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The Cheap Chica's Guide to Style: Secrets to Shopping Cheap and Looking Chic
Priceless tips and tricks to shopping on a budget, from America’s favorite frugal fashionistaStylish bargain-hunters have been flocking to Lilliana Vazquez’s CheapChicas.com since 2008 for tips and tricks on how to shop smart, copy their favorite designer looks, and dress chic for less. Now a go-to destination for women eager for affordable fashion, the site has established Lilliana as a nationally recognized style expert. Now, in The Cheap Chica’s Guide to Style, Lilliana is spilling her secrets! Fun quizzes will help readers define their style and budget. And Lilliana lays out the best places—from stores to flash-sale sites to their own closets— to score stylish deals. Approachable and beautifully designed, The Cheap Chica’s Guide to Style is the must-have accessory for 2013 and beyond.
- GenresFashionNonfictionHow To
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2013
10 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 27, 2017
Mostly targeted for someone in their 20's or 30's who can afford brands close to the price level of Banana Republic. As a soon-to-be college student, there's no way I'm going to buy a $50 shirt. However, as someone who desperately needs some information on dressing better, this definitely did give me some advice on where to shop for the things I need in my closet, and how to shop properly to get things I'll actually wear and will look good with other pieces in my wardrobe. I wish there was more information and graphics on styling and clothes combinations, though.
May 29, 2015
Great for younger or trend driven women
4 stars with a caveat. If you are already very well informed about style, clothing fit and fashion, there isn't too much new here. Or if you lean more toward a capsule or minimalist wardrobe, most of the book is also not for you. That said, Lilliana has a wonderful tone and friendly writing style. This is a great book for a younger career woman just beginning to work on her wardrobe or for those who like to change things up on a budget. Also may be a helpful guide for women who have gone through a big weight loss and who now have a new or renewed interest in fashion. My favorite part is at the end of the book where she talks about throwing out the fashion rules and mixing different styles, etc. It's how I personally like to dress and she did give me some ideas. The reason I gave four stars instead of five is there are some errors that the editor should've caught before publishing. One that comes to mind is the jeans size chart (no 31 is listed and 28 is listed twice). The book (I read the Kindle version) wasn't fraught with errors but there were a few.
4 stars with a caveat. If you are already very well informed about style, clothing fit and fashion, there isn't too much new here. Or if you lean more toward a capsule or minimalist wardrobe, most of the book is also not for you. That said, Lilliana has a wonderful tone and friendly writing style. This is a great book for a younger career woman just beginning to work on her wardrobe or for those who like to change things up on a budget. Also may be a helpful guide for women who have gone through a big weight loss and who now have a new or renewed interest in fashion. My favorite part is at the end of the book where she talks about throwing out the fashion rules and mixing different styles, etc. It's how I personally like to dress and she did give me some ideas. The reason I gave four stars instead of five is there are some errors that the editor should've caught before publishing. One that comes to mind is the jeans size chart (no 31 is listed and 28 is listed twice). The book (I read the Kindle version) wasn't fraught with errors but there were a few.
February 13, 2017
A little young in style so not geared for my personal taste which is older. I like visuals and there are a few of these scattered throughout the book. As a Canadian, it is definitely geared for American shoppers so disappointing that I would be unable to take advantage of any of the vintage shop suggestions, etc. I didn't learn much that I wasn't already familiar with but I am a sucker for any written word about fashion and style so can't resist. Cheap is the key word here and Lilliana knows her stuff who. It comes to finding style for a great price. She isn't about minimalist which is the latest tend and that is actually kinda nice fir a change.
April 16, 2014
If you don't have a style guide in your library, this one is up to date and worth buying. She's got a nice tone, there's pretty pictures, as well as colored plates.
The one thing that I think makes the book worth it is her discussion of garment finishing. For example, French seams indicate a higher quality garment, as does non-shiny buttons, etc. As for the cheapness part of it, you'll find a few tips but if you already know how to hunt for a bargain I don't know if they're that useful.
The quizzes to figure out your style annoyed me to no end. There's no effort made to hide which style is which while you're taking the quiz, and there's so many categories that none of them seem really useful or fitting.
Overall a really cute book, great tone, good drawings and photos. A nice primer for your fashion collection if you need one.
The one thing that I think makes the book worth it is her discussion of garment finishing. For example, French seams indicate a higher quality garment, as does non-shiny buttons, etc. As for the cheapness part of it, you'll find a few tips but if you already know how to hunt for a bargain I don't know if they're that useful.
The quizzes to figure out your style annoyed me to no end. There's no effort made to hide which style is which while you're taking the quiz, and there's so many categories that none of them seem really useful or fitting.
Overall a really cute book, great tone, good drawings and photos. A nice primer for your fashion collection if you need one.
February 21, 2015
This is a book for people who are just starting to think about fashion. It is a lot like other how-to fashion books and there isn't much that really sets it apart, besides its inclusion about how to save money. To me though, everything in it seems to be common knowledge. Ebay, thrift stores, sales sections...nothing new here. It does give tips according to body type but the author kept using "petite" in two ways: short and small-boned. However, petite, in terms of shopping, only refers to women below 5'4" so recommending miniskirts to "petite" women, for example, can sometimes be a bad idea. Also, there can be an overlap of shapes and sizes that she doesn't take into account.
It was an easy read but there was nothing new here I didn't already know from the other books I own.
It was an easy read but there was nothing new here I didn't already know from the other books I own.
July 1, 2014
Ohmigosh! My new fashion Bible! I picked this up at random at the library and when I picked it up to read, I just ended up reading it cover to cover. Smart tips, secrets to shopping in store and online, vintage clothing buying and restyling older clothes, it's all here. She's at www.cheapchicas.com too. Feeling inspired to clean out my closet and make a list...
If you like looking good, but aren't a fashionista (or if you are). If you like nice clothes but don't want to spend a month's rent on a pair of shoes. If you don't love shopping unless you know what you're getting and where (or if you do love shopping). This book is highly recommended.
If you like looking good, but aren't a fashionista (or if you are). If you like nice clothes but don't want to spend a month's rent on a pair of shoes. If you don't love shopping unless you know what you're getting and where (or if you do love shopping). This book is highly recommended.
November 14, 2014
If you read fashion magazines and are a savvy shopper, you will learn absolutely nothing new in this book. It was a waste of time for me, but I could see it being helpful to two groups: pre teens or highschoolers just learning about fashion, or someone looking for online shopping resources- she has a pretty good, comprehensive list of retailers that I also like. The book is well written, but pedantic and assuming- the reader owns Tumi luggage, loves Theory, wears C Louboutins, etc.- I found the constant label-dropping distasteful and ungracious.
December 28, 2013
I'd heard of this site (& never really cared for it to be honest) so I wasn't expecting to be impressed. Only because I expected all the information I'd already heard on a million shows, but I was so wrong. This book is EXCELLENT!! So many useful, new tips. I keep revisiting the pages. I recommend this book to any and everyone who is just interested in maintaining an organized wardrobe and not overspending on clothing.
September 15, 2015
Vazquez offers informative warlike planning approach to fashion. She is overtly helpful (and makes fashion accessible). Her most appealing charm being: style can not be bought. The mantra, supplemented by tangible steps to an abstract visual communication of one's self through the art of wear serves as a reminder of the practicality of clothes.
December 29, 2013
There was some helpful tips in here. I like that she included six ways to tie a scarf.
November 28, 2013
Very helpful book for me cause I need fashion guidance.
January 19, 2014
Great advice! I'm definitely going to purchase this book to keep for future reference!
May 23, 2014
Oooooh! So THAT's how you layer.
This book has awesome ideas. You would think they were obvious, but I never thought of them. I have already started using the information.
This book has awesome ideas. You would think they were obvious, but I never thought of them. I have already started using the information.
December 3, 2014
Did not fully read this book but skimmed it and liked it. Love the list of basics to have!
June 17, 2015
Good lists of retailers, not very useful otherwise.
April 21, 2017
Good - Not scared of incorporating colour and prints. The list of websites/shops was kinda useful.
Bad - Nothing new. I am not sure what life changing stuff i was expecting from this book. Not for minimalists and just encourages you to shop more and more. Basically, encouraging one to buy branded stuff but on how to wait for deals.
Bad - Nothing new. I am not sure what life changing stuff i was expecting from this book. Not for minimalists and just encourages you to shop more and more. Basically, encouraging one to buy branded stuff but on how to wait for deals.
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February 12, 2018Lots of great tips!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews