Tips for the Diva who shops on a budget

 

RHONY's Kelly Bensimone is a confessed
budget shopper. Read about it here.


 Do you ever find yourself sashaying down the runways of life (the sidewalks, the hallways, the vestibules...you know...where ever) and hear comments like "Oh girl!! Give me those boots!"  Or "You look so cute today!"  And "I love that dress! Your style is so funky! Love it!"

Gucci Luggage $699.00 compare at $1,999.00


Then you think to yourself 'Self, if they only knew how much I DIDN'T pay for this ensemble'. 

But over to your left is that chick who has on the flyest Loubous aka Red Bottoms and she's dripping in labels and price tags, but NO ONE pays her any compliments.

SM Ollie Bootie Retail price $90.00/DSW.com $39.94
Now I used to be one of those label hungry chicks.  Ohhhh man! I worked at the mall and I went IN! I left owing money to this one mall store where I worked in college.  I was consumed by the newness and labels of it all. 


But as I walked down the runways of college (through the Pit at UNC, down the brick monster filled pathways to South Campus, along the escalators of Lenior Dining Hall), I pretty much looked like EVERY single lady on that campus.  I mean we very well should have been catalogue models.  You could tell a Carolina girl by the way she looked/dressed.

But one day I woke up.  Paying an extreme amount of money for clothes (I no longer even have) is not worth it unless it is a quality piece of course. 


Don't forget to get something for your sweetie.
Hugo Boss watch retail $800.00/TJ Maxx $179.99
And I learned to address my STYLE. You know my personality, my inner diva, the flyness within my DNA...and I realized it doesn't cost a lot of money to express all of that with ease!

A couple of weeks ago I went to Ross and bought seven dresses for a whopping total of 120.00.  And trust me, these pieces are fiyah!!

So here are some tips for you. 
  1. Shop at discount stores. Ross, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, etc.  You get designer clothes at wholesale prices.
  2. Use coupons.  At the end of each season stores have multiple sales clearing out for the next season.  If you shop online go to sites like http://www.retailmenot.com/ to get coupon and promo codes. (Do that when you shop anyway.)
  3. Michael Kors Hobo bag $100.00 compare at $250.00
  4. Know what looks good on you.  Every thing ain't for every BODY.   Find out what shapes and colors look good on you.  Go to different places and try on different clothes. You do not have to spend money every time you go to a shop or boutique.
  5. Shop at boutiques.  Honestly you can find great bargains in boutiques. And they are more willing to negotiate on prices. (I remember getting some shoes in Miami for 60% off the listed price...)
  6. Don't go trend crazy. Now some trends are cute and can carry over through different  seasons.  Then there are those that get hot for a quick second and quickly fizzle. You don't want to spend money on something you cannot use.  Buy staple pieces that you can mix and match.  (I remember buying this mesh top shirt from Express that I wore for about 5 years...and people loved it. It looked unique, was a trend, but not over the top)

Michael Kors Berkley Clutch
$198.00 retail/$79.99
TJMaxx

But y'all, please don't buy something just because it is five bucks.  You don't want to look cheap just because you're shopping on a budget.  Also remember, accessories are your friend! They will class up a look and bring last season into the here and now!



Comments

Popular Posts