Tag Archives: fashion tips

When Frugal Meets Fashion – Easy Ways to Save Money on Clothes

When money is tight it may seem like a love of fashion and senses of style have to be abandoned, but here are some smart ideas that show that fashion can be frugal and fabulous at the same time.

how to save money on clothes

Look for online deals

Sign up for email newsletters from retailers. Retailers use these as a form of advertising so they are a great place to find discount vouchers and information about upcoming sales. You can also sign up for a voucher site. Voucher sites such as Couporando give discounts at online or high street retailers like Hush, meaning that the latest trends can be purchased for a fraction of the price.

Shop out of season

This needs some forward thinking and planning, but buying clothes at the wrong time of the year can save money and help you prepare for the next season. Autumn or winter is a perfect time of year to stock up on t-shirts, swimwear and flip flops for the summer holidays, while the sales at the end of the winter season are perfect to purchase a new cosy coat to be stored for the following winter.

Have a clothes swapping party

Instead of throwing out clothes that no longer fit or that have been worn too often, why not invite some friends over and have a clothes swapping party! The saying goes that what is one man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure, so that dress which has been lying forgotten in the back of your closet might just be perfect for a friend who has a date this weekend.

Bring and buy

Some great bargains can be found in charity shops, especially if they can be customized or altered. So when you do a good deed and donate clothes you no longer want to the local second hand store, why not stop and take a look around. With some digging, a great fashion item could be waiting there for you!

Don’t forget about supermarkets

Lots of supermarkets now have a wide range of fashion for both women and men and the prices tend to cater to those on a budget. They are especially good for basics such as vests, tops and leggings, which can be mixed with more expensive on trend pieces. You can also find cheap accessories like scarves, statement necklaces or earrings that can be used to make an impact and liven up a basic outfit.

Build a core wardrobe

Use basic items to build a core wardrobe that will give you the most use and versatility. Ensure anything new purchased can be worn with the other items so that it will not be forgotten and lay unworn. This means that several outfits can be put together quickly and easily, and each item will give great value for the money.

Living on a budget doesn’t have to mean giving up a love of fashion. With some planning and some clever purchasing, shopping and looking great can be fun and frugal.

Find me on: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Guest Post: A Stylist’s Guide to Choosing the Right Little Black Dress

The little black dress first appeared in American Vogue in 1926. However, it was Audrey Hepburn who made it iconic when she wore an LBD in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. I guess we can thank Holly Golightly for turning the simple and sophisticated little black dress into a timeless classic.

Audrey Hepburn Little Black Dress

In the never ending battle between quantity and quality, fast fashion syndrome predominates our fashion experience. We are constantly bombarded by new trends of low priced clothes made of low quality materials. Because of the poor quality, consumers are bound to regularly buy new clothes. However, if you want to have a timeless LBD in your wardrobe, you need it to be timeless in the literal sense too. Opt for a high quality dress that you can wear for years to come.

If you’re about to spend money on the perfect LBD, here’s how to choose the right dress.

Body Type

The first thing you should take into consideration is your body shape. If you have a pear or apple shaped body, empire waist and A-line LBDs are ideal for you. Any kind of a belted dress or a dress that accentuates your waist is the right LBD for a rectangular figure. I think strapless LBDs are what women with an inverted triangle body shape need. Finally, you’re a lucky girl if you have an hourglass body shape as any kind of dress that accentuates your curves will suit you perfectly.

Fabric

The best fabrics for dresses are cotton voile, cotton lawn, rayon challis, double gauze, knit, silk, satin or wool. You have plenty of choices, but the trick is to find a fabric that suits both the season and the occasion. If you plan to wear a LBD during summer or spring, chiffon, satin or cotton are a good choices. On the other hand, choose wool, polyester or velvet during the colder months. For a formal occasion choose silk or satin which can be matched with various embellishments. For a semi-formal occasion, I think the best fabric is rayon challis or cotton. Choose cotton, wool, double gauze or knit for casual looks.

Occasion

Make sure that the shape of the dress suits the occasion. You could go for an elegant and sophisticated LBD for formal occasions and a more casual version for other events. However, I think that the best possible option is choosing a little black dress that can transition from formal to informal and back again. Simply change your make-up, accessories and shoes to best suit the occasion.

This guest post is by Peter Minkoff. Peter is a fashion stylist and a writer located in Brisbane, Australia. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Creative Design and has worked as a wardrobe assistant for many local fashion events. He plans to start a freelance styling business. Follow Peter on Twitter for more fab styling tips.