Get Minka Kelly’s Look for Less

Want to get the attention of every guy you know? Post these pictures of Minka Kelly to your Facebook page and watch what unfolds.

I experienced this force of nature (and technology) myself after seeing these pictures posted by my friend on Facebook last week. Her male friends went bananas for them. This excited me, because Minka's look here makes me think ‘comfortable’ rather than ‘sexy and constricted by a pair of Spanx’.  True, Minka's not-exactly-ugly facial features may have had something to do with how these men reacted to the photos, but in case their admiration was the result of the magical powers of this outfit, I’m willing to give it a shot. Here’s how to get the entire look for a lot less than the $583 Minka spent on this outfit…and that pricetag doesn't even include the bag!

The secret to a flattering maxi skirt is not to go too flowy. This skirt shows off her frame and doesn’t make her lower body appear large.  Buying the exact L’Agence skirt would put a broke girl back $290, but finding this grey replica at Brandy Melville on 3rd Street will only cost you $25.

Next, grab this Forever 21 Racerback Knit Tank for about the price of a Starbucks mocha made with soy: $5.50. If wearing the tanktop over the skirt isn’t flattering on your body type (sometimes it makes my hips look wide), try tying a knot in the shirt below your belly button. This cinches your waist while still allowing you to add the belt around your hips. While you’re at Forever 21, grab the Braided Skinny Belt for $2.50. 

Minka is wearing a pair of skinny bronze Havainas ($24) in this picture, but you can get yours for cheaper by waiting for the brand to pop-up on sample sale sites (I got mine on Gilt for around $14). They seem to make an appearance on these sites often, but if you can’t bear to wait, score yourself a similar pair at Old Navy for $2.50.

A staple piece of jewelry is necessary not just for this outfit, but for life. If you decide to opt for a ring, a Soixante Neuf knuckle ring can set you back $178 on Singer22.com -- but you can do like I did and wait for one to pop up on eBay. I scored mine by finding one for $55 that was 2 sizes too small. I took it to Nobel Gems Inc. on 4th Street in Santa Monica and had it sized it up for about $5 in about 10 minutes. If that’s not in your budget, check out this Tucson ring ($18) through ShopNastyGal.com. If you’d rather go for the watch like Minka, keep an eye out for jewelry sales on RueLaLa or Hautelook.  Chances are you can find one both sturdy and thrifty.

Broke Girls probably don’t have the budget for a Louis Vuitton Keepall, but here’s a better option -- The Kimchi Blue Lady Weekender Satchel at Urban Outfitters for $49. The dark red would look amazing with Minka’s outfit to add some pop amongst the brown and greys. Minka, girl, call me! You know I’m totally available to be your color conscious, money-savvy stylist.

Next, grab an Umberto Round Brush for $10.99 and Umberto Shimmer Shine Spray for $8.99 at Target and give yourself an amazing blowout (this will also be your arm workout for the day). Start by clipping half of your hair on top of your head, and work from the bottom up. Roll the brush inwards at the ends of your hair to prevent it from being too stick-straight. When your hair is all dry, finish your masterpiece off with a nice coat of the shine spray. By the way, I once read that guys find girls with shiny hair to be more attractive because it subconsciously reads to them that you are “healthy and fertile”. Maybe it’s all in the hair, ladies.

Finally, grab travel-friendly ‘Living the Life in Laguna’ Palette by Stila for $14 at Sephora.com.  The shades are neutral and will create the perfect natural look. It’s best to have someone spot you (like a personal shopping trainer) while you purchase this, because Stila has about 6 different palettes -- all for $14 -- and you’re going to want to add each and every one of them to your cart.  If you end up finding someone helpful to you in this way, send them over to me. I need them to slap the donuts out of my hands at the office.

Add all of this together and what do you get? Well, besides the perfect, attractive, travel-comfy outfit, you get to keep your hard-earned rent money, girls. With this shopping list and $137.48, you’re ready to get your comfortable sexy on!

written by Jessica Blackwell