If you love budget-friendly fashion, then you'll love The Budget Fashionista, otherwise known as Kathryn Finney. Check out what she has to say about her book, her site, writing, and more.
Q: How has The Budget Fashionista blog grown over the past year since the publication of your (fabulous) book?
Kathryn Finney: The growth of the blog has been truly amazing. I guess there's a lot of cheap people out there, The Budget Fashionista is now the #1 fashion blog in terms of traffic and we just keep growing and growing. It's good to know that you're not alone in your cheapness.
Q: How have you managed increasing time requirements and dedication? Do you have an online assistant, guest bloggers, or a personal assistant?
Kathryn Finney: Well, I have a fabulous assistant Angela who helps me write the blog as well as our new blogs See Jack Shop for men on a budget and The Budget Bambino (for kids). My husband, Tobias, also does quite a bit of work with the site.
Q: Do you ever run into "snags" as a budget blogger when you want to recommend something slightly out of the usual budget price range?
Kathryn Finney: Well I am all about value not just price. Something maybe cheap, but if it looks, feels, smells, etc cheap, then it's money wasted. I encourage readers to use the cost per wear formula (cost of the item/ the number of times you think you'll wear it). A good cost per wear for a basic item (jeans, t-shirt, shoes, etc) is under $3.00 per wear.
Q: How do you respond to reviews and suggestions from your audience?
Kathryn Finney: I love it. I wouldn't be here without my readers. Even, when they are harsh (and boy they can be), I read it. I might delete it after reading it, but I do read it.
Plus-Size Details
Q: How does plus-size fashion play a part in The Budget Fashionista and your recommendations?
Kathryn Finney: Well, I am always fluctuating between plus size and misses sizing, so it's pretty personal for me. I try to include information for all size ranges, including petites, because it's easy to dress on a budget when you're 5 ft 10 and 120 pounds.
Q: Do you have any fall fashion must-haves for plus-size women? What's going to work for us when the weather gets cooler?
Kathryn Finney: Layers. Yes, layers.. There's this misconception that plus size [women] can't wear layers- which is totally NOT true. We can wear layers, we just need to make sure that we layer thinner fabrics (cashmere, jersey knit, merona wool, etc).
Also belts. Belts are a great way to define your waist and the correct usage of a belt can actually make your waist look smaller. Here's a tip: wear your belt underneath an open blazer. Since the human eye can only see the distance between the two lapels it makes your waist look smaller.Q: Are there any changes for thebudgetfashionista.com?
Kathryn Finney: We're undergoing a major redesign which will give our readers even more ways to get involved. We're also launching two other sites See Jack Shop a shopping blog for men and The Budget Bambino, a site for mom and kids on a budget.
About Writing
Q: How would you describe your Budget Fashionista readers?
Smart. Funny. Budget Savvy. Fashion Forward. Lovable.Q: How much time does it take to write each of your posts? Do you ever revise them after they're published?
Kathryn Finney: It really depends.. Some take a month, other 5 minutes. I revise them all the time due to my grammar problem.
Q: How do you organize your posts? Do you write them all at one time or regularly throughout the week?
Kathryn Finney: Usually several at a time, unless there's a pressing issue that I must address.
Q: What's your advice to new fashion bloggers?
Kathryn Finney: Be yourself and be unique. It takes time, so you won't be a millionaire tomorrow. Read blogs like Performancing, problogger.com, shoemoney.com, johnchow.com, techcrunch.com in order to learn how to build a blog.
Q: What reading essentials would you recommend for budding fashionistas?
Kathryn Finney: My book- How to Be a Budget Fashionista.
Take a look at The Budget Fashionista to quench your thirst for budget fashion and plus-size friendly suggestions.
