5 Real Girls With Tiny Budgets and HUGE Style

last updated 13 August 2019

You don't need a huge clothing budget to develop your personal style. In fact, a little creativity often goes a lot further than a lot of money. And there's no better way to find proof of that point than via Instagram. Inspired by the budding fashion girls we regularly spot on College Fashionista's Instagram, we dug deeper to find a few young women who have clearly found their sartorial footing.

It's to be assumed that as a student, you're in your pre-regular paycheck days and therefore need to stick to wallet-friendly purchases. Based on our research, these fashion girls use a combination of pieces from fast-fashion brands like Forever 21, Topshop, and Zara, and add in high-impact accessories like Adidas Superstar sneakers, crossbody bags, a well-placed silk scarf, cool exposed socks, and retro-inspired round Ray-Bans, to name a few.

Without further ado, keep scrolling to meet five real girls who impressed us with their style chops, and shop some of our current favorite wallet-friendly pieces at the end.

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Follow: @aprilvaleo

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Follow: @pendasarr

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Follow: @ashlinmai

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Follow: @brisaamarr

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Follow: @elizagracehuber

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Shop our budget-friendly picks:

Zara

Leather High Heel Ankle Boots

We're thoroughly impressed by the quality of these $50 boots.

Forever 21

Mock Neck Sweater

Add this bell-sleeved beauty to your fall wardrobe before it inevitably sells out.

Akaiv

Naomi Bag in Wine

A burgundy crossbody bag is surprisingly versatile.

Everlane

The Stretch Ponte Skinny Pants

Like leggings, but better.

Crap Eyewear

Wild Gift Sunnies

Our editors love these frames.

Adidas + Superstar Sneakers

Adidas

Superstar Sneakers

These are the go-to kicks for cool girls on a budget.

Mango

Aviator Bomber

A furry collar kicks a basic bomber up a notch.

H&M + Straight Regular Ankle Jeans

H&M

Straight Regular Ankle Jeans

These are subtly unique (and look quite a bit more expensive than they are).

Who What Wear + Plus Size Pajama Shirt Dress

Who What Wear

Plus Size Pajama Shirt Dress

Get onboard with the pajama trend via this flattering dress.

Topshop + Moto Denim High Waist Pelmet Skirt

Topshop

Moto Denim High Waist Pelmet Skirt

Topshop's denim skirts keep selling out, with good reason.

Project Social T

Chenille City Pullover Sweatshirt

Cool sweatshirts are a 2016 must-have.

Do you know a stylish girl on a budget? Tag them in the comments below!

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.