Budgeting and financial responsibility is one of the greatest life lessons we all must master. In our 20’s it’s easy to get caught up on blowing our cash on frivolous items but as we get older, empty bank accounts are not so cute or fun. Even when we become financially successful, it’s important to be smart with our money.
Here are our tips for looking like a million bucks while still keeping your bank account healthy. Yes, you can look amazing on a budget!
Mix High and Low
Dressing in head to toe Chanel and Prada is basically a fashionista’s dream come true, but you can look just as fabulous mixing high and low brands. Mix in a great pair of designer heels or a designer bag with an on-trend dress from Zara. Many celebs including Kate Middleton are known to rock the high and low look -so trust us, most people are not drenched in head to toe designer. Which brings us to….
Identify Budget-Friendly Quality Brands
Zara, Joe Fresh, Topshop, and Target designer collaborations are great brands to shop for on-trend, affordable designer-looking styles. These brands take runway looks and turn them into affordable versions. Check out our article: Budget-Friendly Fashion: 8 High Quality Affordable Brands You’ll Love.
Rent
Luckily with sites like Stitch Fix, you can rent a designer clothes at a low cost. It’s as easy as signing up for an account and sifting through hundreds of designer items and accessories from dozens of major brands like Herve Leger, Moschino, Halston Heritage, Kate Spade New York, and many more. Renting is a great way to get access to designer clothes on a budget!
Resale
There’s no better way to get rid of the old and bring in the new than with designer resale boutiques and online marketplaces like Poshmark, The Real Real, Material Wrld, and Bib & Tuck. You can also search your local neighborhood for brick and mortar resale shops such as Buffalo Exchange. Ebay is also still a good marketplace to resale and buy designer clothes. (Just be sure to check for authenticity.) Here’s our guide to clothing resale: Flip That Thread: The Best Places to Buy & Resale Clothing
Sample Sale Stalking
If you live in urban areas such as NYC, San Francisco or Los Angeles, the sample sales are ample. Other secondary markets where you can find sample sales are Miami, Chicago, and Boston. If there’s a brand you love, it’s as simple as calling their corporate office and asking when they’re having their next sample sale. Most sales include inventory overstock and prototypes for a fraction of retail. Example: You can get a $400 dress for $50. No joke! Stalk the sample sales. You’ll be glad you did. Check out Racked.com and Mizhattan.com for frequent updates on sample sales.
