One of the secrets to being a Brooklyn Bitch on a Budget is the meticulous planning of maintaining your budget. This means there is little to no extra money for frivolous things like orange juice, Uniqlo shopping sprees, and Sephora lip color palattes. We do what we can to scrounge and save when it comes to fashion, whether it’s “borrowing” items from our besties for an extended period of time, repurposing retro threads from our moms and dads, or raiding our boyfriend’s closet for the latest in Annie Hall fashions.
If you’re stuck in a fashion rut with no extra money to spare, don’t pout. Chances are, there are a ton of things in your closet just begging to be put on display. Shopping your closet is an art, and should only be done when you have the time to peruse without getting frustrated (I usually end up throwing some sort of hissy fit and stealing something from my boyfriend after five minutes). Open those doors and check out those things you’re banished to fashion Siberia (unless you’re considering your Uggs, anything with pom-pom fringe, or too-tight Daisy Dukes. Those deserve a permanent time-out). We are champions of cowboy boots, tutus, and leotards (sometimes even worn at the same time).
If you’re still at a loss for a fierce new look, reconsider some of these classic Brooklyn Bitch on a Budget staples:
- The button-down shirt
Tuck it into a pair of high-waisted jeans. Leave it untucked and top with a vest. Top with a shrunken cardigan. Wrap it like a kimono and secure with a belt. Wear it open and belted. Find a longer one from the depths of your closet floor and fashion into a shirt dress- there’s no need to buy one for $60 at American Apparel. Wear it out at night over a sheer cami with a pair of black pants. Feeling like Kate Moss? Pair it with light denim jeans and a blazer. Wear a men’s shirt with black leggings and flats for the ultimate in comfy casual rockstar chic. Belt your boyfriend’s button-down over skinny jeans and boots and add some long dangly necklaces. You can even toss one on over your sparkly silver party dress with black tights and flats to tone down an otherwise fancypants ensemble.
Avoid: Tying up around your stomach a la Britney Spears’s “Hit Me Baby One More Time”. Acessorizing with a tie, a la Avril Lavigne’s “Skater Boi”.
- Colored tights
Colored tights are making a major comback in the fashion world, and it’s easy to see why. Check out any 1960s French movie and drool over the ultimate in fab French girl style: red or blue tights with lots of black black black to balance. Bright tones in red, yellow, pink and green can still look pulled together with black, navy, or grey skirts/dresses underneath. Heels and boots are the best choice for flaunting your sexy colored legs. Not feeling bold enough? You can still feel the fabulous effect if you’ve got a pair of eggplant or maroon tights laying around in your sock drawer.
Avoid: Wearing bright colors if your tights are equally vibrant. Unless you plan to join the circus- in that case, you’ll fit right in.
WARNING: Don't look down. Your colored legs will look so fierce that you may have trouble looking away. I've run into many a stranger on the street while distracted by the electric blue going on south of my miniskirt.
- The belt
If you’ve got a great belt in your arsenal, you’ll never run out of options. Cinch, sling, wrap, tie and buckle yourself into practically anything in your closet, and maintain a fabulous silhouette while doing so. Everyone from Tyra Banks to Anna Wintour to Twiggy applaud the best accessory known to the fashion world. You can belt anything, from shirt dresses to loose tunics, to button-down shirts (see above) , to trench coats, sweaters, pencil skirts, and dress pants. To give yourself an empire waist, keep it small, keep it simple, and keep it subtle. Reach for your skinny belts in a same color as your outfit. This season belts are being worn high up on the torso, but really, anything goes.
Avoid: Wearing your belt a little too low (creating the illusion of wide hips that don’t stop). Wearing three or four belt at once. And chastity belts never looked good on anyone.
- The black T-shirt
The ultimate in Rockstar-Girlfriend style, our ultimate fashion muse, Miss Kate Moss can rock a t-shirt like no other. Glam it up for a night out dancing with dark jeans and gold heels. Toss on a pair of jeans and wear a crazy bight-colored bib necklace. Tuck into a pleated skirt and add heels for an office-friendly look. Take your loosest t and tuck into pants/skirt and untuck until it resembles a blouse. Top with a leather jacket and pair with skinnies and cowboy boots. Take a pair of scissors and fashion into a v-neck (do not attempt under the influence of too much box-wine, or during The Hills season finale). Add a blazer and a ton of long necklaces. Cut off the bottom and make your own crop top. Use it to dress down an outfit, with leather leggings, peep-toe booties, and a silky glitzy cardigan or blazer. Pair with flannel shirt and heels for a laid back but fabulous weekender vibe.
- The fierce headband
Go ahead and call us Blair Waldorf. We don’t mind- in fact, we welcome the comparison. Say what you will about the teenage sex crazed tv-show. We just happen to appreciate a girl who can rock headbands decked out with feathers, sequins, fur, and stripes. Top off an otherwise blah ponytail to bring a dose of fierce to a boring look. Pull a Nicole Richie and wear a floppy band around your forehead. Rock a double band if you’ve got headbands thin enough to make it work. Tie a skinny scarf around your hair (in front of your bangs), and knot in an adorable 1950’s housewife way.
Stop pouting and get dressed already! The world is waiting!
Love, B
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