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When it comes fashion and how to dress, what not to wear, and what accessories are in for the season, most people tend to turn their eyes to the fashion runways to see what duds the models are sporting and to the red carpets of Hollywood to catch a glimpse of what the stars are wearing. While the money flow for actors and actresses seems to be endless and lets not forget how many designers literally give them free clothes in hopes that they well wear it and influence other individuals such as yourself, the reality is that the average individual's budget is pretty tight. I mean there are bills, car payments, rent, mortgage, and other miscellaneous expenses such as gas and groceries, so how can an individual look like a star while shelling out a minimal amount of dough? When it comes to getting designer duds, is it possible to do so without breaking the bank? Here are a few tips to help you dress like a star, yet not break the bank.

Don't be intimidated to shop the sales racks.
We all know that the sales racks always have some good deals; however, if you have ever shopped a sale and have attempted to sort through the racks then you know better than anyone that they are usually unorganized. It is without question that if you are expecting to find a good deal, you better be prepared to spend some time searching for it. While there is definitely a lot of junk on the racks, there are also some good finds that can be discovered if given the time and effort.

If there is a consignment store in your area, check it out.
I don't know why people have hang ups about going to consignment stores but for some reason they aren't the first choice for most people when it comes to going there to search for a discount. Many times consignment stores will get brand new items that get sent there due to being defective or perhaps the items are just simply overstock. Consignment stores are a good place to go to for basically all fashion necessities including shoes, handbags, blouses, dresses, jeans, pants, and accessories. Make note: most of the items that are classified as defective aren't defective in the physical sense. The item just fell short of the manufacturers standards and therefore they classified it as defective.

Shop at discount stores like Ross, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx
When it comes to getting designer deals for a bargain, it is literally impossible to walk out of Ross, Marshalls, or TJ Maxx without finding a bargain. These stores usually get overstock and in some cases defective items, which aren't physically defective but rather, fell short of meeting the standards of the manufacturers. These stores always carry designer brands including Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Guess, Roxy, Express, and may others. These stores also usually carry just about everything including purses, shoes, men, women, and children's clothes, household items such as furniture and linens, and accessories. While it is likely that you will find a good deal, be prepared to look for it. The result will be well worth the effort.

Like the vintage look? Try the thrift store.
If the vintage look is what makes your style, then a thrift store is a good place to find fashionable finds at a fraction of the cost. Thrift stores carry everything from designer brands to discount store goods and the conditions of these items may vary, although in most cases, they are in fairly good condition. Once again, be prepared to search through the racks in order to find the goods. Also, thrift stores vary depending on the area that you are in. If you go to a rather wealthy area, then you will probably find more designer clothes but be aware that those thrift stores will inevitably be more expensive than the other ones. If you opt to go to a thrift store in a not so wealthy area, then expect to spend less and possibly not find as many designer clothes as you would at the wealthier ones. Thrift stores carry a vast array of items including men, women's and children's clothing, shoes, furniture, household utensils, books, appliances, purses, and accessories. Once again, be prepared to spend some time searching through the racks and if the thrift store has dressing rooms, don't hesitate to try the potential items out.

Don't be afraid to look for accessories at garage sales.
When it comes to finding accessories, garage sales are great places to score cheap items and you can always get a deal because in many cases the individual having the sale just wants to get rid of the items. Power to the buyer! If you would like to search for other items such as clothes, shoes, and handbags, you can also find them at garage sales; however, in my opinion most of those items usually aren't in that great of condition. You can find out who is having a garage sale by picking up the Saturday morning paper and searching for the section that advertises local garage sales. Be aware that there are people who are fixated on searching through garage sales so if you want to go at the most optimum time, be prepared to get up early and join the other garage sale fanatics. Also, garage sales vary depending on the area so if you head over to a wealthier area, it is possible that you will find nicer items. Just be prepared to shell out a little bit more money.

Always make a point to look through Sunday's sales ads.
If you always make it a point to pick up a Sunday newspaper, you will always be "in the know" about the majority of department store sales. In addition, they usually advertise their trendier sales items along with special coupons that are only available in Sunday's ads. You can also find other coupons that will help you to save on a variety of other items including groceries, toiletries, and other household items. There is only one downside. Since you will be in the know about all the sales, it might make you shop a bit more so just remember to keep yourself in check.

Keep an eye out for department store sales.
Most people take notice about which department stores are having which sales; however, they don't take into consideration that if one store is having a sale then it is likely that its rival store is also having a similar sale. For example, if Dillard's is having closeout sales on their accessories, then it is likely that JCPenney's is also having a similar sale. The market thrives on competition and it is without a doubt, competition is what keeps it a buyers market.

Shop for shoes at discount shoe stores.
Women love shoes, right? Right. So it is no surprise that wherever you look, there are discount shoe stores galore. Many people are intimidated to shop at these discount shoe stores and may be under the impression that shoes at these stores aren't only not worth much money (hence the price) but are also poorly made. While it is true that different designers have different quality shoes, you can find some decent shoes at the discount shoe stores. In some cases, they may not have as comfortable of a sole as the more expensive brand; however, there is an easy fix for that. All you need to do is visit your local Walmart, Target, or Kmart and pick up some of Dr. Scholl's gel inserts. These are a cheap fix that will give your shoes a much cushier feel. Heck if you even have more expensive shoes that don't have much sole support, you can use these in them as well.


With these eight tips, you are on your way to looking like a star in those designer duds, yet not breaking the bank. Remember, when it comes to fashion it is a state of mind fused together with your own personal flair. Have fun shopping!