outside of Judiciary Square Monday morning when we spotted this early voter and mother of five (!) who looks stylish in spite of the economic crisis.

By Rachel Cothran

Latese Gilbert, 44
Unemployed

What she’s wearing: Gilbert is a discount-store maven. Her Worth coat was $24 at AJ Wright (in the Brentwood Shopping Center), and her scarf was $5 from a wholesale shop. She snapped up her jeans for $19 at Burlington. Her pale green top (not shown) was a whopping $7.99 at AJ Wright. The bag, purchased in Jamaica, was a gift from her daughter.

How has unemployment changed the way you shop?
“I’ve been going to all of the discount stores, and even thrift stores like Salvation Army.”

How would you describe your style?
“Sleek.”

Stylewise, who gets your vote: Cindy McCain or Michelle Obama?
“I like the way Michelle dresses. She is elegant and poised. She dresses for the occasion, like when she wore a little jacket and jeans for a speech Barack gave. She looks so natural.”

Rachel says:
Bargain hunters, unite! Latese looks great in this delicately patterned fitted fall coat with accessories that echo one another in color but aren’t matchy-matchy. I’m floored that nothing she was wearing cost more than $25. This is proof that you can look really pulled together on a recession-time budget!

Weigh in on Latese's style!

Have something to say about this bargain outfit? Leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments!

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Category Tags: Sidewalk Style, Fashion, People

Comments

FAB mom!!

by the way.. the political reference was very relevant, considering the fact that this woman was on her way to the polls!

Posted by: Mary, Nov 05, 2008 03:57:18 PM

Okay I like that you picked someone over 19 but other than that honestly she looks boring. Nothing special. Vintage and bargain can be cool and this is not it.

And can we get over making everything political (Michelle Obama vs. Cindy McCain)?!?!

Posted by: Carley, Nov 05, 2008 08:27:07 AM

She looks very nice to me. I can’t believe she is 44 yrs. old with 5 children. I am digging that coat. Do your thing Mrs. Lady.

Posted by: Kierra Sisco, Nov 04, 2008 02:12:12 PM

This is a perfect outfit for a casual fall day. And the fact that she is the mother of 5 and bargained to have an outfit for under $75 shows that she is a talented and resourceful woman! I personally love the unique scarf, and whether the purse matches or not, it has sentimental values that are far more important than what the unimportant passerby may think. Latese, thank you for showing the polls what a fashionable American mom looks like!

Posted by: Nadia, Nov 04, 2008 02:10:31 PM

I like the ecclectic look, I can surely see where she was going with the style...you go girl, momma of five.

Posted by: wicked, Nov 04, 2008 02:04:54 PM

She looks great, especially for a 44 yr. old woman. Even though her colors clashes everything is nice. I’ve seen her in judiciary square the area several times and she always looks nice. I dont think that she intended for the pocket book to match her coat or her scarf. As Rachel said "She is wearing a pale green top under her coat. And if she did intended for it to match it would had been on point.

Posted by: KoKo, Nov 04, 2008 01:49:10 PM

I THINK SHE LOOKS GREAT. I HOPE SHE WEARS THIS OUTFIT ON OUR DATE TONIGHT!

Posted by: monty, Nov 04, 2008 12:24:25 PM

Not everything goes together with this outfit but independently the pieces are cute(especially the bag and jacket). This mom looks awesome though! I cannot believe she is a mother of 5!

Posted by: Alexandra, Nov 04, 2008 12:03:58 PM

No matter what situation the world is in she always look great. You go girl. Keep it real and look good doing it.

Posted by: India, Nov 04, 2008 09:44:46 AM

Was Rachel high when she shot this woman? Nothing is fashionable about this outfit.Everything clashes.

Posted by: Kate, Nov 04, 2008 08:17:03 AM