Fashion Blogs

Not all that glitters is gold - this applies aptly to the glittery lives of fashion bloggers as seen online. If she seems filthy rich on Instagram, she must be wealthy in real life too, no? That’s the thought that crosses everyone’s mind. But in truth, not all fashion bloggers get free tickets to fashion shows, PR packages, and more.

They have to struggle with staying within their budget like any other average fashionista. Or maybe, even more so. Because they have to make sure that their looks are chic enough to be uploaded to the internet. Stats show that in 2014, the average consumer unit made apparel purchases worth $1,786. Another research shows that the digits when it comes to clothing expenditure are only increasing at a healthy rate.

Go ahead and imagine the amount of money fashion bloggers must spend on clothing and accessories. That makes fashion blogging an expensive career path. However, style bloggers are not as spendthrift as they make it seem.

They have some pretty helpful money-saving tips in their arsenal which you can use as well. Here are some ways fashion bloggers save money when it comes to apparel and accessories.

 They Don’t Fall For Any Marketing Trips

A money-savvy fashion blogger doesn’t fall for the glamour. You see, stores are designed in a way to appeal to the consumer and make him spend. The bright lights, loud music, vast choice and seemingly amazing deals hypnotize you to make a purchase.

Often, we also spend on clothing that we don’t need or even like only because buying it seemed like the right choice in the moment. Here’s how a fashion blogger doesn’t do that:

• She makes purchases online and often, from the sale section. 
• She makes use of coupons to get discounts on apparel due to which she gets the advantage of free shipping too.
• She adds items to her cart and then leaves for more than a week. If she still feels like buying them after a few weeks, only then does she go ahead.
• She subscribes to newsletters of her preferred brands to get exclusive offers.
• She compares prices. Price match services are provided by several websites such as Style Lounge and Price Runner.

They Sell And Swap

Fashion bloggers ensure that nothing goes to waste. That said, did you know that the average family tosses out 65 pounds of clothing on a yearly basis? Better than throwing it out in the bin is to resell items. You’ll be able to make money out of it.

Brittany Grace, who is a blogger and a contributor at Zanita Studios gives a better tip. She says that if laziness keeps you from reselling, donate your apparel. That can bring you a tax-break. Tax return slips can be collected from most second-hand stores before leaving.

Other than reselling or donating, fashion bloggers also participate in swaps. This is why it is essential to network with the blogger community if you are one. You and a fellow blogger or a friend can exchange clothing pieces occasionally. Even if you are not a fashion blogger, swapping with close friends can come in handy.

They Buy From Thrift Stores And Go For Second-Hand Clothing

Bloggers don’t shy away from purchasing pre-owned apparel. They also don’t mind heading to thrift stores every now and then. This way, they buy more for less. One style tip that you can follow is wearing one expensive piece among other cheap ones.

Also, use apps for buying second-hand clothes. “My all-time favorite way to stay fashionable without breaking my budget is with used clothing apps. It’s like a giant, organized, online Goodwill where you can search for exactly what you want,” says Kali Hawlk, who is a money expert in Boston.

Poshmark, eBay, Tradesy are some apps you can try out.

They Rummage Through Their Closets

So many of us have closets full of clothes yet we complain that we are short on clothing. Before going out for a shopping session, search through your cupboard to see what you can use. You will be able to find several pieces worth your attention and an Insta-grab.

Here are some ways a smart fashion blogger makes the most of her already-existing wardrobe:

• She regularly does her laundry so that her clothes are always ready for a snap if need be.
• She finds old clothing items and sees how she can incorporate them with some new pieces.
• She rushes to the tailor to get torn pieces stitched back. She adds new elements to breathe life into the hardware of her clothes. For example, she gets new buttons for an old jacket.
• She keeps her closet organized because she knows how items can get lost among each other.
• She also uses the clothes that she has not worn for a long time.
• She mixes and matches clothing items to make them into an entirely new outfit.

They Shop Off-Season

When you shop for summer pieces in winters, you’re bound to save more. That’s because the demand for summer clothing is down at that time of the year and so are the prices. In the same way, you can go for winter shopping in summers.

They Enroll In Reward Programs

Fashion bloggers can already go for affiliate marketing by partnering up with brands they like. But that’s something that a common person who doesn’t belong to the blogging or influencer field cannot do. One thing they do that you can do as well is become members of reward programs. This way, you can gain points on shopping and save a lot if you are a regular customer. Exclusive offers are also given to members.

Verdict

Contrary to popular belief, fashion bloggers don’t splurge on apparel shopping. At least not as much as most think they do. They just have some smart spending habits. If you want to shop smart, purchase items when they are off-season, use as many ways to get discounts as you can, sell old clothes or swap them for new ones. You can also make the most of what you already have. This way’s  you will be able to save a lot on clothing.