Model: Kayh Anderson
Let’s face it — embracing your feminine side can be pricey, especially if you’re a crossdresser or trans woman who loves to shop!
It gets even trickier when you’re juggling two wardrobes: one for your femme self and one for male mode.
But don’t worry — looking feminine and stylish doesn’t have to break the bank.
Here are my top 6 tips for building a beautiful feminine wardrobe on a budget!
1. Shop Smart at Thrift and Consignment Stores
To save on clothes and uncover unique gems, consider hitting up thrift stores and consignment shops.
While nothing beats in-person thrifting, you can also shop online. Here are my favorite sites to shop for second-hand clothing:
For higher-end fashion finds, try local consignment shops as they tend to be more selective about what they offer.
You could also explore these online consignment shops that focus on designer items:
2. Catch the Best Deals During Sales
Who doesn’t love a good sale? The key is knowing when to shop to snag those fantastic deals.
Retailers typically offer their best discounts during specific times of the year, such as:
- Major holidays like Labor Day, Mother’s Day, or the 4th of July
- After Christmas
- The end of summer
Many stores also host semi-annual sales; for instance, Victoria’s Secret holds its Semi-Annual Sale in winter and summer.
Sign up for your favorite stores’ email lists to stay in the loop about sales.
3. Explore Outlet Shopping
Outlet stores like TJ Maxx, Ross Dress for Less, and Marshalls offer year-round bargains. Prefer online shopping? These online outlets have got you covered:
4. Don’t Waste Money on Unworn Items
Spending money on items you’ll later regret is the ultimate waste. My rule is simple: don’t buy anything (no matter how inexpensive) unless it:
- Fits perfectly
- Is the right color
- Works with at least two outfits you already own
- Can be returned
I like to wait a week before removing any tags from my purchases. This way, I can make decisions at my own pace and still have the option to return things later.
5. Consider Affordable Fashion Finds
Fast fashion brands offer trendy styles at rock-bottom prices. While you can build a substantial wardrobe on a budget, there are some drawbacks.
Popular fast fashion sites include:
Keep in mind that fast fashion often means lower-quality items and poor return policies. Plus, there are ethical concerns, as fast fashion is known for its environmental impact and unfair labor practices.
Personally, I prefer to shop at thrift store and outlets over fast fashion sites whenever possible.
6. Know When to Save and When to Splurge
While saving money is crucial, there are certain items worth investing in. These are wardrobe essentials that can greatly enhance your feminine image and last a long time, including:
- Silicone breast forms
- High-quality shapewear
- A premium wig
These items can make or break your feminine image, so purchase the best quality you can afford. On the other hand, look for bargains when experimenting with trendy fashion pieces and accessories.
Share your savings secrets!
What are your go-to places for finding bargains and discounts? Do you have any additional tips for crossdressing on a budget or building a feminine wardrobe while saving money?
I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please share in the comments below!
Love,
Lucille
P.S. If you liked this article, you will love my FREE Male to Female Transformation Mini Course.
Lucille,
Unlike most of the readers of this Site I am a mtf transgender individual. Let me start by telling you that my height, frame, weight, and cup size 38 A, allow me to shop the junior sections. My tops are usually a small to medium, my pants size is 2 average, 3 regular, 5-7 in some cases, In a guys shoe I wear a twelve, but I can fit a 10-11 in women’s that depends on maker however. Knowing that on days that I buy shoes I try and stay with 2-3 brands. I enjoy your post and hope others will learn how to get the feminine image they desire.
Thank you so much for all that you post. Your advice is well taken by many of us.
When I came out at work about a year ago, I found some wonderful friends That have complete support for me. A couple of the ladies that I got to know have given me many articles of clothing and shoes. I have found these gifts to be a great addition to my wardrobe. Like a thrift store, though I have had to sort through and decide what to keep and what to donate.
This last weekend, my sister’s roommate needed some help setting up her TV and attaching it to an antenna. I had to work in a closet that was full of coats. I took the coats out of the closet and put them on the couch. I happened to mention to Betty that I needed to go coat shopping because the coats that I had to thin for winter. She happened to ask me to hand her the short fur coat. She held it up and asked me if I liked it. Well, duh!
She then had me try it on. When I put the coat on and buttoned it up It fit perfectly. Not only did it fit perfectly, But it felt wonderful on. She told me that the coat used to belong to her mother, who had passed away several years ago. It didn’t fit Betty, but she was not going to get rid of it either. As I was taking the coat off Betty said, “no, keep it on. It is yours.”
This coat is a brown fake fur coat. It is about three quarters lengths long and has a wonderful satin like lining. It is of great quality and it is of a vintage era. I think I am going to get a picture of me in it for sexy boudoir photo shoot. It will look like I have nothing on underneath the coat, but my birthday suit.
As you can see I save a lot of money on the close that I have in my closet. And these close come out of my closet often. Sometimes having the skills of a man in a woman’s world has its advantages. I’m able to trade for clothing and other items of value because in my skills in the “handyman” types of jobs.
One other tip that I would add to saving money on clothes is to budget with a monthly amount that you set aside for just clothing or other feminine items. Just like the rent or other necessary items, your budget will allow you to save and then when the cells are on you will have the money to take advantage of the bargains.
Remember, retail therapy is therapy. And we know that we all have some sort of “dysphoria” and we all need therapy for that. 🙂
Dear Lucille, Wonderful Advice! We all need to strech our money as far as possible. I find the best deals online for new shoes,look for sales and use coupons for a lot of items like makeup,panty hose and other personal items, especially lingerie. I found my favorite hand bag at a thrift store so I always take time to look at their accesories like jewelry at very low prices. The tip about not wasting money on things you will never or even seldom wear may be the most difficult. I think the trick is developing your own sense of style, so that you realize what will look good on you and more importantly what won’t,even though it may have before you tried it on. The feeling you get upon finding a real bargin is well worth the hunt.Best Wishes and Happy Holidays ~ Honey
Cato’s is a wonderful place tor tg/tv/cd to shop…also woman within on-line is great also especially their clearance section
Victoria-you are so right about Cato’s! My girlfriend and I just picked up three pairs of heels for $17. I’m so glad we’re the same size!
Hay Girls, I find alot of good things to were on eBay. I’ll make a bid when its low and drop out when it gos up. I never worry i’ll miss something because theres alway something new that will catch my eye. i got a great wordrobe for sometimes .01 plus shipping and sume will even ship for free. I’ll always check the size befor I bid on anything. Thanks Again Lucille, I realy love your site.
I agree that the clearance racks offer bargains that are mostly current styles.Some clothing was overpriced,hence it didn’t sell very well and ended up on “the rack”…I do the consignment stores from time to time and always judge the “frumpiness” of an outfit…frumpy,I don’t need. I am out and about seven days a week,so I can justify stylish and new outfits as a core to my wardrobe.I only wear good shoes,so I look in the marked down rack at DSW,Aerosole,Clark,etc..
I really like Venus.com, great style and very good prices. I got my mamas from the breast form store, love them.
Very good tips, I have shopped at all kinds of thrift stores and have found alot of nice things for daily wear and nights out on the town, beautiful cocktail dresses, and also formal dresses, and believe me when you check the prices in the stores they are much cheaper, you just have to look them over good for flaws. The same for shoes also. Most of the time I buy new shoes which some are pretty cheap if you look on the internet. I do shop at Kohls, JC Pennys , Fredricks of Hollywood..I am small framed and weigh 130 lbs..I wear a 9-10..Thanks for all the hints Lucille