Stylish on a Budget: 5 of my Fave Bloggers Spill Their Guts!

This summer has been one for the books as far as budgets go! LA's a beast y'all, and I've had to become pretty resourceful the past few months. Luckily I have a rag-tag team of bad ass blogger babes to turn to in times like this. 

I decided to ask some of my favorite lady-bloggers for some advice on how to satiate the sartorial need without breaking the bank. I will say... one thing we ALL agreed on: thrift shop till ya drop. Otherwise scroll down to feast your eyes on these pretty mama's a read some of their wallet-friendly advice. 

Thanks gals, for participating! xo!

Click on the blue text to check out their super rad blogs. 

Brittany from Pardon My Fashion:
On punching up a wardrobe on a budget:

Jewelry and lipstick! Head into Forever 21, spend $20 on new earrings, bracelets, and statement necklaces and all your clothes will feel new again. Add a swipe of a crazy $5 lipstick from Target and voila!
On budget shopping tips:

Thrift it up! Look for pieces that you can mix and match with existing items in your wardrobe. Also, get creative. Throw on a sweater or tee over a dress to turn it into a skirt. Or hem those old pants you never wear anymore to turn them into shorts. Chop off the bottom of that maxi and turn it into a mini. You don't have to spend a dime to get some new 'ish! 

Gabby from Look Sharp, Sconnie:
On workin' with whatcha got:

Tie it. Tie weird stuff around new body parts. Belts around your head, head scarfs around your waist, bracelets around your ankles, bandanas around your neck, blazers around your hips, etc, etc. Cutting stuff's cool too.
Where she shops on a budget:
I'm probably going to get lambasted for saying this, but sometimes (slash always) I can't resist a lil' Forever 21. The urge usually strikes when I've seen something undeniably weird, but oddly photogenic, and want to try it out for myself without, you know, simultaneously becoming homeless. And thrift stores are always a no-brainer. Over the top vintage dresses (wedding gowns are ideal) and grandfather-esque attire are my go-tos.

Elizabeth from Delightfully Tacky:

On items worth splurging on: 

Winter coats.  A quality winter coat is something that will last many years, if it's made well.  Plus winter coats usually are pretty classic, not trendy items, so they tend to last many years, style-wise as well.  Plus, it just makes sense to spend more on something made to keep me warm.  A cheap coat will not only fall apart before the end of the season, but it probably won't keep me as warm as a coat that is made well. 

Another situation in which I'm willing to spend more is if I can envision myself wearing the item in multiple ways.  If something is trendy or I can't imagine remixing it a ton of different ways, I probably won't be willing to pay my hard earned money for it.  Think cost-per-wear.  If you wear that top only two times and it was $50.00, each wear was $25.  But if you wear it ten times, the cost per wear is only $5!  The more you wear something, the more bang you get for your buck.  Don't spend your money on something you can't imagine yourself wearing multiple times.

Courtney from Cupcake Obsessions:

On shopping smart:

For me, the best way to save $$ is to hit sales. I style stalk pieces I love & am coveting, then follow the items until they go on sale. As a personal rule, I won't purchase the item if I'm on a strict budget & if the sale is less than 30% off.

On working with whatcha' got:

Try old things in different ways. Punch up a look with a favorite scarf worn as a head scarf or tie it on a bag to add some color. Another favorite is using your summer wardrobe during cooler months by layering, adding tights, etc. 

Marlen from Messages on a Napkin:
On shopping smart:

I have two really good ones on this! My first one is the question, "What can this go with?" If I can't think of at least three outfits I can make with that piece  I'm tempted to sprint to the cash register with, I don't let myself buy it.  It saves you so much heartache when you're purging your closet eight months later! And it also gets you into the habit of only buying necessary pieces. Sure a statement top is fun now and again, but not if your whole closet is made of them and nothing else! 

My second golden rule is "Can I find a version of this any where else?" And by "anywhere else" I mean "anywhere cheaper". One specific moment I remember is me buying a $60 grey and white striped sweater at J Crew because I just needed something nautical in my closet and right at that moment.....and then finding a near twin of that sweater at Forever 21 for $15. The tears that I've wept. 

No Good at Goodbyes: The Sentiment Behind Cleaning Out Our Closets.

We are moving. I feel like that is all I have to say to instigate moans and groans from any person I'm speaking too. Yes. It's a huge pain in the ass, but there's always a silver lining. This time I'm focusing on how desperately I need to shed some preverbal skin when it comes to my wardrobe. This used to be a huge issue for me, as I apparently had some OCD/hoarder tendencies. 

"That rumpled up shirt has been hanging on the back of my desk chair for 6 months, and I've been having really good luck lately, so just don't fuck with it...okeeeeey?"

It might have not been that bad, but my closet was full of shirts with holes, dresses with stains that maybe I could hide with a another layer. Not to mention if a garment is not damaged at all, but just hasn't been worn in 3 years. I'm learning to get past it though.

Selling vintage has helped. It's thrilling to know that something you've provided to someone else is getting love. Something that was just sadly hanging around in a thrift store or in the back of a closet ... feeling lonely...worthless...all potential talent going to waste.

Okay so besides being OCD, I apparently give inanimate objects emotions. 

So now as I comb through every single piece of clothing I own, I ask myself if someone could put it to better use. If so, to Buffalo Exchange or to the Etsy store it goes. If it's damaged, well then it's only fair to make room for another piece. Give someone .... errrr .... something SOMETHING else a chance.

This dress is slightly too big, and although I LOVE the off-beat color and the low-v back ... I've got to sell it, so you can grab it at our Etsy store if you love it too!

 Shoes: Kenneth Cole (similar)

Dress: Vintage, Westminster and Fifth

Earrings: JCP (similar)

Asos Earrings · Topshop Earrings · Chie Mihara Flats

A Fishing Town with a Drinking Problem

 I'm pretty sure the tourist department of St. Augustine Florida needs to give me at least a couple thousand doallars. For real, I'm singing that tiny town's praises every chance I get. Proof here, here and here. What's not to love? Being the oldest city in the U.S. located near what happens to be one of the most beautiful beaches, it has everything.
Inner coastal salt water river with oyster beds, manatees, dolphins, and all together adorable "drinking town with a fishing problem" charm? Yes. Gorgeous Spanish architecture ? Si Señor! Historical (haunted? see orbs in photograph below..spooooooooky) downtown with one of the oldest cemeteries in the nation AND a haunted lighthouse? Ehhhh I'm not too into being scared shitless, but if you are...this is your place. Ponce de Leon's supposed Fountain of Youth? Who doesn't need one of those?

Pirate history! Sea turtles! Gorgeous Spanish Moss! HUGE thunderstorms!

And finally the most beautiful un-commercialized beach. That's right. No high rises, no Señor Frogs, no ass wangs trying to sell you stupid Rastafarian-style hats.

Everyday a tidal pool forms when the tide goes out. It can get about 3 feet deep or so, and becomes this sort of wading lagoon for people who aren't necessarily wanting to deal with the Atlantic waves. I did lots of wading there. And I didn't want to come home.