How to Dress Like a Fashion Week Veteran For Under $150

Back when Broke Girl's Guide was still just the glimmer of an idea, the fashion folks over at StyleCaster.com invited us to explore Fashion's Night Out in NYC with them. To our surprise, they also brought along a man dressed in drag as Anna Wintour. It was at the moment in which we saw said man-in-drag that we knew we'd be forever friends with the fashion-for-the-people-touting website, so we don't quite know what took us so long to ask them to write something for us.  Without further ado, here is their broke-girl-friendly advice for fitting in at New York Fashion Week (or just generally being as fabulous as Anna Wintour, whether in drag or not). 

Here’s a little-known fact: Fashion Week is equivalent to high school in which each show is an audition to sit at the cool kids’ table. You must walk the walk, talk the talk, and most importantly, dress like you didn’t just spend three hours fretting in front of the mirror.

Yes this is stressful, but not impossible. As true fashion insiders will tell you, too many labels scream over-eager, while too little suggest some obscure foreign writer with an eccentric fascination with Hello Kitty. A happy medium is called for, but more importantly you need a reasonable clothing budget that doesn’t include a $900 pair of shoes or a crocodile clutch that is equivalent to your college tuition.

Here’s a quick rundown of some smart buys you can easily reposition for date night, brunch, or your next vacation:

A comfortable skirt: Sure, many will sashay their way from show to show in dresses or skinny jeans, but a smart alternative is a long skirt (thus saving you from the humiliation of pale legs or snide cracks about your cankles).  Top Shop’s Marl Maxi Skirt in black ($40.00) has two things working in your favor: 1. It’s a basic staple and won’t wrinkle. 2. It has some sheer elements, which are currently on-trend.

An easy top: Dressy-dressy is a major don’t.  If you can’t afford to sport a $500 Chloe sweater then don’t even TRY to slide under the radar with a cheap rip-off. Instead, go the “I’m too sexy to bother” cut-off sweatshirt route.  This Renaissance French Terry Crop Top from Forever 21 is only $17.80 and works just as well with a crisp oxford shirt, leggings and some killer heels.

Accessory alternatives: Here’s where it gets fun. Now depending on your personal style, you can play up these two basics with a pair of funky shoes, a hat, a bag or even some statement jewelry.  Typically you want to invest big in your shoes (since you spend most of your time on your feet at these events), which is why these Kimchi Blue Red Perforated T-Strap Heels ($69.00) are ideal.

Other fun add-ons to consider include these edgy spike bangles from ASOS  ($23.28) or this bright and poppy red zebra print scarf from Fred Flare ($25.00). 

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Fashion Week photo by Spencer W