Men's Fauxshion!

This one's for the dudes!  

My friend Adam requested my help in shopping the latest sale at Express. He was looking for some pieces to update his fall wardrobe (um, those are my words...not his...) and I was happy to oblige.

Started off with some new jeans that are a subtle throw

back to the acid wash days. See the fading and the pocket pattern?

I also forced him into this crisp military styled shirt to demonstrate fall's passion for American heroes. 

It looked great but unfortunately it wasn't on sale. However, the coupons Adam got for next time could more than cover the difference!

Finally, he selected a classic look for work or a date.  A clean black v-neck sweater over a fine striped gray dress shirt.

At the end of the trip Adam walked away with jeans, two dress shirts, a polo, a fitted tee, and a sweater for $130 total! 

Oh and, he's single, ladies...

More Savings for More Clothes - Grocery Edition

If you recall, I recently did a post about cutting expenses to save for a nice pair of jeans. Part of that post advised you to start making your own lunches. However, I know that many of you out there lack a mastery of the grocery store. One must proceed with caution into said stores or it becomes very easy to overspend and thus negate your clothing savings efforts.

A few tips for those of you that are starting to B.Y.O.Lunches:

-Make a list. Inventory your fridge and pantry and decide what you need to add. Write it down.
-Sign up for store emails. Just like retail stores, grocery stores have promotions too. Jewel Osco (or Albertsons, depending on where you live) has their weekly ad online. You can drag and drop the items you want onto a virtual shopping list and print it out to bring with you.
-Coupons. You might feel like an old lady clipping coups, but they are your ticket to more clothes! I once saved $15 with coupons in a single trip.
-Preferred cards, Fresh Value cards, etc. Store savings clubs are KEY. They're free and save you major dough.
-Don't discount generics. Did you know that most generics are the same products as brand-name but with a different labels? Ryan Seacrest isn't going to ask who made your soup at the lunch table. ("It's Campbell's!")
-Think outside grocery stores. I rely on Target for condiments like salad dressing and pasta sauce. They tend to be about $2 cheaper there. Crackers and cereal are more affordable too. I also buy my produce from a local veggie wholesaler in Chicago. I normally walk out with a full bag of goodies for around $4.

Okay so I guess I should make this post a little more about fauxshion... I've found that my local Jewel is a great place to test out new outfits. You wouldn't believe how many people will notice and comment!
Happy (grocery) shopping!

Want even more budget friendly advice? Hop over to mscareergirl.com for her "Don't Go Over in October" challenge!

Neon for Fall

Seems like everybody has gone neon these days. Designers across the board from Michael Kors to Marc Jacobs are blinding their customers with fabrics so bright, you'll need shades to wear 'em.

Don't revert back to the 80's on me though - these neons are classy.  This is an opportunity to take a little out of the 

piggy bank for a slick pop that'll last until spring.  

Pair with black for a polished look.  Here's a BCBG top I picked up on sale for $80 at Macy's - had been $160! The details are amazing.  Worth every penny.

Austin Power

Hey Ya'll!  Texas isn't just about cowboy boots and 10 gallon hats. In fact, Austin Texas boasts some of the best shopping I've seen in quite a while.  

If you're in the market for a long weekend getaway, get on the 2.5 hour flight to Austin and head to South Congress Avenue - a fauxshion paradise! 

My finds - all under $30 a pop:

Clockwise from left:  feather headband ($26), TaraToTheT at Hovercraft; retro shades ($10) at New Bohemia; peacock necklace ($24) at Y&I Clothing Boutique; gold ring ($15), House of Harlow at Y&I Clothing Boutique; gold fish scales belt ($15) at New Bohemia. Background: sequin cropped jacket ($19), vintage at Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds.

Suggestions? Questions? Fauxshionable wants to know!

Hi everyone! If you have topic suggestions or questions - send them my way.

You can:
- email me at fauxshionable@gmail.com
- leave a comment on my Facebook page
- send me a tweet on Twitter! http://twitter.com/fauxshionable

I look forward to getting your feedback.

Tootles!

Mellow Yellow

Looking for a pair of make-a-statement shoes but don't have the dough? I got these Nine West shoes at DSW for under $50.

Oh la la lemon!

DSW gets new stuff every week, so check them out often. I always hit the clearance first for even better discounts. Did I also mention their amazing website?


DSW offers a rewards program that pays you back for being a loyal shopper. Sign up here!

No Faux Jeans

Sometimes even the most thrifty of fauxshionable people needs to splurge. What to splurge on, you ask? Jeans!

Cheap jeans always seem to wear out after about a year. So if you're going to have to replace a $50 pair of jeans each year, you might as well buy one pair that cost $150 and lasts multiple years. I recently budgeted some money from each paycheck and bought a pair of Prvcy boyfriend jeans that I am in love with. I can tell you - the price difference was obvious. From the detailed hardware to the immaculate stitching to the pocket lining, these jeans are worth it.

Let me go back to the statement I made about budgeting. My suggestion is to commit yourself to buying a good pair of jeans in 3 months. How, you say? Begin by looking at your weekly expenses and finding ways to cut back.

Cut out the expensive java. I bet your workplace has some Maxwell House you can choke down faux FREE! At around $3 a beverage each day, you'll save $180 in 3 months.

Make your own lunch. Bring a sandwich and an apple for lunch. A Subway meal costs around $5.50 each day. A loaf of bread for $3.50, lunch meat for $4 and a bag of apples for $7 will last you the whole week or more. That's $330 versus $174 in 3 months for a savings of $156.

Keep a tally of your drink expense next time you go out. Mixed drinks in the city cost anywhere from $5 to $10 a piece and up. 3 of them in a night, 2 nights a week = $120 - $240 in 3 months. Scale back to 1 or 2 at a bar and maybe try and plan a night in each weekend with friends.

(BONUS: All of my suggestions also have the potential to cut calories. You might be buying a smaller size by the time you get to 3 months.)

Now you're ready to shop! Enjoy it!

If you try the plan, email me and let me know how it goes: fauxshionable@gmail.com

Like my jeans? I got them from Chicago Chic - chicagochicllc@gmail.com

I Now Pronounce You Fauxshionable

Wedding fauxshion! A guest at a recent wedding wears chic brights for under $100 - $91.59, to be exact.












Dress ($27.80) and earrings ($4.80) Forever 21; Shoes ($39.99) Nine West at DSW; Purse ($19.00) Clearance, circa 2006, at Banana Republic

Foe-shun-able

If you've never seen the word fauxshionable before, it's probably because I just invented it.

You already know it implies fashion free from debt - but what else does it mean?
Fauxshionable is:

- A unique perspective on attire

- Living within your means but dressing above them

- Only looking like you paid a lot

- Confidence

With each post I will show you how to wear the latest trends, purchase investment pieces, and how to put together outfits for any occasion - all on a budget. Bonus: you'll get some free financial advice too.

It is my passion to help every woman look her best and stand out in a crowd but to also have financial stability. I promise you, it can be done. Just follow me....

To actually follow me, click on the "follow" button on the sidebar