Customer Reviews

How to Be a Budget Fashionista: The Ultimate Guide to Looking Fabulous for Less

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This book is a wonderful guide on how to dress for success without taking out a second mortgage. Tips are given for everything from cheaper skin care to mixing high end and budget items. The listing of websites to visit are worth way more than the price of the book itself.

True, there are some subjects that are useless to me because of where I live, such as Sample Sales. And in my area of the country, I could dress from head to in Prada, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana carrying a $7000 Louis Vuitton handbag, and everyone would assume that I went on a shopping spree at Sears. The fine points of Couture is not very well known in small agricultural communtities. However, the discussions on quality of clothing, developing your own style, and especially what to splurge on and what to go "budget" on are great for anyone, no matter where they are.

The basic top ten articles of clothing are a good guideline for wardrobe building and her tips on shopping are priceless.

Because of this book, I now visit her website EVERYDAY to see what's new, where the sales are, and who has special offers going on.

As a harried, occassionly overstressed working mother of 3, reading this book has also helped my presentation of myself and my self confidence. After reading this, I realized that I do not have to look as frantic and stressed as I am. I work in a very casual workplace, but I no longer show up to work in a t-shirt and a baseball cap with no make up (well maybe only once a week now, instead of everyday). I have begun getting my hiney out of bed, fixing my hair, putting on full make up and jewelry and almost strutting into the office every morning. This in turn has helped my self confidence, which has helped my performance (which was pretty good to begin with), and guess who got Employee of the month for July?! Also after trying to make myself look good with clothes and make up, I've been inspired to begin the exercise routine my husband has been trying to get me to do for 3 years. I feel better and have more energy after only 2 weeks.

Now, I'm not saying that this book will change your life or anything, but for some people like me, it just might inspire you to try new things, which will then snowball into great things.

This is the most realistic book on how to shop on a budget and I have read many of them. Not only am I a fan of the Budget Fashionista's website, I take all of her tips in this book to heart. Not only does she show you how you can (and should budget for your purchases) she hands out best beauty buys, as well as give you other websites you should be privy to. I'm going to purchase a couple of books to give to friends for xmas gifts! (with my Barnes & Noble discount .. Sorry Amazon! ) :)

I was pleasantly impressed with "How to be a Budget Fashionista." While I am not a "fashionista" (being "d'un certain age") I do like to make sure I look my best when I am out in public. I do a lot of public speaking and "meet and greet." So pointers on shopping and flattering fashions and makeup are welcome to this older gal. Plus, I don't like spending huge amounts of my take-home pay on work clothes.

The book covers shopping, the where and how, in compact detail. The recommendations on some of the outlet malls seems to be correct from the experiences I've had there. And the advice on how to dress when doing battle-shopping is priceless. (Hint; going to a discount shop that has a public dressing room or no dressing room at all? No need to strip off in public --unless you are Britney Spears that is. Just wear form-fitting clothes like a yoga outfit and try on your finds over them.)

There is advice on combing thrift shops and consigment shops for really expensive finds at a fraction of their cost. While I am not a fan of pre-owned clothes, I know that for someone on a miniscule budget, this can be a real blessing. The author tells you, the bargain hunter, what to avoid (musty or dank underarm smells? No no no. Bleach stain or other non-fixable ding in an otherwise cute outfit? If it's something you can sew an ornament over like a beaded patch or embroidery, then go for it.) The book tells you how to treat the STAFF at consignment and thrift stores (like royalty) so they are induced to do some pre-shopping for you and call you when choice items show up at the store. There are hints as well on sample sales (not for everyone.)

But this book isn't just on salvage and rescue operations. It also covers how to put together a reasonably fashionable working wardrobe for a professional on less than you might spend on two or three items. It covers the best shoe stores both brick-and-mortar and online and it covers how to shop for a good handbag and WHY you DON'T want a knock-off from street vendors or certain online auction sites (counterfeiting is illegal and you are encouraging that kind of theft. And EVERYONE will know anyway.)

For a relatively compact volume, "How to be a Budget Fashionista" covers a lot of ground with real-life examples of students taking $600 dollars (not a lot anymore for a full wardrobe) and getting fabulous for interviews and work. If you are entering the workforce, updating your look, going pro, whatever your reason to need to look fabulous on next to nothing, the first thing to put on your credit card is this book. I mean it.

So, I'm not really a "fashionista"...I just wanted to dress better and spend less money doing it. I don't follow fashion, didn't know any designers, and usually stick with jeans. Still, I really enjoyed the book, learned a lot, and can honestly say I'm dressing in a more fasionable way. I still don't read Vogue, but i do check her website.

I just read this book, and I have to say, I've found my shopping soulmate! As a professional shopper who's shopping motto is "Don't buy it unless it's at least 90% off retail," I didn't expect to learn much from this book. After all, for the last 7 years, I've traveled the country in search of bargains to pass on to my ebay customers. I often hear salesclerks gasp in amazement as I buy a large bag full of designer items for under $100.
But this book goes way beyond the basics. Written in a straightforward, upbeat style that's fun to read, it covers the full spectrum of tips and tricks for buying a designer wardrobe for less.
My copy is now thoroughly dog-eared and underlined, and I'm ready to take my shopping to the next level. The Budget Fashionista offers amazing tips for scoring the best deals at outlets, online, at consignment shops and even at department stores. I love how she's so specific about when, where, and how to score the best deals. I learned about some new sources I hadn't considered, like DSW Shoe Warehouse, Loehmanns online, and sample sales.
The Personal Style quiz was a great tool for analyzing what I already have that I love, helping me focus on the pieces that really build my wardrobe. In the style of the "Look For Less" tv show, she even explains in detail how she helped a friend buy a full professional wardrobe for under $600. This book is so inspiring and fun to read, and I recommend it for anyone, from a novice to a professional, that wants to buy more great clothes for less money.

This is an excellent manual on how to look your best without blowing a lot of money. Even if you consider yourself to be an expert budget shopper, as I do, you will find excellent tips and things you never thought/heard of before. Finney's writing style is fun and witty. I appreciate that she has been in credit debt from shopping--she never talks down to the reader or makes you feel as if you're frivolous for wanting to shop/look good. The book is full of money saving ideas as knowing your personal style (I can now identify things that I love but will NEVER wear), when to shop sales, and how to take care of the stuff you already have. Her lists of quick dressy outfits and quick casual outfits are now hanging in my closet. I also love that her thrifty ideas extend beyond clothes to beauty tips and ways to icrease your income. This book is great for anyone who loves shopping and isn't afraid to admit it--but who also wants to be able to afford groceries. To quote the author, "Being broke ain't cute."

I suffer from a thyroid disorder and therefore a weight that can fluctuate dramatically throughout the course of a year. I am in one of those awkward times now, where nothing in my closet fits, and so I needed some new clothes. Not having a lot of money to spend, I happened across Kathryn's blog, and subsequently bought her book.

Her book has been an amazing help to me. I discovered that my closet is not functional (which I already had guessed) and learned how to take better care of the clothes I do have. What really amazed me, however, was the deals I scored this past weekend, on my first major shopping trip since discovering TBF.

Using Kathryn's blog in connection with her shopping tips, I have learned that this time is good to shop because it is "change of seasons" between summer and fall fashions. Kathryn attended Fashion Week recently, and on her blog was able to relay to her readers what styles will be the trends for Spring 2007. Knowing I have several weddings and related events (including my own!) in the spring, I was able to locate a lovely dress at a local outlet mall. This dress is in a color that will be fashionable in the spring, and the chiffon skirt is in keeping with next spring's trends. I found the dress on the clearance rack of this store, and its retail price was $250. Because it was a spring dress on clearance, I paid a budget-smart $15 for it. $15 for a dress that will be trendy, flatters my body, and will get several wears.

In summary, I am a huge believer in Kathryn and a rabid fan of The Budget Fashonista book and website. If you're willing and able to hunt down deals like this, you will be extremely pleased with this book.

I have been reading Kathryn for years on her blog The Budget Fashionista and let me tell you my wardrobe owes so much to her advice.

Just yesterday as I walked out of my apartment building (I live in trendy Soho in NYC so these girls know their stuff) I was told I was wearing a beautiful dress. That dress I found after carefully applying Kathryn's tips at Filene's basement. The cost? $20!

The book is just chock full of time and money savers. I also really appreciated the interviews with fashion and beauty professionals. Elke Von Freudenbeg's discount beauty tips were spot on. Though I must admit I have a bias because I read Elke's blog too.

Your wardrobe will be better for buying this book. I promise!

In the world of retail, it's every woman for herself. As we navigate the sales racks, fight over the last half-priced Manolo's in a size 6, and fend off overeager sample sale newbies, we develop a sense of challenge which we use to ensure that we walk-away with the items we were craving. However, when it comes to budgeting, every girl - or woman - can relate to one another. Finding the means to purchase not only those fabulous GUESS? black super-skinny jeans, but also the strappy Steve Madden pumps is a difficult task that can take hours to balance. Which is why Kathryn Finney's HOW TO BE A BUDGET FASHIONISTA is a handy guide that any clothes-horse must read from cover-to-cover, and keep close at hand, for it instructs people of all ages how to snag the essentials, and leave the less-needed over-priced goodies in the dust. Featuring three amazing sections - Know Your Budget, Know Your Style, Know Your Bargains - Finney takes you on a walk through the realm of retail, giving you essential tips that will help you budget your cash, and your time wisely, so that you walk-away with the swag that will satisfy you the most. Whether you're a broke college student, or a middle-aged mother looking to get the best for her buck, Finney manages to provide helpful tips that suit everyone. The perfect accessory to complement any outfit!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Otherwise, forget it. I picked up this book as a poor college student trying desperately not to look like a shapeless sack slumping across campus in Dumpster Chic. There are some great pieces of advice in here, some fabulous style, and stunning pictures. All in all it is a wonderful book of fashion. It is NOT a book for anyone even remotely budget-minded. This woman thinks a $90 skirt is a great bargain. For those of us who make a daily decision to buy a bagel or a newspaper to go with our morning coffee, but can't afford both, this book is laughable. People who think that paying $50 for a single item of clothing is scandalously cheap need to experience what it's like to REALLY be on a budget, not this "woe is me, I have only $1500 to spend on my entire summer wardrobe" garbage. $1500 pays my rent and allows me to eat for the summer -- which is really more important than buying a discount designer bag. I guess I just don't have my priorities in order, or I'd be living in the gutters eating out of the dumpsters, but looking fabulous doing it, and carefully stowing away those half-eaten bagels I find in the trash in the pockets of my $800 Prada suit jacket. I really enjoy the comforts of sleeping in a bed, so my search continues for a REAL budget-conscious style guide for women whose idea of cheap is $20 rather than $200.