8 Ways to Look Fabulous for Less

on March 4, 2009 at 7:00 AM

When I'm in a style rut, the first thing I want to do is buy new clothes. But money is tight, so that's just not an option.

CafeMom Karbear asked for ideas in the Fashion, Style, & Beauty Group on how a woman on a budget can still be fashionable.

I've got some ideas....

Shop your own closet. Revisit everything you've got -- every last item -- and you might be surprised to find some really cute things you forgot you had.
Host a clothing swap party and offer up the clothes you no longer want to friends. There's a good chance they'll have some great items to swap!
Shop at thrift stores.
ChristyRenee suggests adding inexpensive jewelry. Even an old tank top and jeans looks new and fresh with cute accessories.
She also shares that if you sign up for the newsletters at your favorite online shops, they'll send coupons and secret sale information. You can also call the store's 800 number before you checkout and ask for a coupon code.
Check out these sites for more coupon codes.
Forget new clothes, play around with your hair and makeup says beautyqueen616. I get in hair ruts, too, so this is a great reminder to have a different "look" while in the same clothes.
anna_bee loves shopping outlet malls for better prices. A lot of times, these outlets have current season items for much less than department stores.

Share your tips on how to be a recessionista!

About the author Michele Zipp

loves vintage and will defend skinny jeans to the death though she is highly superstitious and "death" is probably a bad word choice. She has a touch of the hoarding disease and enjoys sleuthing, the worst reality shows, and wearing high heels, even at the playground. She's an AP mom of twins, slightly crunchy but with a pedicure.

Filed Under: bargains, beauty, recession guide, shopping, style

Comments (9)

mypugross

on Mar 4, 2009 at 10:12 AM

i LOVE the jewelry tip! i do that all the time. i tended to wear the same necklace with the same outfit...i've started changing the accessories and now i feel like i've doubled my wardrobe!

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babycakes_1228

on Mar 4, 2009 at 11:22 AM

thrift shops are great for buying jeans. before getting preggo I bought myself some express jeans at a thrift shop for get this...$4 !!! amazing. i also got my mil a really cute jersey dress for $5/6 can't remember. but wow you can find good deals at thrift stores. my dad told me that usually big name stores donate brand new clothes to thrift shops to get tax cuts. so yes!!! you can find good things even brand new things at thrift stores!!!

KnoxvilleDoula

on Mar 4, 2009 at 3:05 PM

I am a thrift store fiend!

LuminousMom

on Mar 4, 2009 at 3:48 PM

update your old pieces! Cut off a maxi dress and make a mini or a sun-dress. Sew a few fun felt or fabric flowers (sparingly and with taste, please! lol) around the neckline of a tank or top and you have a couture look. Take some of hubbies old ties and make some belts or headbands out of them, instant update to your look (and hair!). Buy a new bag- KMart (yes, Kmart!!) has ADORABLE bags right now in bright summer colors that update any outfit.

LadySaphira

on Mar 5, 2009 at 7:02 AM

Buy "mix and match items" that way you can wear that pretty sweater or blouse with jeans or dress pants.

acgred

on Mar 5, 2009 at 2:15 PM

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mommi4two

on Mar 9, 2009 at 6:07 PM

i love thrift stores!!!! i find some really great items there when i go....something me and my girlfriends do is make our own jewelry its fun and inexpensive we all have our own stuff and just meet once a month and share beads,hooks,baubles, wire, and much more my jewelry making kit cost me $20 bucks and i've made tons of cute accessories of course you have to buy beads but i bought all mine on clearance at walmart and micheals and sometimes micheals has great coupons in the sunday paper!

kmrtigger

on Mar 9, 2009 at 6:54 PM

I love to shop at thrief shops. I find a ton of namebrand items at really low prices. I always make sure everything I purchase can be used to create a different look as well. My all time favorite clothing item is a great pair of jeans. You can dress them up, down. And they can be dressed to be sexy as well.