How to look stylish on a budget
Since I'm not a billionaire, I try to add my own touch of style with little things which aren't necessarily expensive but they add a little "somethin' somethin'" to my outfits in order to make them more pulled toghether.
So here are my 10 tips on HOW TO LOOK STYLISH ON A BUDGET:
1) BE CREATIVE!
Add fun accessories to your outfits: most of our looks can result pretty boring, especially if you tend to be quite minimal as I am. When you have a plain outfit, without colours, textures or patterns going on, you can always play it cool with accessories. Here are some examples:
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| Add cool sunglasses to a plain black outfit: this trick will make it chic and put togheter. Turbans, foulards, scarves etc will also spice up the outfit! |
2) ADD A FUN LIP COLOUR (RED WILL ALWAYS WIN!)
Same example, different trick: have you ever tried adding a pop of colour on your lips with a monochromatic outfit? It will always look chic, no matter what.
3) THRIFT SHOP
There are so many hidden stylish gems in the thrift shops that you would never imagine! Not only they can be rare items, vintage or classic pieces but they, of course, can make you save a lot of money. From the more expensive ones like Chanel bags, Hermès foulards, Burberry trenches or Valentino shoes to the more affordable ones like Levi's jeans/denim jackets to cashmere/silk clothing or leather jackets. The possibilities are endless, just find a new way to wear the items: distress/cut the jeans, tie up a simple white shirt, replace the buttons with cooler ones, etc. If you have a sewing machine, be creative and personalize the items!
4) WEAR MONOCHROME OUTFITS
This tip may not be everyone's taste but I personally love it and do it very often. It's an easy solution when you don't know what to wear but it will always look put togheter. If you think it might look too plain or boring try mixing the same colour in different textures like black skinny jeans with a silk top or a cashmere oversized jumper/ or the same colour but in different shades (dark grey jeans and a light grey top). Eventually try and add a pop of colour with the shoes.
5)KNOW WHAT YOU OWN
This is something I always make sure not to forget: don't just pile your clothes in the wardrobe without clearing it up every 3-6 months. You will end up using just the newer items and forgetting about the ones you already have just because you don't physically see them. If you notice, when we tidy our closets after a long time, we rediscover items we love which were practically forgotten. Always try and keep your wardrobe clean and organized in order to have all your clothes exposed.
6) SAVE ON TRENDY ITEMS
The rise of fast-fashion industry got us transformed into assiduous consummers, making us believe that we have to have that specific trend and constantly buy newer ones: the ruffle top was on trend a month ago, now you have to buy the one with patches on if you want to be trendy. The point is: trends come and go continuously, don't waste your money on items you will end up not liking anymore two months later because their time has gone. Trendy pieces are never a good investment and most of the times they will most likely be poor quality fabric. Invest instead in staple pieces that will pass the proof of time: shoes, bags and basics.
7) GET THINGS TAILORED/DIY-ED
We usually tend to have at least one item in our wardrobe that we don't like the fitting of: too short, too long, too baggy, etc. Instead of not using it, go and get it tailored/fixed: it's just a little investment that will give new life to the garment and allow you to have a new item to wear. I, for example, cut the dresses that are too short and transform them into tops, cut the jumpers that I don't like anymore and turn them into cardigans, etc. Another way you can re-vamp your old clothes (I will make an in-depth post about it later) is by adding studs, patches, distress them, changing the buttons, adding tassels, fringes, dye them, etc.
8) SHOP WISELY
Let's be honest, we all are tempted to buy when things are on sale, just because we like it or because we feel spendy. The biggest mistakes we can make are to buy things just because they're cheap or because they are trendy. You will most likely end up not loving the item once you get home or use it just once. Even if you paid it 3€, it's not worthy spend your money like that. Save for that item you've been eyeing for a long time and buy stuff you really need. In the sales period, if I go shopping I always make sure I have a list of things I'm looking for and stick to it. If I find something that I really like but wasn't on the list, I make sure I at least have in mind 3 outfits it could go with.
9) TAKE CARE OF YOUR ITEMS
Taking proper care of the items you own will extend their lifetime and, in the long run, make you save a lot of money because you didn't have to repurchase it again and again. Bags and shoes can last many years if polished and cared. Same thing goes for clothes: when wash them, always stick to the washing information on the label, they are there for a reason. Washing the clothes differently may not just shrink or ruin them, but in the long run they will appear twisted, grayed, felted, etc. and these thing will make an item look cheap and low quality.
10) SHOP AT OUTLETS
If there are any outlet stores near you, make sure you check them from time to time. They usually sell higher-end brands at lower prices because they usually deal with past collections. For example, I bought my boyfriend a pair of leather Nike Blazers for 30€ rather than a 100€ retail price.
One online shop I usually tend to buy from it's Mango Outlet.
They have great items from past collections for half or even more of the price, great!
I hope you like my tips and maybe find them useful, let me know if you have any as well!
Kisses, Antonia :)
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