The summer season is no different. With endless invites to parties and traipsing from borough to borough to enjoy all NYC has to offer, a girl has to look good, by any means necessary. But frugal fashionistas have to be smart and manage to look fab on a budget (how else to afford all those drinks and appetizers at the local rooftop bar?)
Below, several fashionable 20-somethings who work in NYC's nightlife, fashion and media industries (where paychecks are small but the pressure to look stylish 24/7 looms) share some of their best-kept secrets to looking great for less in the Big Apple.
Shop Consignment/Resale Stores
Consignment shops, where high-end, slightly worn clothing is sold for a fraction of the retail price, are great places to score vintage designer duds. Spending time carefully checking shops and the merchandise they offer may sound time-consuming; however, when you score a pair of Manolos for hundreds less than what they normally cost, it makes the trip totally worth it. "I always manage to find something really cute that sets me apart from the crowd, and the best part is no one knows how little I paid for it," reveals one Brooklyn stylist and bartender.
Shop Forever 21 and H&M for Trendy Items Only
Unless you can fit their jeans (which most of us with a booty and thighs can't), try not to buy wardrobe staples (white shirt, black pants, jeans, cashmere cardigan, etc.) from trendy stores like H&M and Forever 21. These stores are better-suited for trendy clothing, shoes and accessories you may only wear a few times. One New York PR assistant says," I shop Gap and Banana Republic sales for white Oxford shirts and dress pants, basics for my work wardrobe. But my trendy sequin minis or graphic tees come from less expensive stores." For more trendy summer styles, don't be afraid to try stores like Arden B, Mandee, Strawberry and even lesser-known boutiques that sell trendy pieces.
Buy Dresses Instead of Separates
For a feminine look that is totally pulled-together, you can never go wrong with a dress. Not only are dresses "instant outfits", but often they are less expensive than buying separate tops, skirts and pants to mix and match. Try buying dresses in fabrics like jersey knit and in styles that can be layered as the weather gets colder to get more bang for your buck.
Do Not Spend All Your Money on Sandals
It's tempting to buy every sandal under the sun when you have a fresh pedicure and so many options to choose from (barely-there neon thongs to sky-high, embellished stilettos), but the truth is it can be a total waste. Sandals get the most air-time from early June to mid-September (roughly three months) and then they are banished to your closet until next spring, when you discover that they are worn out or no longer fit. Take advantage of inexpensive casual sandals sold in stores like Old Navy and Gap, and also buy sandals on sale. For dressy and special-occassion sandals, try a Nine West or Aldo outlet store. The money you save on sandals can be used toward a sexy fall boot or handbag, items that you will need to spend more money on since you wear them more often during the year.
Shop Sample Sales.
Sample sales are excellent places to shop if you are label-conscious but are on a budget. To find about sample sales in advance, check lists on websites like The Budget Fashionista and Citylauch. Also read listings in Time Out NY and New York Magazine. Be careful to check the return and refund policy as well as acceptable payment (some sample sales may prefer you pay in cash only) before you go shopping.
WIth these simple tips, you can save money for a summer getaway or your fall wardrobe. Most of all, you'll look your absolute best while enjoying the short yet sweet summer season.
