Hello Pretty People,
I’ve had many people ask me where I get my clothes, and I’d like to think I follow fashion fairly well. I love keeping up with trends and incorporating some of my own. Although I love clothes, it can be expensive to keep up with every trend, especially as a college student. Not everyone has a budget that allows for shopping every season. So, I’ve decided to create little guide for the girls like me!
Now, I know we always see these types of posts on “fashion for college students” and then it shows $100 leggings and $150 rain boots that you actually cannot afford. You know exactly what I mean…
Well, this is not that fashion guide. This is for the legit college girl who cannot afford fancy clothing brands just yet. We will get there one day, but we got to get the degree first. These are the ways that I stay on top of fashion without breaking the bank.
Shop Deals:
The number one way I can afford fashionable pieces is by shopping deals and sometimes shopping out of season. For example, I found these super cute grey booties at a boutique in the Spring, they were only $20 but I knew they were perfect for Fall. Now, they are one of my staples for the Fall + Winter.
I love brands, but sometimes the best way to shop is by style not brand. Stores like Zara + H&M may not scream rich girl, but you can find all the same trends as the high fashion brands at these stores.
Jeans/pants aren’t seasonal:
There is nothing better than a new pair of jeans. But, one tip I recommend is not buying jeans every season. Sure, there will be styles you will want to purchase but jeans are timeless for the most part. A light wash, a dark wash, a ripped jean and a colored jean; that’s all you need to survive. Jeans are jeans, no one will notice if they are new or old.
Jeans are one thing I will spend more money on. High quality jeans last a long time and as I said, the don’t really change too much. Unlike a shirt, jeans cross seasonal trends well. Any unique style pants are a great way to mix it up too!
Shop Styles:
I mentioned this tip in the first point, but I am mentioning it again because it’s not always about the brand name. If you like Steve Madden shoes, check out Target for similar styles. If you like J. Crew stuff, check out Old Navy. If you are looking for modern trends like Gucci or Burberry, check out Zara or H&M. I found a quilted vest, cashmere (look alike) sweater and a black + white flannel all under $50 at Old Navy. I also snagged some Steve Madden looking sneakers from Target for only $20. They are all great quality too!
Something Borrowed:
A final tip is to borrow items from a friend or family member. This is not something I do on a daily basis, but when I am attending an event or something special, I will sometimes ask a friend for an outfit. Instead of spending $50-$100 on a new dress, I’ll shop my besties closet to see if there is something that fits the occasion. If I’m going out and feel bored with my own clothes, I will sometimes ask to borrow something too! It’s an option if you are really looking for something new but do not have the money.
I will share some of these items below, along with outfit ideas. Simply click on the brand name in the parenthesis to shop for yourself.
My Fall to Winter Outfits
Black + White Flannel (Old Navy, $15), AE Ripped Jeans (Similar AE Style, $30),
Grey Wool Hat (Similar Style, $20)
Caramel V-Neck Sweater (Old Navy, $12.50), Olive Green Quilted Vest (Old Navy, $17), Same AE Jeans, Boutique Blanket Scarf (Similar Style, $17)& TOMS Wedges (Similar, $50)
Turtle Neck (Gap, $17) & same Green Vest from above
These outfits shared above are all basically using the same pieces. I wanted to show you how it easy it can be to style just a few basic pieces. This vest allows you to mix up any outfit. I wore it with three different pieces here; paired with a turtle neck, a sweater and a flannel (not pictured). You can also layer with the flannel, although it is not shown above, I could easily layer the flannel over my sweater. I also accessorized with my blanket scarf, which is another Fall/Winter wardrobe staple. This wool grey hat has also been my go-to accessory for the season. It not only covers a bad hair day, but it also protects your hair from the wind and rain (it’s been a rainy season in Michigan). Plus it’s pretty cute!
Once again, most of these tops were under $20 and they are easy to mix and match. My jeans are from last Fall, proving my point you do not need brand new jeans. My TOM wedges are about 2 years old too! These are my favorite Fall shoe, along with my pair of grey booties I mentioned earlier.
Being fashionable does not have to be expensive. You just have to be confident in your style and realize you may not be able to afford everything you want. I always say it’s not about where you get the clothes but how you style them that matters. Whether you shop at Goodwill or Prada, if you wear it proud, no one will question you.
I proudly wear my inexpensive clothing because I’m not worried about attaching my identity to a brand. I don’t need brands to define my personality or style, and neither do you. Just wear what makes you feel most beautiful and comfortable.
I planned to make a video with this post, but with the rainy weather we’ve experienced in the mitten, I had no luck. I hope you still enjoy this post and I hope it works as a guide. These are just my fashion secrets on a budget. Shh…don’t tell anyone 😉
Thank you for reading PYM.