Style On A Budget
How can I get the preppy look on a budget?
A great way to get the preppy look is to head to Marshalls. Marshalls has a wide selection of polo's, and polo is a staple when trying to dress prep. I always think that the color up, and that's for free, really accentuates that prep look. A pair of great fitted jeans can also be found at Marshalls, and slip-ons, and you are ready for that tennis match down at the club.
How can I get the sporty look on a budget?
A great way to get a sporty look on a budget is to head to the mall. You can find a lot of really fun and inexpensive pieces to create a sporty look. You want to work with athletic sneakers or trainers. Also, add in some tennis skirts which are really fun to pair with t-shirts from a Forever 21, because they give you that sporty look yet incorporate some things that might be less than an actual piece of clothing.
How can I get the trendy look on a budget?
The easiest way to get the trendy look on a budget is to start with a simple foundation, like jeans and a great fitted t-shirt, and then go to Forever 21 and pick up a ton of really inexpensive accessories. It will keep you of the moment and on trend, and you don't have to spend more than twenty dollars.
How can I get the conservative look on a budget?
You can get a great conservative look on a budget by heading to the outlets. The outlets usually include an Anne Taylor LOFT, and the Banana Republic unlimited. Brands that might be mass produced, but still really give you that great conservative look with fun fits. And at the outlet stores they are lot less expensive.
How can I get the socialite look on a budget?
The easiest way to get the socialite look is head to your mom or grandma's closet throw in a pair of old pearls and throw a martini glass into your hand! “Cheers, ladies!” But seriously folks, a great pair of pearls will really add that socialite look to any outfit.
How can I get the urban trekker look on a budget?
The urban trekker look is a lot like the sporty look. You want to stick to cool sneakers, trainers. Go into an Abercrombie, which may, on the outside look preppy, but you can find some great Capri track pants there that are inexpensive enough to put with a pair of Jennifer Lopez (J Lo's) uptown hoops, and you've got the urban trekker look.
How can I get the romantic look on a budget?
A great way to get the romantic look on a budget is to have your boyfriend buy it for you. No, is you want to stick to like flowing skirts, a vintage vibe. Go out to the thrift stores, the consignment stores they have great pieces from the seventies and I always find that there is a lot of flow to skirts from the seventies. So you don't have to spend that much to look all pretty and girly. Put a flower in your hair. That's free.
How much of my budget should I spend on clothes?
When you're choosing how much to spend out of your budget on clothing, you want to make sure that you are not spending outside of what is put away for to be necessary. You still have to pay your bills, your transportation, and those important life things; but if you have a bit of disposable income, throw it into a jar or under your mattress every month and it will eventually either add up to a big purchase and/or over the course of the month you'll be able to throw that extra money towards fun little trendy inexpensive items.
How can I stay up-to-date on fashion and trends?
The easiest way to stay up-to-date on fashions and trends is to look in the magazines. In magazines, it's coming from editors that know what they're talking about, that see the trends coming. If you really stick to the magazines, you'll be able to see what's in-season or on-trend. Another way is to go on the Internet. My favorite thing is to look at the Fashion Week website, because if you look at what's happening at Fashion Week a season before, you'll know what's going to be cool before it's even cool, and you'll surprise all your friends by looking like the fashionista that you, wink-wink, are.
How can I avoid buying clothes that will shrink the first time they're washed?
The easiest way to avoid clothes that will maybe shrink after washing is to make sure you are looking at what the fabric is. If it's 100% cotton, it will shrink. My favorite thing to do to really extend the life of clothes is not to dry clean them and not to dry them. Give them a wash in your washer and hang them out to dry. You will then extend the life of the clothes. If you are looking for a fabric that will not shrink, you can look for rayon blend or a polyester blend, certainly spandex. If it's mixed with cotton at all it will shrink. Just be aware what the tag says in terms of taking care of that item.
How can I avoid buying trendy items that will go out of style in a month?
A trendy item will go out of style, and that's why it's a trend. What you want to do is make sure that you were buying inexpensive trendy items that you can dispose of once they go out of style, because we know style is cyclical and it will come back into play. You can either keep it at the back of the closet and/or dispose of it and buy another cheap pair of plastic earrings or ballet flaps.