Cheap Chica’s New Guide to Frugal Fashion

We’re so excited! One of our fave frugal fashionistas — Lilliana Vazquez – has written her first book! The Cheap Chica’s Guide to Style: Secrets to Shopping Cheap and Looking Chic features the best of her brilliant blog and it’s the first time we can recall a fashion book that shows us how to style ourselves like an expert and save money in the process! Who doesn’t love that?

Lilliana told us she has been in love with fashion since she was a child. “I get it from my grandmother. To this day, at 87, she doesn’t leave the house unless she’s really put together.”

Like many of us, Lilliana’s budget just didn’t live up to her high-end fashion tastes. So she learned to scour the racks at TJ Maxx and Marshalls and to check her Salemail religiously to recreate the looks she coveted for a lot less. (Her last big score was a pair of Loeffler Randall boots at 40 percent off.)

An avid reader of both fashion and budget blogs, Lilliana felt that none offered advice on how to look chic on a budget. “The style blogs featured pricey clothing, while the clothes on budget blogs looked cheap.”

So, she created her own blog to offer other budget-challenged fashionistas ideas for “dressing chic for less.” The blog established Lilliana as a style expert and opened the door for frequent guest spots on shows like* Today, Rachael Ray *and Katie. It’s also the basis of her new book, which goes on sale Nov. 5.  It can be pre-ordered on Amazon.

In the meantime, we asked Lilliana to share her advice for chic, but cheap, holiday dressing:

• For casual events, she suggests purchasing an embellished or lace blouse and wearing it with a dark skinny jean. Repurpose your metallic sandals from the summer and you have a look that’s totally luxe for less!
• Even formal events don’t have to break the bank. One little black dress can be transformed into different looks just by adding a statement necklace (layer two smaller necklaces for a cheap but chic alternative) or fabulous earrings. And don’t forget about a bold lip – it’s one step to glam!

As for holiday gift giving on a budget, go with items for the home that aren’t seasonal – like simple white candles or a collection of mini-vases. She’s also a fan of DIY: a nice bottle of wine can be packaged beautifully.