As all of you know, I love a bargain and I always have people ask me how I can afford so many clothes. This post is going to tell all! I'll share all my tips on how to look great on a budget and where the best places to shop are.
I currently study full time at University, so instantly have no money because of that. Greaaaat :( When i'm not at university you may ask 'Why don't you get a job?' I do, BUT I have to work for free. I intern at as many fashion companies as possible to give me the experience needed when I graduate. So instantly this gives me no disposable income, no parents to fend for me, no inheritance from a rich Grandmother and definitely no savings. Because of this, i've become quite a good bargain hunter so with what money I do manage to scrape together I am still able to buy great clothes.
It helps I don't actually like very many designer clothes, as they would definitey not be on the agenda. I love second hand, and I love hand made so that's great for my bank balance. Although I do splash out now and again on 'staple' items any fashionista just NEEDS. E.g. Jeffery Campbells ;)
- My number one savior is eBay.
1. A great tip I do often is I go shopping on the highstreet, try the items I like on and note down the products I would love to buy in the stores e.g. Topshop. I then cheekily head home and search the items wanted on eBay. It's almost garunteed you'll find it for a lot cheaper then in store. Sometimes it will have been worn once, but often still has all the tags on because the seller has just changed their mind. Great for you and me!
2. Another great thing about eBay is you can cut the middle man out. E.g. you see some replica Jeffrey Campbells in a store (you know the ones I mean, I personally hate them but hey if that's what floats your boat). The wholesaler for these shoes are often on eBay and if you search well you'll be able to find them. The average retailer sells the replica JC litas for around £38. On eBay, there are hundreds of pairs for under £25. Instant £13 saved, HELLO extra clothes.
3. So now lets get onto the overseas sellers. Instead of buying those cross earrings you've had your eye on for a while in Topshop, EBAY IT! There are so many overseas sellers selling their jewels for as little as 99p with free postage. You do have to wait up to three weeks for you purchases to arrive from the likes of China but I think it's definitely worth it when the items are so cheap. Nearly all my jewelry is from eBay. Collar tips, ear cuffs, arm cuffs, rings, you name it they'll have it! You'll never have to pay Topshop prices again
Here's a couple of my favorite eBay businesses which sell amazingly cheap jewellery: No 1, No 2, No 3
These are a couple of the recent items I have purchased from these sites...
Gold coloured skull detail ear cuff: £2.99 Free postage
Collar tipsL £1.99 Free postage
Eye detail ear cuff £1.99 free postage.
£0.99 Free postage- Obviously buying from the high street can't be avoided all together so when you do http://www.fashionvouchers.com/ is a definite savior. I never ever ever buy anything online without checking here first for any vouchers. Free postage codes, 20% off codes, £10 off codes, any voucher and i'm there! Change your online buying routine by checking them first before buying ANYTHING!
- Secretsales.com have established great relationships with hundreds of brands. This is great for us as it means cheaper prices on established brands including American Apparel, Cheap Monday and House of Holland. They offer up to 70% off so it's well worth browsing through. Cocosa is another website similar to secretsales which is also worth little visit.
- Bigwardrobe.com is a website I love to use. You can swap your old clothes for great new ones with other online users. It's great for the environment, recycles your old clothes, and help you create a new wardrobe on a budget.
- Theoutnet.com is perfect for picking up a staple designer item at a discounted price. Designers include Stella McCartney and Alexander Wang so there's some great pieces. I think it's good to have a mixture of second hand items (picked up for pennies) with one designer piece like a handbag. It makes the overall style original and unique.
Here's some of my tips :)
- Don't forget to use your student discount! Flash the precious student card at every possibility. Every little counts. Asos sometimes offer 20% off which is really handy.
- ALWAYS browse through car boot sales, they are literally so amazing and if you're a regular reader of my blog you will see all of the bargains I manage to pick up. Normally items are under a pound!
- Look through charity shops, loads of vintage clothes can be picked up regularly and very cheap. It's all one off pieces too.
- Look in all the sales.
- Always check your favorite blogger's blog for sales. They often sell their clothes at a discounted price for a quick sale, which you should definitely take advantage of and snap up quickly before someone else gets there first.
- When you buy high street shoes, always buy cushioned soles to put in them, making them as comfortable as those Jimmy Choos we all want!
- Don't limit yourselves to just womenswear. I buy lots in menswear, and often it's a little cheaper.
- Accessorise!! Buy patches to put on vintage sweaters (I have an amazing Yogi Bear one haha), buy dyes on eBay to tie dye t shirts. Buy studs on eBay to stud up your old Levi's. Can get them here. The possibilities are endless. (Check out some of my tutorials for a few more ideas.)
If you have actually read up to this point then well done haha, It's quite a lot of text!
Do you have any fashion tips for shopping on a budget? I would love to know them.
Let me know if you find this helpful, or if you ever need an NUS student code for online shopping!
Have a lovely weekend,
Stay Cute,Jessiexoxo
