The Broke Woman’s Guide to Looking Chic: 5 Tips to Keep Money in Your Pocket

September 29, 12:50 PMBaltimore Fashion ExaminerChristine Epps

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1. Google promotional companies like epromos.com for your daily necessities, like lip balm and lotion. Nine times out of ten, the promotional company will give you the product for free (it will just have the logo of a pharmaceutical company on it, but who cares, it’s free! (But to save my hide from Mark Yokoyama and his promotional company, do this suggestion at your own risk.) 

2. Start vintage shopping. If the mere thought of putting your figure in an outfit someone you don’t know threw away three months ago to Goodwill, get over yourself. Nowadays, the clothes at the Salvation Army are the very inspiration for many fashion designers. In fact, before you buy a “vintage-inspired” necklace from Forever 21, I recommend visiting your grandmother first. She’ll be excited for the visit, and may have a family heirloom she’d love to pass on to you. I did, and I scored a beautiful drop rhinestone necklace from my Granny.

3. Have clothing exchange parties with friends. You and your girlfriends already go shopping together, right? So you probably have similar taste. Chances are you guys are the same size, but if not, invite a third or fourth friend who is your size. Bring all the clothes you don’t want or don’t mind seeing for months and swap articles. I cant tell you how many times I have wanted a shirt my best friend Ashley bought and ended up borrowing it later, or how many times she has raided my closet for things I know I’ll never see again.

4. Offer yourself as a model at local high schools, colleges, and universities for aspiring fashion designers. Whenever you have a free moment, contact the Fine Arts department at your local educational institution and offer yourself as a model for students. They’ll be so excited to have someone interested in their work; they’ll probably give you the outfit you model for free. This way, you can say you have on an outfit exclusively designed for you, and like I always say, that student may go on to be the next Ralph Lauren.

5. Volunteer at local boutiques. Because of our rough economy, many stores in the Baltimore area are having trouble (just like every business). Some can’t afford to hire full time employees but still need extra help. If you’re a trustworthy, honest, and friendly person, put those skills to use and offer to volunteer at your local small boutique. Chances are the owner will be more than happy to pay you in clothing. Sometimes the items you get for free could be worth more than your wages for that entire day.

Follow these tips and you’ll stay a cheap (I mean frugal) woman like myself who spends more money on food than fashionable duds.

Tip: Spend most of your clothing money on accessories and outerwear. These are the articles that will be seen the most and are the ones that will get the most wear and tear. I wouldn’t pay $30 at Banana Republic for a black tank that I can get at Target for $16, especially if the Banana Republic tank didn’t come with a $10 bill in the front pocket.