How To Be A Frugal Fashionista

When I was in my um-teens, I would constantly yap at my closet, complaining that I don't have anything to wear even if I just bought some clothes. Before, I used to have this one-outfit-a-week shopping spree to update my wardrobe to a point that I got broke, and I even had the gall to complain why I don't have savings in the bank. Childish!

Now, I've finally made peace with the fact that I should only settle for what I need and to make the most out of what I have. When I think about it, everything really happens at the right place and at the right time: If I'm still a severe clothes shopper now that I have to attend lots of events, I would literally be broker than broke, staring at the glass windows of my dream brands letting out a huge sigh and thinking when will I ever own them.

One of my beauty blogger friends once said that "You don't have to be ugly even if you don't have a lot of money to spend on cosmetics" and this adage rings true for fashion as well. You don't have to spend so much on clothes to look trendy (as they all come and go quickly), and you don't have to update your closet everyday to earn the title "Fashionista." It's okay if you're in that phase now-we all go through that. In time, you'll just learn how to be a frugal fashionista and trust me, it's gonna be great because you get to save more and allot money on grander and more important things. One day, if somebody tells you that you need to shop because seems like you don't have clothes as you wear the same piece over and over again, you just find peace and smile and say in your mind "Nah, I'm just holding out for the bigger things."

The best part in every journey is you can start anytime, especially while you're young. I have a few tips for you if you want to be frugal starting now.

1. One Word: PLAIN

- One of my mom's closest colleague in her industry rarely wears printed clothing. In fact, she only wears black most of the time: Black shirt, black blazer, black slacks, and she just embellishes her outfit with stunning accessories. The cool thing is, nobody cares if she wears black all the time because no one could tell if she has already abused her clothes so much that it definitely needs to be replaced already.

If there's one style that you have to invest in, it should be plain clothes. Plain meaning solid colors and classic cuts. Even if you wear them over and over again, no one would know once you top 'em with a blazer, cardigan, or jacket, or pair it up with various accessories. That's smart fashion, I must say.

Photo Credits: vanessaharts.files.wordpress.com

2. Picture it first, Feel it first

- So your favorite fashion blogger is sporting this super cool and super trendy envelope skirt. It looks so divine on her, but hold your horses. Stop and think: "Will it look good on me?" Use your imagination and picture yourself wearing that envelope skirt. Ask yourself if you are really into skirts to begin with. If you really can't get it out of your head, head to the mall and look for that envelope skirt, or use the power of the Internet to easily locate stores that carry this item. Try it on-don't worry, no one will judge you if you don't buy that item right away. Check if it flatters you. Check if you're comfortable with it: Can you sit in it without worrying if your undies are peeping? Do you have to pull it down always as it keeps on riding up your thighs? Never sacrifice comfort for fashion. Awkwardness is never fashionable.

Photo Credits: anewmode.com

3. Rummage through your closet (or even your mom's)

- I've come to realize that a lot of new clothing styles today are just embellished classics. If you chance upon this fab top on one Instagram seller, before sending an order form, take time to search through your closet as you might have the same piece or something similar. Since fashion is just like history as it repeats itself, go through your mom's closet and borrow or request for her old clothes. One man's trash is the treasure of another.

Photo Credits: ingleinternational.com

4. Do I really, really need that?

- Ask yourself over and over again if you really, really need that piece of clothing. Give it a day and think if that piece will really come handy, or you may say pass because you have other clothes that will suffice.

Photo Credits: olgadegtyareva.com

6. Can I afford it now?

- In relation to number 4, we always confuse needs with wants, so if you're really torn between getting that item or not, here's a question that will help you decide once and for all. CAN I AFFORD IT NOW?  Will it hurt your wallet or will you have to sacrifice your budget? Know your priorities and prioritize them first. Maybe that article of clothing can wait, or the new collection may have something better. As Warren Buffet once said, "Don't save what is left after spending. Spend what is left after saving."

Photo Credits: bestsquarefeet.com

7. Rent

- If you have a lot of formal events to attend, renting gowns is a good option. Gowns, in my opinion, are clothes that you more or less wear only once and not all the time for most people so the frugal option is to rent.

Photo Credits: healthmeup.com

8. Fit is Fashionable

- This is a hashtag I saw on one of my friends' Instagram photos and I agree. Come to think of it, if you don't gain weight, you don't have to spend on new clothes. Try to maintain your weight. It's good for your overall health too, ya know.

Photo Credits: bigpurposeworkshop.eventbrite.com

9. Have a Goal...A BIG goal

- Aim for a car, an investment, a luxury item, a dream vacation, a house, a condo, target savings in the bank, or whatever as long as its big. Setting high expectations for yourself does not only improve your spending habits, but also imparts other important traits like fearlessness, enthusiasm, and industriousness. If you have a big goal, trust me, you'll effortlessly be able to curb the need to shop impulsively. Remember, a cheesecake is better than a marshmallow. :D

Photo Credits: nytimes.com

9. Stop comparing yourself to others

- Others have the need to buy clothes always because of their field. Perfect example would be fashion bloggers: they need it because part of their task is to present different looks everyday. So if you're not a fashion blogger or you're not in a job that requires you to be dressed to the nines almost everyday, you surely don't need to buy new clothes everyday or every week.

Photo Credits: jpd.typepad.com

10. Learn the Art of Dedma

- In English, Dedma is loosely translated to the phrase "Devil may care" or "I don't care". You have to stop worrying about what others say about you and your outfit and ultimately, you have to stop assuming what others think about you. What others say have no meaning, unless you give it meaning. Who cares if you've worn that black dress for twenty times already? You launder it anyway so it's okay! :D

So these are my based-on-experience tips on how to be a frugal fashionista. The thing is, they are not easy to acquire and practice, really. Nothing valuable comes easy. Just be happy with the fact that in the end, all your efforts will be well worth!

Share yours in the comment section below-would love to have more input! :)

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