Interview with Joann from Budget Chic

This week FashionZest got a chance to interview Joann who is the creator of the successful fashion blog BudgetChic.org,which inspires women all over the world how to stay fashionable and stylish without spending a fortune. We got to learn more about her, her blog and her view of fashion.

Jenny: Lets start by hearing a little about yourself… who is Joann?
Joann: You know now that my only child has flown the coup, I’m just getting a chance to re-define myself and get back to the person I was before I started my family. This is an exciting time for me because I get to focus on some of the things I’ve been wanting and waiting to do but put on hold to raise my son. I get to re-discover myself…and I’m more in tune with myself now then I’ve ever been in my life.

Being older and wiser I’m feeling like I’m really on top of my game as far as being able to represent myself to other people in a confident and strong way. I can hold my own in any setting and in any environment. I’ve learned how to interact with others so they walk away feeling good about our meeting, be it relative, friend, associate, co-worker, client, whatever.

This in my opinion, is a huge part of a person’s success in life, however they define “it”. It’s the success one can have relating to other people and making that other person’s experience with them a positive one; one they remember and smile about when they think about you.

That to me precedes all of the other pieces and elements that one would combine to achieve success in whatever industry that may be in.

Jenny: What led you to write about / be involved in the fashion industry?
Joann: I really don’t consider myself being part of the industry in and of itself. A part of the fashion blogging community, definitely…but more slanted toward interacting with the average consumer and less about the industry as a business.

The fashion blogger in my opinion, is now really a voice and force to be reckon with. The worm is turning and “real women are now starting be heard and they are setting the tone, the trends and opening up ideas by way of “street style photography”. There are a lot of fashion savvy women out here in the blogsphere and retailers, manufacturers and designers are starting to recognize that. It’s not just about the industry professionals (magazine editors, model agents, PR for designers, etc.) that are always without question setting the pace each season – in the future it could be anybodies game. I like that the script is being flipped so now your everyday fashionista has a voice. A very influential voice because of the internet and how technology is starting to shift and change things around and as far as I’m concerned change is good!

Jenny: So what is Budget Chic all about?
Joann: I wanted to showcase outfits that a woman on a super-tight budget would be able to afford and still look well put together. In other words, no need to break the bank, there are tons of affordable and very stylist options out here from major retailers that just about everybody in the U.S. has access to. What makes it even more exciting for fashionista’s on a budget is the new retail ventures that established designers are doing with stores like Kohls and Macys.

Also, instead of showcasing one-of-a-kind vintage pieces on my blog, which a lot of blogger do; I wanted to use clothing offers by affordable retailers such as Target, Kohls, JC Penneys etc., so that any woman would be able to view my outfit that day and if they decided to replicate the look, they would have no problem finding these items in their local retail stores. I have also done a designer look-for-less and inspired celebrities style outfits. I continue to get really great feedback from my fashion blogging peers and the wonderful women who visit my blog on a daily basis. That’s why I keep doing what I do.

Jenny: How did Budget Chic start?
Joann: Budget Chic was a blog I started after leaving mystylediary.net. I had alot of very positive feedback about the outfits I styled from that website over a two year period. So in late ‘07 I decided to just branch out and showcase my style through a blog posting method instead. I was able to use larger images and give more details about the clothing and accessories I was able to find from bargain shopping.

Jenny: What do you hope to achieve with Budget Chic?
Joann: I really had no expectations, I just had this need to visual display the things that I like as far as fashion was concerned and maybe…..just maybe someone else would be able to relate to my style. I think it’s better not to go into something expecting anything out of it. My thing is “just do what you love because YOU want to do it”! Be natural, be yourself, let things flow and people will be drawn to that. Grassroots is so much more “relateable” then something overly thought-out for a specific purpose or result. No doubt I have been very pleased with the responses I’ve received and continue to receive and I’m just all about letting things happen as they happen.

Jenny: How would you describe your personal style?
Joann: I feel that one’s personal taste in clothing is an extension of their personality and it’s a very powerful, obviously personal and visually influencing thing. That’s why I find it hard to get my head around why other people allow someone else to “select and define” what their personal style should be.

It’s taken me a long time to come into my own personal style, I’ve had to learn what works and what doesn’t work and I’m still experimenting! However, now that I feel like I “own it” I can “work it” with insane confidences!!

I have a style quote on my blog that says “simplicity is everything” it’s all about balance. Ramp it up when the occasion calls for it but know how to “smooth it out” and make it all work.

Let the piece that needs to shine, shine by pulling back on other items within in your outfit. That way your pieces are not fighting with each other. I believe the clothes should never wear you, they should draw attention to you by way of your skin, hair, eyes, curves, legs, etc. When that happens you know that outfit is a stunner and your locking into and honing that technique call “personal style”!

Jenny: Who or what has been your greatest fashion influence?
Joann: To date – absolutely love Patricia Field for her zany and kooky play on fashion and Dita Von Teese for her love of all things retro and structured.

Jenny: Which is your favorite fashion designer at the moment, and why?
Joann: I’m really loving Donna Karan right now for her beautiful s/s 2010 collection. She showed some very flowly and kinda of unstructured pieces but she wrapped and shaped the fabric to compliment a woman’s body. She use the softest brush of pastels from lilac and peach to willowy gray to create ruffle, draping and pleating but still maintaining a fitted silhouette. Just about everything can go from the runway to the store racks. Love it, right up my alley!

Jenny: What trends to you like and dislike?
Joann:

Dislike

1) Mini dresses and skirts, ready for this to so go away
2) Spandex or rubberized leggings
3) Excessive layering with unstructured pieces

These are the trends that I think only a few select body types with the correct height could pull off. It’s not something that every women could embrace or is forgiving on most body types like a wrap dress. Every woman should be able to feel incredible whether she wears a 2 or a 22! Some trends are just not well-thought out and can isolate a lot of different body types.

Like

1) Muted / pastel neutrals
2) Bold pop colors
3) Nose Bleed Platforms

Jenny: What would be the one fashion tip you would give to a friend?
Joann: Know your body type! What works for YOUR specific body type based on your height, weight and bone structure, very important.

Try everything on and buy your size, not what you think your size should be but what fits you whether you are 5 pounds heavier or lighter that month.

Only do trends if they work with the above mentioned if not – leave ‘em alone!

Jenny: And finally… as the creator of Budget Chic, where do you see the site in 5 years time?
Joann: I hope that Budget Chic will continue to offer women an alternative to styling a pricey wardrobe. Dressing chic on a budget is the “new black” right now but for many women like myself it’s something we will continue to do regardless of economy conditions. We are fashionable women that love a bargain and we love a challenge!! We want to continue to show you how to “shut it down” and look incredible and well styled without spending excessive amounts of money to do it. I want to take that idealogy and expand and improve on the site and give my readers more information, more options, more bargains, more ways to save and last but not least more FASHION!!