Do you want to start a fashion blog, but you’re worried that you can’t afford it?
When I began blogging in 2019, I wasn’t a Software Engineer like I am now. I was a Starbucks barista making minimum wage. Between bills and tuition, I didn’t have much money left over for blogging.
However, I still managed to launch my first fashion blog without breaking the bank. Here are my top tips and tricks to help you start a blog on a budget.
1. Incorporate your blog into your monthly budget.
Before making any purchases related to your blog, figure out how much you have to spend. Then, like with any other hobby or regular expense, make sure to include blogging in your monthly budget.
Each month, track how much you’re spending- and make sure to stay within your limits!
2. Choose a low-cost web host and blog theme.
Starting a blog doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor. There are plenty of companies that can help you get set up with web hosting and a WordPress theme at an affordable price.
My favorite web hosting company, Bluehost, offers affordable prices for new customers. Bluehost allows you to set up a WordPress blog that only costs $2.95 per month plus a free domain for the first year. If you don’t care about hosting a website on your own domain, you can host your blog for free on WordPress.com.
Instead of hiring an expensive web designer to create a custom WordPress theme for your blog, there are many affordable options that allow plenty of customization. I purchased the theme for Happy Healthy Stylish from EmPress Themes for only $69. A quick Google search will help you discover several other options.
Alternatively, if you have any background in WordPress or front-end software development, you can design your own theme. I designed my own theme when I released my first blog Ciao by Shay in 2018. However, I’d caution against this. Even as a front-end developer who has a lot of experience with WordPress, I found myself spending a lot of time maintaining my theme to keep it compatible with WordPress updates. Unless you want to put in the effort, I’d recommend using a premade theme instead.
3. Showcase outfits you already own.
You don’t need to go out and purchase tons of new clothes to start a fashion blog.
If you’re a passionate fashionista, you already have a great wardrobe. Why not start with sharing the outfits you own?
The above outfits made appearances on my Instagram and Ciao by Shay early in my blogging career. While still trendy, both outfits were entirely made up of clothing that I already owned. While I purchased a few affordable pieces, for the first year of Ciao by Shay, I mostly stuck to shopping my closet.
4. Focus on affordable fashion.
When I first began blogging, I was struggling financially. I could barely make my car payment- I definitely wasn’t going to spend my limited funds on designer goods!
Since I couldn’t afford expensive outfits or accessories, I posted inexpensive outfits from brands like Forever 21, Zara, and Target. All three clothes sell trendy, reasonably priced clothing.
5. Find – and post about – great style deals.
If affordable clothing isn’t your vibe or you like a mix of affordable and high-end styles like me, try writing about how to find great deals on designer clothes.
Take a look at the above outfit I posted in 2019. My boots and leather jacket were designer, but I was able to snag both on clearance at Last Chance and Nordstrom Rack respectively. That “Burberry scarf” is actually a dupe I purchased for 5 Euro from a street vendor in Edinburgh, Scotland. Buying any of those items at full price would have broken my wallet, but I was able to pay much, much less than you’d guess just by looking at that picture.
Buying designer clothing at a discount is a skill- one that many of your blog’s readers will love to learn!
6. Invest in staple pieces that you can re-wear.
If you do have to purchase new clothes for your blog, invest in items that you can style multiple different ways.
Typically, neutrals are the simplest to style. Also, basic pieces like t-shirts, jeans, and simple bodysuits are easy to mix and match with clothing you already own. Stay away from purchasing overly trendy pieces, bold patterns, or statement items that are memorable and tricky to pair with other items in your wardrobe.
Of course, you don’t have to stick entirely to neutrals or basics- any piece that you can style repeatedly will work just fine. One of the earliest purchases I made as a blogger was a simple, $40 pink midi skirt. While expensive for me at the time, it’s cost-per-wear is outstanding. I have included that skirt in at least 10 different looks over that past 3 years- and I’ve worn it many more times that I haven’t photographed!
7. Get creative.
Lots of influencers post about their daily outfits. Why do you have to fit the mold?
Back when I was broke, I didn’t only post about my daily outfits. After all, since I couldn’t afford a large wardrobe, it was boring to post about the same pieces day after day.
Instead, I wrote a mix of articles that included style guides, “What to Wear” posts, and other content that focused on quality rather than quantity. Not only did it keep my overall blogging costs down, it also inspired me to produce creative content that differentiated me within the industry.
8. Don’t try to portray a lifestyle you don’t have.
When browsing social media, it can be difficult to not compare your financial situation to that of other bloggers.
However, try to remember that things may not always be as they seem. Not everyone is as well-off as they portray themselves on social media. Many of the bloggers you follow may be more skilled than me at finding deals on designer goods. Some of them also have brand deals and receive tons of free product to promote. Others may have lucrative full-time jobs that allow them a bigger clothing budget. Still others may have family money- or you never know, they could be hiding thousands of dollars in credit card debt!
No matter what, don’t put yourself or your finances at risk by spending more than you can afford on blogging. It’s possible to build a blog and a brand without spending tons of money. At the end of the day, your health and happiness matter more than social media!