How to Be a Budget Fashionista: The Ultimate Guide to Looking Fabulous for Less

So, I'm not really a "fashionista"...I just wanted to dress better and spend less money doing it. I don't follow fashion, didn't know any designers, and usually stick with jeans. Still, I really enjoyed the book, learned a lot, and can honestly say I'm dressing in a more fasionable way. I still don't read Vogue, but i do check her website.

I was pleasantly impressed with "How to be a Budget Fashionista." While I am not a "fashionista" (being "d'un certain age") I do like to make sure I look my best when I am out in public. I do a lot of public speaking and "meet and greet." So pointers on shopping and flattering fashions and makeup are welcome to this older gal. Plus, I don't like spending huge amounts of my take-home pay on work clothes. The book covers shopping, the where and how, in compact detail. The recommendations on some of the outlet malls seems to be correct from the experiences I've had there. And the advice on how to dress when doing battle-shopping is priceless. (Hint; going to a discount shop that has a public dressing room or no dressing room at all? No need to strip off in public --unless you are Britney Spears that is. Just wear form-fitting clothes like a yoga outfit and try on your finds over them.) There is advice on combing thrift shops and consigment shops for really expensive finds at a fraction of their cost. While I am not a fan of pre-owned clothes, I know that for someone on a miniscule budget, this can be a real blessing. The author tells you, the bargain hunter, what to avoid (musty or dank underarm smells? No no no. Bleach stain or other non-fixable ding in an otherwise cute outfit? If it's something you can sew an ornament over like a beaded patch or embroidery, then go for it.) The book tells you how to treat the STAFF at consignment and thrift stores (like royalty) so they are induced to do some pre-shopping for you and call you when choice items show up at the store. There are hints as well on sample sales (not for everyone.) But this book isn't just on salvage and rescue operations. It also covers how to put together a reasonably fashionable working wardrobe for a professional on less than you might spend on two or three items. It covers the best shoe stores both brick-and-mortar and online and it covers how to shop for a good handbag and WHY you DON'T want a knock-off from street vendors or certain online auction sites (counterfeiting is illegal and you are encouraging that kind of theft. And EVERYONE will know anyway.) For a relatively compact volume, "How to be a Budget Fashionista" covers a lot of ground with real-life examples of students taking $600 dollars (not a lot anymore for a full wardrobe) and getting fabulous for interviews and work. If you are entering the workforce, updating your look, going pro, whatever your reason to need to look fabulous on next to nothing, the first thing to put on your credit card is this book. I mean it.

This book is a wonderful guide on how to dress for success without taking out a second mortgage. Tips are given for everything from cheaper skin care to mixing high end and budget items. The listing of websites to visit are worth way more than the price of the book itself. True, there are some subjects that are useless to me because of where I live, such as Sample Sales. And in my area of the country, I could dress from head to in Prada, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana carrying a $7000 Louis Vuitton handbag, and everyone would assume that I went on a shopping spree at Sears. The fine points of Couture is not very well known in small agricultural communtities. However, the discussions on quality of clothing, developing your own style, and especially what to splurge on and what to go "budget" on are great for anyone, no matter where they are. The basic top ten articles of clothing are a good guideline for wardrobe building and her tips on shopping are priceless. Because of this book, I now visit her website EVERYDAY to see what's new, where the sales are, and who has special offers going on. As a harried, occassionly overstressed working mother of 3, reading this book has also helped my presentation of myself and my self confidence. After reading this, I realized that I do not have to look as frantic and stressed as I am. I work in a very casual workplace, but I no longer show up to work in a t-shirt and a baseball cap with no make up (well maybe only once a week now, instead of everyday). I have begun getting my hiney out of bed, fixing my hair, putting on full make up and jewelry and almost strutting into the office every morning. This in turn has helped my self confidence, which has helped my performance (which was pretty good to begin with), and guess who got Employee of the month for July?! Also after trying to make myself look good with clothes and make up, I've been inspired to begin the exercise routine my husband has been trying to get me to do for 3 years. I feel better and have more energy after only 2 weeks. Now, I'm not saying that this book will change your life or anything, but for some people like me, it just might inspire you to try new things, which will then snowball into great things.

I have been reading Kathryn for years on her blog The Budget Fashionista and let me tell you my wardrobe owes so much to her advice. Just yesterday as I walked out of my apartment building (I live in trendy Soho in NYC so these girls know their stuff) I was told I was wearing a beautiful dress. That dress I found after carefully applying Kathryn's tips at Filene's basement. The cost? $20! The book is just chock full of time and money savers. I also really appreciated the interviews with fashion and beauty professionals. Elke Von Freudenbeg's discount beauty tips were spot on. Though I must admit I have a bias because I read Elke's blog too. Your wardrobe will be better for buying this book. I promise!