Monday, March 7, 2011

Big Style, Small Budget



Many of you've commented that you like my style and that you're impressed that most of my clothes are affordable. So to say thank you I've decided to tell you how you can do it too!

I'm a slave to fashion. So naturally I would love to be able to wear designer clothes and accessories, but I've never been able to afford them. I love to shop and if I was to start a habit of buying expensive designer duds I would be in serious trouble. I do splurge here and there, but I've never been able to spend more than a few hundred dollars on anything. The day I can afford to buy myself something dreamy I'll know I deserve it. There's no reason you can't have big style on a small budget. You can do it in two fun steps:

1. Study styles you admire.
2. Always be on the hunt.

It's simple, but not easy. It takes time. 

Here's my typical hunt: 

1. Save an image of a particular outfit I admire and print it out.
2. Check the following stores for similar looks: J. Crew,Threadsence, Forever 21, Modcloth, Topshop, Asos, Hallelu, Urban Outfitters, LuLus, H&M, Madewell, Club Monaco, Gap and Target. 
3. Head to stores like Crossroads Trading Co. and vintage stores.

That's it. There will be those terrible days where you spend hours looking for a specific items and come up empty handed. But, it's all for the love of fashion. 
{images via Vogue, Net-a-Porter, and Madewell}

43 comments:

Allie Emme said...

Thanks for sharing stores you shop at. I had never heard of Threadsence and Hallelu before. I'll definitely be checking those out.

Rene Braun said...

Great post! Thanks for sharing such a great tips!!!

WWW.RENEBRAUN.COM

Kisses!

Gabriella said...

Thanks for sharing! x

Diamond Wedding Bands said...

Shirt & skirt are fabulous.Thanks for sharing these stores here.

Diamond Wedding Bands

Emilie said...

I loved this post!
xx

Gabby / Gypsy*Diaries said...

I love how you used that first picture as an inspiration for an outfit!!! You totally rocked the budget look! :D
xxx

http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com

Closet Fashionista said...

Great tips!! So true, I'm always on the hunt for cheap items that remind me of looks I love! :D
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

Kristyn Burtt said...

Affordable is always good.
KB
http://redcarpetcloset.tv/

Sammy said...

Very useful! Thanks for the tip :)

Sam

Anonymous said...

Great tips! That's exactly what I do....it inspires "splurge or save". Most of the time I'd rather save and splurge on a bag.

http://2anchor.blogspot.com

Kaye said...

I like your mix of the leopard and polka dots better actually. Very cute :]

Amber's Notebook said...

fabulous post Taylor!!
I love the polka dot and cheetah pairing.

Amber's Notebook

Taylor Sterling said...

Thanks Ladies...it always feels good to save on things and still feel stylish!

Anonymous said...

great tips! i hadn't heard of threadsense so i am excited to check it out ;)

xo,
joAnn

Mary @Delightful Bitefuls said...

GREAT post, Taylor! You look suppper hot in that top picture!

Mary xx
Delightful Bitefuls

Marcie said...

Great tips, Taylor! You are so right that this takes time and you always have to be on the hunt! You never know where the next style find will pop up.

xo Marcie

Launa said...

I was just (and I mean literally JUST) talking with my BFF about your blog and we love your style! We couldn't believe how amazing you make affordable clothing look so....fancy and high end. Love it! Thanks so much for the tips. :)

Emily said...

Thanks for the tips - always good to know how fellow fashionistas get the job done! I love love love your animal print outfit - very similar to Lauren's!
xoxo Emily
Bellishment!

lindsey lowe said...

thanks for the tip. i love remaking different outfits that i love too. and i definitely have to do that on a budget.

The Fancy Teacup said...

Great recommendations--shopping for afforadable clothes that match the look we are achieveing can be tedious, but I agree, well worth it. Always in love with your budget-savvy style, Taylor!

www.TheFancyTeacup.com
much love.

Kate said...

Love your style, it's so refreshing to know you don't spend a lot!

http://basiikblog.blogspot.com

Tiffany Kadani said...

Printing out a photo is so smart! I am so glad to see that you are thrifty and that your outfits are accessible. But it's your talented eye for fashion that I really need in my life.

Nicole Marie said...

i love that you wear affordable clothing and make it look so chic and sophisticated

Style-Pursuit said...

Thanks for these tips!!! So simple, so useful! I've never actually thought of printing pictures with my favourite outfits.... :o)

x

Jackie said...

love this post! Thanks for sharing :) You do have great style and we all know style doesn't come having money, but a creativity within and you definitely do! xx-Jackie

Anonymous said...

I do this a lot on Polyvore, where I'm trying to make a certain outfit and you can limit the search criteria to a specific price range. It's fun to try and copy a look in under $50, under $100, etc. or use only items under a set price amount!

Josie said...

These tips are fantastic, Taylor. I love scouring Forever21 and H&M for looks similar to designer ones.
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Great tips!

Justyna said...

love your process, mines the same, my "inspiration" folder is ripping at the seams!

Natalie Suarez said...

i love all of these pics!! especially the alexa chung quote. yes, man shirts are HOT! :)

natalieoffduty.blogspot.com

Ambyr said...

Love the looks for less! Thanks for sharing. Cute outfits.

Happy Monday,

http://www.thewrittenrunway.com/

Taylor Marie said...

I am so in love with the cheetah + polka dots combo! I have been searching those stores for a cheetah skirt lately to no avail, it definitely is not easy, but I do love the hunt!

Laura J said...

Great tips! Love your outfit mixing leopard with polka dots- such a cute idea:)
xo
LJ
http://jonesyloves.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

i'm the same way! i splurge on a few things like great fitting jeans, a classic trench and handbags, but i LOVE scouring the racks for my "own versions" of outfits. great post, taylor :)

Heidi said...

Great post and great recommendations! I agree with everything. Unfortunately there isn't any vintage stores where I live. It is mostly thrift stores and consignment shops filled with used department store clothes. And not very stylish ones at that. LOL

Love your H&M style!

Lainey said...

I really love your outfit! And I love the fact that it's all from H&M. I wish the items in my H&M were better.

la petite fashionista said...

I love your method to finding styles that are affordable, mine is similar! so comforting to see that you can be so fashionable without spending a fortune!

Dylana Suarez said...

You shop just like how I shop. YES to fashionable girls on a budget!

xoxo,

colormenana.blogspot.com

. said...

Thats what I do too, although I can't help the occasional impulse buy, haha! xx

MG said...

Such good advice. Since I've been saving I haven't shopped at all and feel so out of my groove. Hopefully I can get back to it!

Julie and Lauren said...

I do the same thing, but sometimes I can't resist a splurge! H&M and Zara though are my staples. Great post!
Xo

http://bornandbread.blogspot.com

Amy said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I too love fashion, but with living in an expensive city, working in non-profit, and loving to live large, unfortunately, my budget for clothing and accessories has to remain more modest. I love that you've shared tips on saving money as well as shown us a budgeted (but just as glamorous). Thanks Taylor!

CHLOE and JESSICA said...

you are stunning! love this!
xoxo

http://www.leatherlaceblog.com/

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