Everyone has a budget. If your budget is currently smaller than your fashion goals, don’t despair. You can show off your fashion sense while staying within your financial limits by using a little creativity and planning. Read on to discover how to dress like a diva for under $50!
Step 1: Things You’ll Need
- A budget
- Fashion sense
- Access to online stores or brick-and-mortar boutiques
Step 2: Budgeting
You can transform a ho-hum outfit into an enviable ensemble by incorporating a great statement piece. In fact, many stylists believe you should only have one stand-out item per outfit. If you have too many colors or designs at one time, then you’re likely to look disheveled rather than divalicious.
A statement piece can be a top, bottom, scarf, necklace, hat, shoes, or almost any individual fashion item. Find a special pair of shoes in a fun design (like leopard or a bright color that suits your personality). Wear them with an single-color dress, and you’ve got an awesome outfit.
Choose two or three items you think can make a fashion statement and split your 50 dollar budget between them.
Step 3: Explore Your Preferences
Maybe you’re not a scarf person; perhaps you prefer artistic earrings to a long necklace, or maybe your palette is strictly black and white. These are good things to know! You will always look and feel your best when you embrace your own individual style. Don’t try to be someone that you’re not, and don’t imitate someone else’s signature style. However, make use of other people’s fashion successes to build on your own.
Step 4: Do Your Research
If you’re not sure what is currently on-trend, check out fashion magazines. Though Vogue may display small metallic clutches for hundreds of dollars, all you need is the vision, not the specific designer purse. Shop online or at discount stores to find a similar design and size. No one needs to know that it’s not direct from the runway.
Step 5: Comparison Shopping
Your shopping journey should always start online. Even if you end up going to a brick-and-mortar store, you can do your planning and research online. Compare prices, read labels, search for promo codes, and determine availability before you even step out of the comfort of your own home.
If you find an awesome online store, like Pink Lily Boutique, then you won’t even need to venture out. Scroll through the hundreds of options from scarves and necklaces to booties and you’re sure to find the perfect on-trend accessory to transform any outfit into a diva outfit.
Step 6: Make a Trade
Do you have anything in your closet that you just don’t wear? Did you buy an adorable top that never fit you and still has the tags on it? Do you own a fun paisley scarf that just doesn’t work for you anymore?
Schedule a swap meet with your friends. Ask each friend to bring something that she loves but doesn’t wear anymore. Stress the environmental advantages of swapping rather than throwing clothes away—it’s recycling! Everyone who brings something will also get something, so it’s a no-lose proposition. Be sure to specify that clothing should be in pristine condition. No diva wants ratty clothing.
Step 7: Shop Your Own Closet
Many people have stuffed closets and overflowing dresser drawers. With so much stuff, it’s hard to see your actual clothes. You may already have more options in your closet than you realize.
Start by cleaning out your closet. Donate, sell, or swap the clothes that you haven’t worn in a year. Then, arrange your closet in a way that makes sense to you, either by color, season, outfit, or occasion. You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll find in your closet once you can see what’s there, and it won’t cost you an additional penny.
Step 8: Go Out in Style
When you look good, you will feel good, so make sure you wardrobe is full of fashionable pieces that you love to wear. Remember: attitude is free, and when your attitude is positive, you’ll always look like a diva.
