Hello, my name is GMD and I am a recovering shopaholic. Not exactly the best prerequisite for a wannabe PF blogger but it is what it is 
Looking back, I don’t know how trendy or fashionable I actually was, but I know I sure worked hard to appear that way. Working downtown in one of the world’s most beautiful City with stylish people all around did not help my shopaholic tendencies either.
I’ve finally realized that the trendiest thing I can buy for myself is a debt-free life, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t stay trendy – I just have to learn how to look fabulous on a frugal budget! Sounds challenging, but not impossible!
Here are some of my simple tips on looking trendy on a not so trendy budget…
Organize/Purge Your Closet
Go through your closet and only keep items that you actually wear. Don’t keep anything you haven’t worn in over a year because if you didn’t wear it then, you won’t wear it now. If something doesn’t fit well, either get it tailored or throw it out. If it has holes, rips, or snags it in, get rid of it! Polished, well-fit clothes make you feel good and thus make you look good and even the most boring clothes look trendy when worn with self-confidence!
Shop Your Closet
I’m guilty of always saying “I have nothing to wear” but truthfully, most women (and men) have much more in their closet than they think. I make it a game to try to wear everything I have in my closet and being daring in mixing and matching items I wouldn’t normally wear together. Apparently nowadays its trendy to mix contrasting patterns like stripes with florals but I’m not that trendy! I’ve been told it’s also OK now to mix navy blue and black! Craziness!
Invest in Staple Pieces
Make-me-feel-like-a-million-bucks dark skinny jeans, white tees, black blazers, black dress pants, pencil skirts, dress shirts, cute blouses, LBD, trench coat, black boots, black flats, black pumps, a nice purse etc. are all examples of staple pieces that every women needs in her wardrobe and these are the pieces that you don’t want to cheap out on. Take the time to find quality staple pieces because they will last a long time and a LBD (little black dress) will always be trendy. I promise. Try to buy some of these staple pieces during the off season where they will be on sale, like black boots in spring or black flats in winter.
Buy the Occasional Trend for Cheap
Of course, there will be times when a current trend comes along that is just too cute to pass up, so try to buy these pieces at affordable stores that won’t break the bank like Forever 21 or H&M. Remember the peplum look? Yeah, I can barely remember either so I’m sure glad I didn’t spend more than $20 on the 2 peplum tops I have.
Budget for the Occasional Shopping Trip
When you need to replace a staple piece, want to buy an occasional trend to update your wardrobe, or just plain treat yourself, budget in advanced for the shopping trip. I have debt but I refuse to feel guilty when I want to do a little bit of retail therapy every 3-4 months.
This post may have been dedicated to “staying trendy” but GMD readers know that real trendiness comes from within. I’m becoming more trendy by the day because I’m gaining control of my finances and that’s a sexy self-confidence that won’t go out of style!
Any other tips for staying trendy on a not so trendy budget?
P.S. anyone sick of the word trendy yet?
The post Staying Trendy on a Not So Trendy Budget appeared first on Girl Meets Debt.