Keeping with the theme of my champagne taste on a beer budget, I have decided to go on a mission (because we all know how much I like to go on a mission). I’m going to find the best winter buys for under $20. Yep that’s right, not $100, not $50 – JUST $20! (that is what being a full time student again has done to me!)

This mission is also a little lesson in how to make the latest trends work for you on a tight (TIGHT) budget. As you know, I’m more about creating your own sense of style rather than being a victim to trends, and I often find the easiest way keep you finger in the trend-pie without trying to hard (or looking like you are trying to hard) is to buy a few key accessories that will update your own style.

So here are my top five winter buys under $20 to update your wardrobe:

Animal print

Love it or hate it, animal print is back this winter. The good thing about the direction this trend has taken is that there are many more prints to choose from besides just your cougar print-of-choice leopard print. Now I would LOVE to update my wardrobe with some FAB Tony Bianco animal print shoes I have seen online (and yes, the ARE the cougar-fav leopard print, but I make them cool ok!?). As I was saying, I would love for these to be the latest addition to my winter wardrobe but alas, the RRP of $159.95 (although still amazingly priced) is waaaaaay above my $20 limit so my compromise is this cute animal-printed scarf from Supre (and no, you don’t have to wear it with shorts and a t-shirt in winter!)

The Aviator trend

I don’t know about you, but for me the shearling jackets are a much-too-recent trend from the 90’s recycled so I just can’t go there. (A very wise women, much more stylish than me once said, “honey, if you did it the first time, don’t do it again”. She was talking about the jumpsuit trend but I think it applied to most trends – if you were there the first time, you are too old to do it again.)

Back to the Aviator trend, no shearling in sight for me, but I know most people can rock a pair of aviator sunglass without even trying. Again, the original RayBan style is the ultimate but whoops, once again the price tag is up around the $200 mark and we need to lose one of those zeros. They are a universally flattering shape (and I would know, I spent all my undergrad years as a Sunglass Hut ‘sunglass expert’ so trust me on this one), the plastic lens are a cheaper option and also are less likely to be damaged when (not if, when) you drop them (again, trust me on this one!). Try some of the mainstream chain stores for a great (affordable) pair of aviators – even Kmart and Target will do a pretty good style!

Nails, nails, nails

One of THE easiest ways to update your look is to get your nails colour-happy. Heading into winter, the darker hues are coming back. There is the Kardashian -staple (and hence my fav), black – the key to this (and all dark colours) is to cut your nails quite short, make sure you are wearing some black clothes too and as soon as it starts to chip – TAKE IT OFF! The other colours I’m loving for winter are the deep, chocolate browns, the dark lilacs and purples and just to contrast all those deep colours, bright white (another Kardashian-inspired choice).

Now there are a few options for the $20 budget – you can either pop in and get a manicure for right on $20 (this is standard from most nail salons), or buy a whole bottle and sit in front of the telly for a half hour (watching The Kardashians??) and treat yourself to your own mani.

Best brands to try (and we can stretch the $20 to $22 if need be for this one, you might just have to go without a takeaway coffee on Monday ok?);

OPI – they even have an AWESOME app on the iPhone that shows you all the colours you can get and what it looks like on your skin tone (one of my besties and I spent hours amusing ourselves just with all the names of the colours – ‘Didgeridoo Your Nails’ and “Argentini Pinkini” were two of our favs). Their website is also really interactive and you can ‘try on’ colours and find locations for your picks – hours of entertainment when one should be doing other things (like working or studying or cleaning the house hee hee!)

Essie – This brand is the soft, sweet one of the bunch. Need a baby pink? This is the brand to look for. They are simple, stylish colours with a bit of a fashion edge and if you think the dark blacks and purples make you feel more like an Emo than a fashionista, there is nothing more stylish than a polished pink nail – these are the guys for you.

Butter  London – again, an AMAZING range of colours and all the names have a Pommie slant to them. “Union Jack Black,” “Come to Bed Red” and my new pick of the bunch, “No More Waity Katie” (in honour of the upcoming wedding).

Leggings (are not pants)

But they are the perfect way to turn your wardrobe for the cooler months. Just remember the ONE simple rule – NOT PANTS. Ok you get it – but how do you wear leggings if they are not pants? Take your favourite summer dress for example – add one pair of long black leggings (like the ones pictured from jeanswest.com.au), add a black blazer or cardigan and presto! a winter look for $19.99! This kind of outfit is my staple for autumn/winter in Brisbane because it doesn’t get really cold, but this outfit will keep me warm. Ballet flats or converse make the look appropriate for daytime then wear a sharper blazer and some great high heels or ankle boots for night time. It’s a great versatile look that will have you going back for six more pairs of leggings (for every other day!).

The other way to wear leggings is with a tunic top – now the only difference really between a tunic and a dress is the length. A tunic usually sits about mid thigh (so a little short for most of us to wear on its own). Leggings are the perfect option for under a tunic as they cover your legs, but don’t add bulk like pants will. Coming into winter there will be heaps of tunic around with a longer sleeve (enough to keep you warm) so no need to layer.

Teal is the only way

A pop of colour is ALWAYS guaranteed to update you look in winter, we all know how much we love wearing black and grey and nothing else when we get out of bed and its still dark. Colourful jewellery is a quick, easy way to update you look and make you feel a million dollars (even though you have only spent $20!) Teal is such a hot colour this season and the good news is it will carry on into next summer too so keep a hold of your bargain buys right into next season. Teal suits almost everyone so don’t be scared to give it a try whether it’s in a pair of earrings, a big cocktail ring or a beautiful string of shinny teal beads.
So boys and girls, there are my tips for making it through winter on a budget what are yours?

Do you have any winter wonders that you have found for under $20 that have rejuvenated your wardrobe?