Personal style blogger shares secrets to staying stylish on a budget
As much as we love browsing the glossy pages of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar for outfit inspiration, when we squint our eyes to see the price next to those fabulous outfits, it often leaves us feeling deflated, then motivated to rob a bank. Luckily, there are fashion bloggers who bring us back to our senses and introduce us to great outfits we can actually afford. And that’s why we are happy to introduce you to Yuli Panchenko, of Yuli ConversationS, who offers all the inspiration we need to put together just the right outfit, without looking for change in the couch cushions — or committing a felony. Meet Yuli …
Where I’m based: Boise, Idaho
How long I’ve been blogging: A little over one year.
Blog basics: YuliConversationS is a personal style blog of a regular girl who is always on a hunt for high quality fashion items. My blog is a place where I express my personal style and show my readers how to look expensive no matter how small their budget is.
Other blogs I love: Fashionista-Next-Door, The Style Mogul and The Daybook.
Guilty pleasure: Macaroons and coffee ice cream.
Last thing I bought: Neon Orange Falk thong-style sandals.
What are your favorite places to shop? The first stop I make is either at T.J. Maxx or Marshalls. I know I can always rely on these stores to have quality items with name brands and the latest styles for less. I also like to shop at Nordstrom Rack, Forever 21, Loft and ASOS.
Where did you get your love for fashion? I grew up in a family of nine kids. My parents’ first priority was to feed everyone, which also meant fashion was not one of the main concerns. Most of my clothes were passed down from my older sisters. When I was little, I loved clothes; I adored prints and unique details and really loved to dress up. Little did I know that those moments were my first steps into falling in love with fashion.
Where do you get inspiration for putting outfits together? Mostly, my creativity comes from either something newly purchased or whatever is already in my wardrobe. I love to explore and match things together and when something doesn’t work out for an outfit, my favorite excuse is to get out and shop. I also follow a lot of talented bloggers and sometimes do research on the latest trends.
What is your favorite fashion trend right now? Neon colors and mixing prints. I am still trying to master the skill to mix prints that would wow the crowd.
How can women looking to spruce up their wardrobes add style on a budget? I would suggest they evaluate their wardrobe first. Pull out pieces you don’t want any more and donate or sell them to a local thrift store. Save your classic, neutral, bold, one-of-a-kind pieces that still hold value and other pieces that are sentimental to you. Accessorize your classic and neutral pieces and don’t be afraid to play with patterns. Go shopping, but stick to sale racks. I often find great deals on high quality and brand name items simply because they are out of season. I also suggest considering items that flatter your physique and that are not necessarily your size which can easily be fixed by tailoring.
Being originally from the Ukraine, do you have any European influence in the way you dress? I was 13 when we moved to the United States. I didn’t know anything about the fashion world, all I knew is that I loved and appreciated clothes and I wanted more of them. When I was 15 years old, I learned the freedom you have through expressing yourself in daily outfits and that’s when I got a job which supported my shopping sprees.
