Model: Kayh Anderson
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.
transformation tips?
I’m a very big fan of the consignment shops. I find beautiful designer clothing at very reasonable prices. Since the clothing is originally expensive when new, the previous owners tend to take very good care of thier things.
I love your site, Diana
I also look for these yearly sales. I have found some online stores that I have ordered from. nomorerack(high discounts) alloy and venus. But my most favorite shop in rue21 and forever 21
Hi all,
Maybe you can ask for a haircut that gives you versatility in terms of styling. This is what I plan to ask the next time I visit my hairdresser. I’d hate to be locked in one style due to a particular cut.
And that versatile cut you’re going for lets you go into guy mode? Sorry if this sounds confusing. I actually haven’t done this before. Just testing my idea.
Hi,
Here’s a tip I have learnt this year – if u are overweight (like I was) and want to do something about it, lose the weight BEFORE expanding your femme wardrobe, especially skirt-wise. Since start-july I have gone down at least 3 skirt sizes, and can fit into UK size 8 in some stores. Alas that means I have a lot of skirts I can’t wear any more, some of which I really liked.
Andrea
Hi,
There are good tips here… though being in UK the only store you mention we have is TK Maxx (assume it’s the same as TJ), but although they have good bargains I find the rails are just a huge mix of stuff thrown on the rails. In UK I find Primark have good-value and trendy clothes… and in the sales I get skirts there for £3 / $4.50 and tops for not much more.
As I have not come out I only shop in large stores where I fade into the mass of other shoppers, 8therwise I am too embarrassed. I love sales, my supermarket often has them and as it has self-checkouts where nobody looks at what I buy.
I also shop on ebay, but I always ask questions to get measurements – I just don’t understand why sellers don’t state waist measurements when brands vary so much. I got some nice stuff on ebay, including m&s shoes where sizing is reliable. All the clothes/shoes u see me wearing in this photo are from ebay.
Lucille so right about foundation, I bought brand on ebay ineve heard of and it was too runny and thin.
A good quality wig I’m sure is a great idea… but I just can’t figure out which style suits me after having bought 5 already and not really liking any of them.
Andrea
I remember when I started adding to my closet I found rummage an garage sales to help on the budget. I also look for clearance racks when I go to the stores which there seems to be one in the womens section at most stores …I also go to sales and look for the best deals…but now I look for what I can wear with 2 or 3 outfits instead of a day.
Love ya Amy
I have come to LOVE shopping in the United States!! Purses and shoes (in 11+ sizes and style) at bargain prices at DSW are amazing. You just can’t get anything like that here in Calgary. Same thing for clothing – I shop at Ross and TJMax mostly, and you can get good sales at Kohls. I buy next to nothing at home anymore.
I now buy my wigs online (at less than half the price of retail stores). I purchase at wigsalon.com and am looking at paulayoung.com possibly for my next one. I get my eyeglasses online at zennioptical.com.
I have now moved onto mineral makeup and buy, again on sale, at Ulta in the US.
I’ll be back in Arizona in just a few short weeks and can’t wait to renew my friendships with the girls in Tucson and Phoenix over the winter.
Your advice is spot on as usual Lucille – buy what fits and will be worn a number of times.
Happy Thanksgiving Lucille!
Wanda
About a year ago,my wife decided she did not want me as a husband any more,instead she wanted me as her girl freind.She then started me on Lucille’s flat to fem program.I started as a size”A”bra,and now I am wearing a size 42b,almost a “C”-!She likes to dress me as a woman,and go shopping and other things.I have close freinds that never even know it is me,dressed as a woman when around them-! !They think of me as a real woman.They do not known the difference.I first thought I could never be a real woman,but now I luv dressing and being thought of as living like this 24/7.
Thank you Lucille,for making me what I “Really”Luv being-!!
Luv,
Miss Pete.