As a LifeStyler reader, you’re probably hip to a few other budget savvy blogs and websites regarding frugality and shopping. And if you’ve spent any time checking out budget shopping guides, you’ve no doubt come across the musings of The Budget Fashionista. Founded by Karthryn Finney, TBF has built a cult following by becoming the Go-To destination for budget-savvy shoppers looking to stay in style without breaking the bank. Along with showcasing fashionable looks for less, they frequently feature sample sales, interviews with the creme de la creme of the fashion world for style tips, and DIY guides to re-creating runway looks for under $100 (and oftentimes under $60). So with budget consciousness on the brain and the masses flocking to find bargain deals, we couldn’t not pick Kathryn’s brain for some tips on how to keep in style in the workplace for less than you probably spend on your electricity bill.
As an introduction to some of our readers who aren’t familiar with you, how did you become known as the Budget Fashionista?
The budget fashionista started from a love of fashion, but a lack of cash. I was living well above my means, racking up over 6 figures in credit card and student loan debt. I started the blog in 2003 as a way to stay connected with friends and to chronicle my experiences getting out of debt.
My tips for keeping your spending underwraps is pretty simple- know what comes in and know what goes out. Actually sit down with your bank and credit card statements and look at your income AND what you’re spending. When I first started doing this, I found out I spent like $125 a month on Pom pomegranate juice. Did I seriously need to spend that much on juice? So I cut it out and put the money into my IRA.
Your job hunting wardrobe isn’t the time to start to express yourself through clothes. Start with the basics: a nice black suit, a pair of closed toed black pumps, and a basic camisole or shell. Yes, it’s boring, but when you’re job hunting you want folks to focus on your skills and not on your clothing.
I don’t believe in set percentages because there are times when you may need to spend more and times when you don’t need to spend anything. Focus on building what I call in my book, How to Be a Budget Fashionista: The Ultimate Guide to Looking Fabulous for Less, The Perfect Ten, the ten things you need in your closet, like a pair of great jeans, a tote bag that can double as a purse and a briefcase for work, a nice black suit, etc. Once you have those things, then your shopping expenditures should be focused on building up your closet.
The goal is to buy the best quality items you can afford. However, realize that quality and price are not synonymous. You can get some great, high quality items, the same items you find at department stores, for much less at places like Marshalls, TJ Maxx and Ross. You want to use the 70/30 rule- meaning 70% of your closet should be classic pieces (your perfect ten) and 30% trendy fun pieces.
Some of the key clothing pieces are a black suit, black pumps, tote bag, a nice black or brown pencil skirt, two very nice dresses (one a little black dress and one dress in another color) that you can wear to evening events.
One of the best places for men to shop for bargains is the outlet stores. You can find amazing prices on high end designer items for men. Some of the best outlets for guys are the Last Call Neiman Marcus outlets and the Saks Fifth Avenue Outlets. Plus both of these outlets offer coupons for additional discounts if you sign up for their newsletters . Target also has upped their style quotient for men, premiering a line by Isaac Mizrahi for guys.
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great interview, she really does give good advice
@andrea – Yeah, she definitely knows her stuff. If you check out her website on a weekly basis, she always has theses weekend outfits for under $60. Good stuff.