August 31st, 2007 - How to be a Budget Fashionista by Kathryn Finney
How to be a Budget Fashionista: The Ultimate Guide to Looking Fabulous for Less by Kathryn Finney is a good book for frugle clothes shoppers, even for non-fashionistas like myself. I harbor a secret desire to dress fashionably, but I never have and I’ve realized I never will. I simply don’t care enough about clothes to do so. But, I do still need to buy clothes! She also has a blog, The Budget Fashionista which is constantly updated with clothing deals, trends, coupons, and more.
The book starts with some guidelines for budgeting–she does it in a neat way specifically aimed at people who love to buy clothes. Her advice is actually good for anyone starting to budget who likes to spend tons of money on anything. Create your budget based on what you spend (minus on X), look at the money you have leftover, and split it 50/50 savings and X (clothes, technology, books, etc.).
The next section is about finding your style. It includes some great tips for undergarments, and I’m putting one into practice already. (She recommends Lane Bryant for large busted women. And, while the rest of me doesn’t fit that store, it sounds like I may easily find the right bras there.) I also enjoyed the style quiz, even though I fit half and half into two categories (so I’m a Conservative Urban Trekker). She also covers body shape, accessories, and going through your closet.
The last section is about how to find bargain fashions. If I lived in a big city (Chicago, New York, etc.) I’d have some great fun tracking down some of the things she talks about. And she gave insight into T. J. Maxx, which now intrigues me. I didn’t realize they were like an outlet mall; I thought they sold their own stuff. (They don’t, they resell other store’s clothes.) While I’m still content with my chinos from Lands’ End and the thrift stores and the green and off whilte shirts from the same, I still found the information interesting and gleaned a few little tips here and there. (Like Boy Girl Party which has some really cool t shirt designs. Meaning, I bought one.)
One thing I didn’t care for was the extensive listings of websites. While in the above case, it was great and the site was still there, out of the other half dozen I tried, two were gone. That’s not good odds, and the downfall of books with website listings. (I once was given a book that was over 50% links. That book wouldn’t be valuable for long!)
And hey! Wisconsin was even mentioned! Somehow, she found a fashion trend here before it became trendy elsewhere. I have no idea what in the world that could have been, as blaze orange clothing and cheesehead hats really aren’t all that popular.
I reviewed this book because another blog pointed out her offer to send it free to anyone willing to review it on their blog. I couldn’t pass up a free book (on a topic I was interested in, at least). I did enjoy reading it and would recommend it to others. And now, I have at least two friends who I believe are budget fashionistas (or at least should be!)…I just have to decide who will get this book! I think they would both love it. (Maybe I’ll buy it for the other person.)
September 2nd, 2007 at 4:38 am EDT
Hi Ann Marie,
For some reason I was thinking of you tonight at work and thought I would google you and here you are!! Remember me? We went to jr/sr high school in Madison together!! I wish I could say I was “Simple” minded, but that trait did not find it’s way with me!! E-mail me!!!
Love,
Tricia
September 2nd, 2007 at 1:05 pm EDT
Blaze Orange and cheese-hats started in Wisconsin? I thought that NYC was was importing it from Milan….
September 4th, 2007 at 1:58 pm EDT
Here’s a site that you might also enjoy (or at least fits in with the topic) — http://www.outblush.com/ — it’s a bit expensive, but sometimes you can find deals.
Thanks for the book review. I’ll add this to my winter reading list.