How to Be a Fashionista without the Funds
It’s happened to all of us. We find ourselves having shoegasms over a new Nordstrom display and end up leaving the store empty handed due to our even emptier pockets. It’s what I like to call the “fashionista struggle.” So many of us have a passion for great clothes, but instead of admiring new additions to our closets, we’re left frowning at our bank accounts.
So what is a girl to do when her art is minimized? She maximizes her current inventory. In a few short paragraphs, I’m going to show you how to work with what you’ve got and bloom where your little stylish feet are planted.
Compare & Contrast
Those trendy skater skirts we see all over our favorite online stores and street style blogs are to die for. But some of us don’t have the money -- let alone a limb -- to give away for one of these potentially pricey pieces. The fix? Remember those “swing” skirts and flared out numbers we rocked in middle and high school? Hold ‘em up to a modern skater skirt and you’ve found yourself a set of twins. Whether it’s solid or printed, those old skirts can be a “vintage” twist on a modern trend. After all, designers re-invent and innovate; you’re likely to own an old version of a “new” creation. It just may need to be styled in a modern way!
Try this method out with all trends! If you fall in love with a new style of clothing, go to your closet and do a little comparing and contrasting before you spend!
Recycle
In order to make the most out of what you have, you also have to get the most wears out of what you have. Money is limited, and if you’re like me, you don’t like to just see your money spent hanging up in your closet, but you want to show it off to as many people as possible. Wear a maxi dress simply one day, then fold it into a maxi skirt and pair it with edgy accessories another day. Spread statement pieces out between wears, and change the ensemble drastically each time you wear it. Repeat pieces. Never repeat outfits.
Raid a Closet!
There isn’t one fashionista I know who hasn’t gone shopping in a friend or family member’s closet. Some people may see it taboo to walk around in another’s clothing as if it’s their own, but look at it like this: clothes are artistic materials just like any other supplies any other kind of artist would use to create a masterpiece. Painters use a canvas. Stylists use clothing. It simply would be dumb not to use extra resources if they’re made available to you!
Work a Little Magic
When all else fails, grab a pair of scissors and get crafty. Take that old pair of jeans and splatter them with bleach, destroy them with holes and rips, or crop them into a pair of shorts! Search your mom’s closet for an oversized pair of denim (with permission) and alter them into edgy boyfriend jeans. Bleach that old denim jacket. Embellish that boring pair of heels or sneakers with spikes and studs. Take that old T-shirt or tank and make it into a stylish muscle tank or sporty crop top! Have access to a sewing machine? Alter that old dress into a maxi skirt or pair of harem pants. Invest in fabrics and focus on creating one-of-a-kind pieces without the price!
When you’re awarded with a little cash to invest on your wardrobe, use it wisely. Thrift stores and cheap online boutiques are good options for unique pieces at affordable prices. Be a smart shopper and weigh out all your options when browsing. One day, those healthy habits will blossom into habits that keep you wealthy!
All in all, you don’t need money to have a fabulous wardrobe. With a little patience and creativity, you will no longer be the girl with a bunch of clothes and nothing to wear.
By: Candice Brew | Image: Source
