3 Easy Steps to Styling on a Budget

I always scroll through Instagram seeing these fierce street-style looks on bloggers and celebrities, and I’ve wondered how I can achieve the same effect on a more realistic budget. I was inspired to try my hand at concocting an accessible, yet high-fashion look, and I finally think I’ve cracked the code to making chic-ness affordable! Here are my top three tips to slaying the OOTD game without draining your savings…

1 | Start with something you have…

Reimagining things that are already in your closet is the best place to start because you most likely already know how it looks, fits, and what it might go with; it basically gives you a clue as to what direction you want your look to take!

I’ve had this Zara dress for a few years and always wanted to restyle it!

For example, I’ve had this Zara dress from their FW 2020 Campaign collection for a while and only wore it once! I considered selling it on Poshmark and even had a few offers on it, but something about its unique print and dramatic, artsy vibe kept urging me to try it again! I didn’t want to style it the way I did over a year ago; I wanted something that looked fresh and curated, just like the street fashion I’ve been coveting! I added in a hat I’ve had from Daizy Shely, but I needed a few more things to make it complete…

2 | Add a dash of pre-loved…

Shopping pre-loved pieces on secondhand designer retailers like The Real Real and Vestiaire Collective is honestly one of my favorite things; it’s like a treasure hunt for pieces that have a lot of style left in them & are moments that may have been forgotten about through the high turnover of trends! (Plus I’ve found things that are literally brand new and never worn for a fraction of the price!) Even though I admittedly love a good cheap find from a fast-fashion retailer, there really are just some elements of style you can’t get in run-of-the-mill stores, so looking for older designer styles is a great way to get “the look” when you don’t have a ton of cash. (Eg these Opening Ceremony gladiator kitten heels I found on The Real Real!)

Obsessed with these sandals from The Real Real!

I also love vintage and thrifted finds, like the earrings I wore here that belonged to a dear friend’s grandmother. Many of the pieces I got from her were clip-on earrings, and I didn’t want to just wear them in a conventional way, so I stacked a few of them & turned the last pair into ear cuffs for that edgy, curated look!

3 | When in doubt, rent the rest…

I’m a big fan of fashion rentals; having been a longtime user of Rent the Runway until recently, and a huge fan of designer bag rental service Vivrelle, I love the convenience of being able to change up your style for a fraction of the cost.

My latest rental obsession that came into play with this look was this Chanel phone bag from Vivrelle! I’ve always always always been a total fan girl of Chanel; the classic styles, signature quilting, leather-woven chain straps… am I drooling yet?! But, owning one isn’t in reach for me yet, so I’ve settled for the next best thing with renting! Plus, a good designer bag & logo can give just about any look that It-Girl vibe we’re going for here!