Model: Kayh Anderson
In case you haven’t noticed, being a girl gets expensive – especially if you love to shop as much as I do!
It’s even worse if you have to maintain two separate wardrobes (one for your femme self and one for your guy self).
So how can you be feminine and fashionable – WITHOUT going broke?
Here are my top 5 ways to build a femme wardrobe on a budget:
1. Shop at Consignment Stores
While you can find cheap clothes galore at thrift stores like the Salvation Army or Goodwill, it means sifting through racks of ugly, decades-old clothes.
Instead, I suggest shopping at consignment stores. Consignment stores also offer second-hand clothing, but they are much more choosy about what they offer.
It’s a great way to find fashionable (often designer) clothes for a fraction of the original price.
2. Save Big During Sales
I LOVE a good sale – and I’m sure you do too. The trick is to know when to shop to get the best deals.
Retailers usually offer their best sales at specific times of year, including:
- Major holidays like Labor Day, Mother’s Day, or the 4th of July
- After Christmas
- The end of summer
Many stores also have their own schedule for semi-annual sales. For example, Victoria’s Secret holds their Semi-Annual Sale in the winter and summer. Get on your favorite stores’ email lists to be notified of sales.
3. Shop the Outlets
Outlet stores like TJ Maxx, Ross, Marshalls, and Kohls are great places to find bargains year round.
Here are my favorite online outlets:
6PM.com and Overstock.com carry plus size clothing and large-size women’s shoes, so they’re a great option for bigger girls.
4. Stop Wasting Money on Things You Don’t Wear
Spending money on things you’ll later regret is the ultimate waste.
My rule is not to buy anything (no matter how cheap) unless it:
- Fits perfectly
- Is the right color
- Works with at least 2 outfits you already own
- Is returnable
I like to wait a week to cut the tags off any clothes I purchase so I can make up my mind slowly and still be able to return things later.
5. Know When to Save and When to Splurge
While it’s important to save money, some things worth investing in include:
- Silicon breast forms
- A high quality wig
- Good foundation and concealer
These items can make or break your feminine image, so purchase the best quality you can afford.
Then look for bargains when it comes to things like: trendy fashion pieces, eye shadow, nail polish, panties, etc.
How do YOU manage your femme wardrobe budget? Do you have any money-saving tips to add to this list?
As always, I’d love to hear from you, so please share in the comments section below!
Love,
Lucille
P.S. If you liked this article, you will love my FREE Male to Female Transformation Mini Course.
transformation tips?
i shop a lot of garage sales as well me and my girlfriend i do this in male mode but still find a lot of good deals on clothes
Great ideas Lucille. What also works for me is investing my clothes budget first in a really well made, top brand gray or black wool skirt, nicely tailored, satin lined, classic fit . . . . . . then adding 5 or 6 bargain sale-priced lesser quality tops that ALL match the skirt. I do the same with investing in well made high-quality lace-top thigh highs (black or nude only) . . . . . . then stay with super sale outlet store basic flats in black or tan (they go with everything). I invest in really top-end bras, well made, they’ll last, wash well, and hold their shape . . . . . then get all my panties at bargain/sale prices like buy 3 get 2 free, or 50%-80% off in discontinued rack (I can then have LOTS of these and not worry about how long they’ll last). I’ve also stayed with super-sale bargain camis, half-slips, and full-slips from thrift stores, as so many wonderful ’80s and ’90s styles from Vanity Fair and the like are so well made, wear well and wash well, and have such pretty lace accents/hemlines/bustlines (so sad that women today don’t match dresses/skirts styles with classic slip+cami liners underneath). My minerals make-up is higher priced top quality (amazing clean natural coverage), but my mascara, eye liner, shadow, lipstick, and nail polish are ALL sale items. My perfumes are all 99cent knock-off little spray bottles. My shoulder bags/purses are all thrift store, but my peacoat is worth investing in. My jewelry is ALL thrift store, but very well coordinated two sets, one in silver and one in gold, no single earring, watch, bracelet, necklace, ring more than $4. But, I use salon-brand shampoo + conditioner on my own long hair, because it truly makes (or breaks) my overall feminine appearance. Oh, and I always buy the 24-pack of drugstore’s own store brand of maxi pads, so only about $2 after club card and coupon. Same for the big hair clips I use to pull up on both sides (99cents each at Target). But it all comes together very nicely. Also, wash, rinse, dry, care for everything and clothes+lingerie will last.
Cathy you are really awesome. You go into such details as to what works for you and your honesty about your maxi pads uasage is overwhelming. I wish I could see another photo of you.Thanks for your information
One of the things I always try to do is to dress my age! I like to look sex appealing and not over do it. I wear jeans and a nice top make sure my makeup is done just right and then step on out to enjoy the day! I shop sales, thrift stores and of corse I am a TJMax’r. Love you blogs.
Barbara
One of the places I like to get great bargains at is called Savers. I would describe it as an upscale Salvation Army with very low scale pricing. The clothing and other items and accessories are beautiful, and they have lots of designer name brands. Really great place.
I absolutely agree that make-up is not the place to cut costs. I do not wear a lot, but what I do wear is of high quality. No woman, and I mean no woman, looks good in cheap base or lipstick LOL. I also think it’s important to buy quality hair dye (if you use hair dye) and nail Polish. The cheap stuff looks awful.
Always good to get new ideas and thoughts,live your blog and reading others
I’ve had great luck on EBAY
Great advice, I also enjoy hitting little small town stores in my travels you just never know what you’ll find I guess being a cross country trucker does have some benefits
There are all kinds of discount stores in city I live (Toronto), and also, as you mention Lucille, after xmas stores start putting winter stuff for sale to make room for spring summer stuff, and likewise in July the stores are already trying to clear their summer stuff to make room for fall/winter clothes and you can get great deals in even higher end stores.