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Style

How to Step Up Your Outfit Without Breaking the Bank

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at BU chapter.

Being a college student can make it challenging to have the money to buy the clothes you want, especially as trends come and go. I definitely don’t have the ability to fund my dream closet right now, but I have been picking up certain ways to step up my fashion without spending a lot. As I’ve discovered what I like to wear, there have been some common pieces that always pull my outfit together. So, here are some suggestions as to how to upgrade your look without breaking the bank. 

Buy some colorful earrings.

These are my absolutely favorite statement pieces, as you can pair earrings with any outfit you want and make it look stylish. Plus, you can get as creative as you want with them. I’ve been buying a lot of colorful, unique earrings that will amp up even my most plain of outfits, and I definitely recommend getting at least one pair of earrings that stand out. My favorite earring business currently is allbylauren.com, a Harry Styles-inspired small business run by a college student in Seattle!

Invest in some unique shoes.

This one is a bit more tricky, because shoes tend to be on the more expensive side. But if you buy one or two unique pairs that match with multiple types of outfits, you’re set! I recommend owning at least one pair of sneakers and one pair of boots, even if they are just plain white sneakers and Doc Martens. But, if you want to spice up your outfit with shoes, try getting out of your comfort zone and getting a unique color, like tans, reds, or greys.

Try a new hair style.

Everyone has different hair types, so I won’t recommend any specific styles to do. However if you’re a bit tired of your usual ‘do, spice it up with a new style or even some accessories! Recently, my go-to has been half-up half-down, with a cute clip to hold it back. I recommend the cheap ones at Target, or any other name-brand store. Or, buy a few colorful barrettes to pin some hair back. If you want to show off a cute pair of earrings, try pinning your hair up with a banana clip.

While these definitely may not be for everyone, it’s what I’ve learned works best for me over the past year as I struggled to upgrade my look without having the money. Happy styling!

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Caitlynn Tibbetts is a freshman at Boston University, planning to major in Finance and Global Business. She has been published in the Florida English Journal and Parkland Speaks. Coming from South Florida, she’s excited to join and explore the city of Boston and everything it has to offer.
Writers of the Boston University chapter of Her Campus.