How to Dress Fashionably on a Tight Budget

Do you want to look fashionable but you have no money? Not to worry. It's not only the rich who can wear fancy clothes and trendy accessories these days. These fantastic trips and tricks will help you dress like a million bucks even if you are living on a tight budget.

• Did you know you can rent a designer bag? Yes, you can. And Avelle (the new Bag, Borrow or Seal) is the place to do that. Even celebrities rent clothes, jewelry and bags, so what's the shame in that? It costs a lot less to rent a designer bag than to buy one. Plus, nobody will know unless you tell them.

• Have you heard of flash sites? You can get designer clothes, shoes and accessories at a fraction of retail price on flash sites. In fact, on some of them you can get up to 80% off. Isn't that just incredible? Gilt Groupe, Haute Look and ideeli are some of the best flash sites to buy designer clothes on heavy discounts. But you have to be always alert because sales are announced at short notice and last a very short time.

• Have you ever been to a thrift shop? If not, then it's time you started. Sometimes, you can get some really good bargains on some really good used products there. Many rich fashionable people dump their barely used designer clothes, shoes and fashion accessories at thrift shops. Even if you happen to run into the original owner, you won't have to worry because he/she won't recognize it.

• Are you a smart shopper? If not, then learn to be one. Do a research of the best deals available and go for them. Plan ahead and buy out of season products to get heavy discounts. For example, buy winter clothes in summer and put them neatly stacked away for use later. Sign up for email alerts from department stores and websites such as Shot It To Me. Know the budget retail stores such as H&M, Target and Kohl's.

• Do you know how to fake it? If you can't afford to buy real jewelry, so what? Buy fashion jewelry. There is nothing wrong with them. Synthetic stones look as good as real diamonds and other precious stones, and if you don't tell anyone, most people will never know. And if you lose them, you know that they are just inexpensive fakes.