Introducing BGG Street Style

We love the runways just as much as the next fashion-obsessed gal, but it's the outfits that "real" girls put together -- and actually wear -- that get our creative juices flowing. We could spend hours perusing street style blogs, and, in fact, we do.  To make the best use of this time, we've created a Tumblr account dedicated to our favorite street style finds from around the web. Being that we're Broke Girl's Guide, we've also included advice on how to get each look...for less, of course. 

In honor of our newest endeavor, we talked to three up-and-coming fashion bloggers who've proven that being broke doesn’t mean skimping on style. From Etsy to eBay, we got these style-savvy ladies from around the world to spill their fashion secrets exclusively to Broke Girl's Guide. 

Hannah, 18 - Manchester, England

Blog: http://hannahlouisef.blogspot.com/ 

BGG: How do you keep up with the latest trends on a budget?

Hannah: For the latest trends, High Street stores are definitely the way forward! In the UK, cheap stores like Primark are getting better and better at producing things which are on trend right at the start of the season, plus there are favourites like Topshop and H&M. When shopping online, sites like asos.com and missguided.co.uk are also great for finding bargains!

BGG: Where else do you shop?
Hannah: Definitely eBay! Vintage and charity shops are a must.

BGG: What items are worth a splurge?
Hannah: A good pair of shoes, a quality wardrobe staple, or a quality winter coat that will last you for years.

BGG: What is your must-have trend for 2012?
Hannah: For the upcoming Spring/Summer it's definitely the neon, metallic, and nude colours.  Also, loud prints, or 'baroque' style prints, for example. 

BGG: What are your future aspirations -- in fashion and beyond?
Hannah: Fashion-wise, I'd love for my blog readship to grow even more.  Beyond that, I'm hoping to go to university in September to study law.

Courtney, 24 - Los Angeles, California

Blog: http://abevyof.blogspot.com/

BGG: How do you keep up with the latest trends on a budget?
Courtney: I go to the Salvation Army and Goodwill a lot, and I do a lot of vintage shopping as well.  If I find something at the thrift store, say a dress that's too long, I'll hem it so it looks more modern.  Oh, and if I'm ever buying something online I will search and search until I find discount codes to put toward the price. 

BGG: Where else do you like to shop?
Courtney: Any thrift store, but especially the two Salvation Army's by my parents' house back in Michigan.  I also love the sale racks at Urban Outfitters.

BGG: What items are worth a splurge?
Courtney: Anything that makes you go "I have to have that!".  Recently, I splurged on some velvet floral platform heels.  I also like splurging on jewelry at thrift stores.  I don't necessarily splurge by spending a lot of money, but I definitely splurge by buying a lot at once because of how inexpensive it is!

BGG: What is your must-have trend for 2012?
Courtney: Right now it's tie-dye, but more specific tie-bleached stuff.  The other week I bought 5 shirts from Goodwill and bleached them all.  I'm addicted!

BGG: What are your future aspirations -- in fashion and beyond?
Courtney: I really just want to be a well-known fashion blogger.  I would like to go to NYFW, I would like to mix my career as a Graphic Designer with my love of fashion, I would like to move back to Michigan and kick-start their fashion movement and improve their D(etroit)FW, and I would like to create and operate my own outfit-posting-website

Emilija, 15 - Brussels, Belgium

Blog: http://www.fashionwhit.com/

BGG: How do you keep up with the latest trends on a budget?
Emilija: Thrift stores! Trends often come back into fashion from an older period of time, so it's really easy to find some nice vintage garments in thrift stores for less than 10 euros. I'm not a spender, but I love getting new clothes, so this is the easiest way to go for me. Of course, I also shop at H&M, Zara, and Forever21, but I much prefer thrift/vintage shops.

BGG: Where else do you like to shop?
Emilija: I live in a city where it's hard to find good stores that are budget-friendly, so I only have a couple of favorites -- Fox Hole, Retro Paradise, Look 50, and Episode. They have the greatest shoes and amazing vintage sweaters!

BGG: What items are worth a splurge?
Emilija: Um, anything high-waist. High-waist jeans, shorts, skirts...they look good paired with anything! A sheer blouse tucked into a high-waist maxi skirt, platform boots, some jewelry, and a floppy 70's hat, and you're ready to go! This is one item I always recommend, because it's not just stylish, it's comfortable and easy to match to any other piece of clothing.

BGG: What is your must-have trend for 2012?
Emilija: Probably a crushed velvet mini-dress. I've been seeking one for a while now. These little dresses are so amazing -- they look good on all figures. With a velvet dress, you cannot go wrong, and you have the choice between so many different styles -- grungy, boho, vintage, or goth.  You can wear them with any style of shoes, too! High heels, pumps, creepers, platform shoes, or Doc Martens all work. The possibilities are endless. Definitely a must-have.

BGG: What are your future aspirations -- in fashion and beyond?
Emilija: I want to keep blogging for as long as possible, I really love doing it, and I'd like to somehow associate my future career with fashion. I don't know how yet -- it's a bit early to tell -- but I'd love to be a fashion designer or stylist. I have always been into art, fashion, and design. I also really like interior design and writing, but I'm not so sure about those yet, so at the moment I just want to carry on with fashion blogging!

written by Kelsey Herman