How to Stay Stylish on a Budget (Budget Q&A)

I just wanted to say again thank you for all your fun questions. I have really enjoyed this Q&A series, and I hope you have too! You can see blogging here and personal here. One of the things I got asked about quite a bit last week was budget. I am not sure whether people were curious about my budget specifically or how to stay stylish on a budget or both. I’m going to do my best to touch on both topics on today’s post.

I’ve actually written posts about these very topics in the past if you want to go into the archives. You can find an older post on staying stylish on a budget here and a fashion philosophy post here both of which contain personal budget info. I am happy to report I still agree with everything I said and may have even said it better, so they are worth a read if you are curious. I do have a few updates below. Thanks to my mom, one of my core beliefs about fashion is that you do not have to spend a fortune to stay stylish. Of course I love a good splurge now and then like anyone, but it’s definitely possible to feel good about yourself while maintaining a budget.

How to Stay Stay Stylish on a Budget

1. Buy pieces that can be worn multiple ways – This is key in my wardrobe. I am always on the lookout for pieces that easily transition from work to weekend. This top is a great example shown for work here and weekend here.
2. Keep a List – Keeping a list of what you actually want helps you avoid impulse buys. I am always temped by the “this is on sale and it fits” when the reality is that I don’t need it, and it’s just going to blow my budget.
3. Get creative – This is perhaps the hardest when you are standing in your closet running late before work, but if you get creative with your wardrobe you can come up with totally new outfits out of what you already own. To me this is most easily done with layers. Add a bottom layer as a top like a sleeveless button up you would normally wear under a blazer on top of a fitted long sleeve top. Consider layering a slip dress that you would normally wear alone only in the summer over a long sleeve top. I actually just did this for work with the dress you see here and the bell sleeve top you see here. It was so fun!
4. Shop sales – I guess this one kind of goes without saying…
5. Sign up for email lists – This may sound counter intuitive, but I say sign up for email lists! My reasons are two-fold. If you go in a store and fall in love with something, but it is not on sale and over your price range, if you sign up for the emails you will know the second it goes on sale. You can snag it immediately. The second reason is if you happen to buy something not on sale and it goes on sale the next day (don’t you hate it when that happens) you will know so that you can call the store and ask for a credit. Many stores will do this: LOFT, Gap, Old Navy, etc.
6. Shop at local resale shops – I love resale shops! I both shop at them and take my clothes I no longer wear into them. It’s a win/win because I get clothes at great prices and make money to buy more. Just keeping it real…
7. Don’t spend much on trendy pieces – Today’s dress is a perfect example. Embroidery is a big trend right now. I love it. I am all in when it comes to trends, but I don’t always want to invest big bucks on them. Find stores that sell trendy options afforably so if next season it is out, you won’t be out big dollars.

My Budget as a Blogger

I have a monthly clothing budget of $75 which I have had for years (see previous posts linked above). It hasn’t changed as my blog has grown. To be honest, I actually spend less of our personal money now that my blog has grown. One of the obvious perks of being a fashion blogger is being gifted clothing. Since I am able to pick what clothing I get, I always try to pick anything I have on my personal wish list or anything I want for the upcoming season. Because of this, I don’t need to shop on my own much.

Of course there are always times I do purchase things on my own. For example, in the last month I bought the blue heels seen here, and my mom was kind enough to buy me the two LOFT tops seen here and here. Otherwise everything you’ve seen on the blog this month is either gifted or not new. I know what you may be thinking: those heels are more than $75. True, but not by much ($5 to be exact) and the income I made from my blog this month exceeds the difference. Being gifted clothing and also making money through my affiliate networks and sponsored content has allowed my blog truly become a source of income since I both spend less shopping and make money.

Outfit Details