The Budget Fashionista

If you’re looking for something youthful, preppy and classic for summer casual wear, nothing beats a good madras plaid, and we’re seeing it all over right now. We love it for the bright colors and ease of wear—throw on a plaid skirt or bermudas, pair with a white tee, flip-flops, big sunglasses, and a tote bag, and you are totally weekend ready. Do you need to spend a fortune to get on the madras bandwagon? Uh, nope, and we’ll prove it. Here, two pairs of madras bermudas, one over-priced and the other just right (even downright cheap!). So which is which?

On the left, the budget pair, Patchwork Bermuda Shorts, on sale $11.49, AZJeans.com , and on the right, the higher priced version, Ladies’ Bermudas, $90, Cape Madras