The Ten Commandments of Frugal Fashionistas

Just about every woman I talk to feels that her style is limited for financial reasons. Needless to say, being stylish is made a lot easier when we're loaded. But, I also think that we can all agree, money alone cannot guarantee style.

Some of the most stylish women I know live on truly minimal incomes, but still manage to look good most (if not all) of the time. How do they do it?

They live by the frugal fashionista's 10 commandments.

Here they are: Read them, save money and be stylish.

1. When the frugal fashionista buys, she buys quality. Not expensive clothes necessarily, but quality clothes. She knows that a quality garment will last five times longer than a cheap alternative. Therefore, in the long run, quality clothes make much more economic sense.
2. She is a savvy sale shopper. We all love a good sale, but the savvy fashionista knows what to buy and what to avoid. She is not tempted by the size of the price reduction or the designer tag. Instead, she uses sale time to buy timeless, high-quality pieces at greatly reduced prices.
3. Sale or no sale, she tends to buy timeless interesting pieces or classics. The frugal fashionista is cautious when she spends money on trends. Interesting pieces that appeal to her unique sense of style won't date in the way high fashion will, and true classics will stand the test of time.
4. She goes second-hand. When she is short of cash, but craves retail therapy, she shops in charity stores. Or raids her mother's/ friend's/sister's/daughter's wardrobe in pursuit of great pre-loved pieces.
5. She loves to forage and fossick at markets and galas. Stylish women love authenticity at a budget price. Better the one-of-a-kind, real-deal, hand-felted woolen coat with a possum-fur trim from the [thrift store], than the more costly, made in China chain-store version.
6. She swaps clothes with others. The stylish woman is generous with her hand-me-downs in faith of clothing karma. She passes on clothing
   that no longer suits or fits her. She gratefully considers the
   off-casts from her fellow fashionista friends, some of whom can afford
   to make fashion mistakes. One woman's fashion mistake is another's
   style bonus.
7. She plans her wardrobe well. Money spent on new clothes is
   not a random act of retail weakness. Rather, its money spent on a
   well-researched and highly needed garment or pair of shoes to fill a
   wardrobe "gap." For example, when her faithful black pencil skirt is
   looking a little tired, she begins to look out for a high-quality
   replacement at a good price. She is organized and disciplined in the
   knowledge that this "buys" her more style for her money.
8. She chooses versatile pieces. Clothing that can be worn in
   several ways and to several occasions makes more sense, practically and
   financially. A fine, black wool top can be worn night and day, with all
   colors and a multitude of textures. A satin, floral patterned kimono
   wrap -- no matter how divine -- cannot.
9. She knows and understands that less really is more. Fewer
   clothes with more style should be the aim of every frugal fashionista.
   Better a small wardrobe of high-quality, timeless and versatile pieces,
   than a large one crammed full of eclectic, cheap and nasty items that
   make her look like a harassed salesperson in a budget chain-store.
10. She is the queen of accessories. Accessories are an
    inexpensive way to add interest and style to an outfit. The frugal
    fashionista knows this and has a stash of funky earrings, home-made
    necklaces and second-hand scarves, which she uses to spice up classic,
    timeless pieces that could otherwise be deemed bland.

Source: The Nelson Mail. Powered by Yellowbrix.