Style Budget Special Week - Day 3 Thrifty ways

Money, Money, Money, this has been the epicentre of everything of late. Who has it, who owes what and how to reduce debt. Or whose hiding what in their Swiss Bank Account. Even in fashion money has driven the style status looks.

There was a time when magazines devoted a great deal of editorial to helping young women and women manage their budgets. A great place to dive into this archive of a different style of magazine is at The Women's Library

In fact today blogs have taken up the role of the help women's magazines used to give. It is the blogosphere that provides useful tips, motivation and advice for all budgets. Within the fashion blogging world there are a multitude of bloggers who ignore the trappings of luxury marketing.

I've selected some who offer an alternative way to luxury and mainstream fashion. I find them inspiring because money is not the main driver. Their style is predicated on personal values and their love of certain clothes.

First up is Vintage Vixen and this blog probably needs no introduction.


Why I love Vix and her posts is the variety of outfits and the snippets of her live. Who couldn't not love Gilbert. I once thought I saw Gilbert on the M4! Vix is resourceful, generous and lives her life as she pleases. The creativity employed in her home is also a joy. Vix is a clear example of using alternative means to live a comfortable life. She inspires me to think less of labels and more of what I truly love and find pleasure in.

Oranges and Apples is a fabulous example of the Etsy generation (is that a dreadful phase to coin? I mean well).
Not only does Franca work her magic with her knitting needles (I have a wonderful hat that kept my head warm last winter) but her husband to be is a whizz on the sewing machine. How cool is that. Oranges and Apples is a feast of colour and fun finds. Again resourcefulness is at the fore.

The next blog to enjoy is of the uber thrifty kind. Sharon Rose is the blogger de jour of charity shop finds at MyStyle - Thrifting, Fashion, Me...


If it is in Net-A-Porter, Sharon Rose will find it at her local Sue Ryder! She seeks and she finds. Not only that but Sharon Rose paid off all her debts by sticking to a budget and only buying clothes from car boot sales and charity shops.

A recent blog that has captured my imagination is Calamity Jem's Vintage Vauderville. Again it is the resourcefulness and endeavours to rework items, recycle and re create new looks with old things.

What these blogs have in common is a spirit of sharing, sharing ideas, approaches and all without guile. Their enthusiasm for second hand items translates into smart choices and good ideas.

Do you have blogs that motivate you in respect of wiser choices and ways to make your money go further particularly when it comes to fashion and style?