Hola! As promised here is part 2 of Pongan el Cafe's interview with fashion expert Lilliana Vazquez. I had one very important question for this chica -- What are some of your secrets for looking fabulous on a budget?
Here are a couple of suggestions from Lilliana:
Start with a great pair of Jeans
Jeans are the foundation of many Hollywood starlets looks and there’s no reason to spend $200 on designer denim when so many stores carry similar, if not exact styles! Check out the juniors department at Macy’s for the latest washes, cuts and styles and if you want something even cheaper, give Old Navy a try! They run countless promotions on their denim for the whole family and they never cost more than $30 anyway!
Know Where to Shop
Certain stores are built around designer looks for less. H&M and Forever 21 are a goldmine of inexpensive trendy style inspired by today’s hottest celebrities and runway looks. You can find shirts, tunics, pants, dresses, and all kinds of accessories at very inexpensive prices, which will have you looking just like the Olsen’s at a fraction of the cost!
Diffusion Lines
If you’re looking for a designer label, but not a designer price, many high-end designers are now partnering with certain retailers to offer lower priced versions of their designer collections. Stores like Wal-Mart, Target and JC Penney have paired up with some of the biggest names in fashion to bring you designer names at budget friendly prices.
Scour Secondhand
One of the best places to find vintage and designer pieces is at secondhand stores like Goodwill and The Salvation Army. You have to be really patient and in the mood to sort through all the bad stuff, but there’s so many great finds if you just take the time to look! You’d be totally surprised at what people will just give away!
Mix High + Low
The reason celebrities like Cameron Diaz and Nicole Ritchie always look so stylish is because they’re perfected the art of the mix. Although they could dress in head to toe designer, what gives them their unique look and personal style is that they’re not afraid to mix a Balenciaga jacket with a pair of Old Navy shorts. Mixing designer pieces with cheapchic items creates a look that’s entirely your own!
Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize
This is the cheapest way to get the most “bang for your buck”. You can transform jeans and a white tee from basic to WOW by adding just the right mix of jewelry or a standout pair of shoes!
Learn to sew or find a great seamstress
Tailoring to fit your body makes any garment look custom and switching out the standard-issue buttons on a jacket or a blazer makes it look like a designer buy.
Shop early…for the next year!
The end of the season is the best time to shop because of the aggressive markdowns. You might have to store those bikinis until next summer, but you’ll save tons of money in the process!
Shop your own closet!
If you feel the need to shop but just can’t afford it, try shopping at home. Pull out your favorite pieces, find new ways to wear them or new ideas for mixing them with items that you already own. If you challenge yourself to come up with 3 new ways to wear a favorite, you’ll feel like you’ve shopped for new clothes without spending any money!
Quality not quantity
It’s better to have a few things that you really love than a lot of things you kind of like. If you buy what you love, you’ll end up with a closet full of things to wear, instead of trend items that will have you looking dated in just a few months.
Pongan el Cafe had one more question for Lilliana before hitting the road: Finding clothes for curvy women is hard enough, but where do you suggest Hispanic women shop for great affordable and chic outfits?
I don’t think it’s as much about where you shop, but more about how you shop. Buy clothes that fit your body and gently hug your curves. Also, if you’re more voluptuous avoid tight fitting clothes and busy patterns at all costs! Try looser styles in darker colors that camouflage your problem areas instead or drawing attention to them.
Gracias Lilliana!!
For more great fashion finds and tips visit The Cheap Chicas Guide to Style. If you'd like to learn more about this fabulous chica, visit www.lillianavazquez.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment