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The Broke Girl’s Guide to Fashion

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

Do you have the classic ‘Broke Girl, Expensive Taste’ syndrome? Have you been coveting a certain pair of heels, but as soon as you get to that checkout page, you remember the ever shrinking numbers in your bank account? Fashion is fast, and obviously comes at a cost- one some of us might not be able to afford. Here’s how you can stay up to date with the trends and not feel so guilty about it.

Buy Basics: Every wardrobe needs a basic tee- these are great for layering and won’t break your bank! Also, you can find them at nearly every store at an affordable price.

Acne Studio White Shirt ($115) v. Forever21 Shirt ($12.90)

Ace the Accessories: An edgy, cool pair of shades can elevate your look and make any outfit look put together. One of the most popular pair of sunglasses that seemed to be on almost every other blogger or celebrity were the Dior So Real shades. Sadly, these will set you back up to $620, so here are some similar pairs for a fraction of the cost!

Dior So Real ($595-$620) v. GoJane Style Blogger Vintage Sunglasses ($7.50)

A great bag is also a quintessential accessory. It’s practical and fashionable, however most designer bags come with a not-so-practical price tag. Thankfully there are people out there that understand our broke girl needs. Here’s a list of some of the popular bags we’ve been seeing and their knockoffs.

Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag ($595) v. Forever 21 Bucket Bag ($29.90)

Celine Mini Luggage Tote (Approx $1795) v. Daily Look Mini Structure Bag ($54.99)

Step up the Shoes: A huge trend this year has been athleisure. This has lead to sneakers becoming a wardrobe staple, where the most common of all being the Adidas Superstars and the most elusive (and expensive) being the Yeezys Boost 350. Although these no longer retail, there are many replicas available online.  

Adidas Superstars ($80) v. Cloud97 Adidas Superstar Dupes ($32)

Another major shoe trend are lace up flats and heels, these are perfect for spring. A style blogger favorite are the Aquazzura lace up flats. These come in at a hefty $675, but do not fear there are plenty of places that stock up on similar ones.

Aquazzura Christy Lace-Up Flats ($675) v. Blakely Lace-Up Pointy Toe Flats ($19.98)