How to Dress Well for Less: Expert Tips from a New Zealand Fashion Stylist
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How to Dress Well for Less: The Smart Way
Clothes Shopping on a Budget: What to Spend and What to Save
Fashion Stylist Tips: Stephanie’s Advice for Real Women
Building a Capsule Wardrobe for Every Season
Affordable Fashion: How to Make Every Dollar Count
Fashion and Clothing Trends in New Zealand: A Reality Check
Clothing Essentials That Every Woman Should Own
How to Look Expensive and Classy Without the Price Tag
How to Make Simple Clothes Look Fashionable
Final Thoughts: Confidence Is the Best Investment
Looking stylish doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune. In episode 18 of the Style for Life podcast, Stephanie Rumble — a seasoned fashion stylist and accountability coach based in Christchurch, New Zealand — shares her best insights on how to dress well for less. With over 18 years of experience styling women across all walks of life, Stephanie unpacks her tried-and-true methods for building a functional, flattering and fashionable wardrobe on a budget.
Whether you're looking to upgrade your image, refresh your style for the season, or simply stop wasting money on clothes that don't work, this guide outlines everything you need to know to feel confident in your wardrobe choices.
How to Dress Well for Less: The Smart Way
Stephanie opens the episode by challenging the common belief that good style comes with a hefty price tag. Instead, she breaks down how spending intentionally, dressing with confidence, and planning ahead can make all the difference. Looking stylish doesn't mean maxing out your credit card — it's about understanding your body, your lifestyle, and your wardrobe gaps.
Here are her top tips on how to dress well for less:
Get clear on the image you want to portray
Choose clothes you genuinely feel good in
Shop smart: pre-loved, sales, swaps, and seasonal clearance
Understand when to spend and when to save
Build a cohesive capsule wardrobe that mixes and matches easily
Accessorise strategically to polish your look
These tips aren’t about quick fixes, but about developing mindful shopping habits. When applied consistently, they help you cultivate a style that works long-term and feels like an authentic expression of yourself. They’re also perfect for anyone looking for quality women's clothing in New Zealand without breaking the bank.
Clothes Shopping on a Budget: What to Spend and What to Save
Understanding how to allocate your clothing budget is crucial. Stephanie recommends spending 5–10% of your after-tax income on your personal appearance, including clothing, hair, skincare, and grooming. This gives you a realistic framework and helps remove guilt around spending money on yourself.
"You do not have to spend a lot of money to look good." ~ Stephanie Rumble
Spend more on:
Coats and jackets
Underwear and bras that fit well
Classic workwear staples
Items in luxury fabrics like silk or wool
Pieces that will last multiple seasons
Spend less on:
High-fashion or seasonal trends
Accessories and layering items
Casual home or gardening clothes
Following this approach ensures your wardrobe evolves with you. By investing in high-impact staples and saving on trend-based or occasional wear, you’ll make better long-term choices. It’s a foundational strategy for clothes shopping on a budget that’s both smart and sustainable.
Fashion Stylist Tips: Stephanie’s Advice for Real Women
As a professional fashion stylist, Stephanie offers practical and personal advice tailored to women of all sizes, shapes and lifestyles. She understands that looking good isn't just about following trends — it's about discovering what works for your personality and your daily life.
"Looking good doesn’t have to be expensive — it just needs to be smart." ~ Stephanie Rumble
Some of her go-to fashion stylist tips include:
Know your personality and dress to reflect it
Understand your colouring and choose tones that flatter
Buy clothes that suit your body shape, not someone else’s
Only buy clothes that work with at least three other items in your wardrobe
These aren’t theoretical tips. They’re based on real results she’s seen with clients. If you're searching for reliable, actionable fashion tips, this is where to start. Stephanie's mission is to make fashion accessible and enjoyable — not intimidating.
If you're unsure how to begin applying these tips and strategies to your wardrobe, consider booking a personal styling consultation. Stephanie offers both in-person and virtual services to help women build confidence through clothing.
Building a Capsule Wardrobe for Every Season
Creating a capsule wardrobe is one of the most effective ways to simplify your style and save money. A capsule wardrobe is a collection of coordinated pieces designed to be worn interchangeably, reducing clutter while increasing outfit options.
You might also consider building seasonal capsules — such as a capsule wardrobe for summer and a capsule wardrobe for winter — to suit your climate and lifestyle needs.
Capsule Wardrobe Checklist:
3–4 tops
2–3 bottoms (skirts, pants, jeans)
1 dress or jumpsuit
2 jackets or layering pieces
Coordinated accessories (shoes, belts, jewellery)
Neutral colour palette with 1–2 accent colours
If you’re short on space, creating a slim wardrobe version of this capsule can work just as well. The goal is to make each item earn its place by working in multiple outfits.
Affordable Fashion: How to Make Every Dollar Count
Affordable fashion isn’t about buying cheap — it’s about buying smart. Stephanie encourages strategic shopping and a conscious mindset to build a wardrobe that reflects your personality without draining your wallet.
Here are a few of her favourite tips:
Shop your own wardrobe first
Host a clothes-swapping party with friends
Explore pre-loved fashion stores
Sign up for sale alerts and clearance events
Be patient and intentional with purchases
Stephanie promotes positive mindset shifts through her accountability coaching programme, which complements her styling work by supporting women in building confidence and healthy lifestyle habits.
With these approaches, you’ll not only save money but also contribute to more sustainable fashion practices. Over time, you’ll find your style becomes more curated and less reactive.
Fashion and Clothing Trends in New Zealand: A Reality Check
The drive to dress well for less is not just about personal choice — it also reflects wider consumer habits and challenges across New Zealand’s fashion industry. Recent data reveals a noticeable dip in clothing expenditure, a shift influenced by economic pressures, fast fashion, and sustainability concerns.
Spending on fashion fell by around NZ$27 million year-on-year to NZ$317 million, a 7.8% drop, as shoppers pulled back amid tightening budgets (source).
The largest eCommerce retailer in the New Zealand Fashion eCommerce Market is trademe.co.nz, with an online revenue of US$346m in 2024 (source). (source).
Fast fashion continues to rise, driven by low wages, cost of living pressure and the demand for cheap, disposable clothing (source).
Approximately 180,000 tonnes of clothing and textile waste are dumped in New Zealand landfills every year — much of it linked to fast fashion habits (source).
These figures show the importance of making smarter, more sustainable wardrobe choices. Stephanie’s guidance provides a stylish solution to rising waste and falling value — helping you look and feel great without contributing to the fast fashion problem.
Clothing Essentials That Every Woman Should Own
If you’re starting from scratch or refreshing your fashion wardrobe, focus on timeless clothing essentials that form the backbone of any stylish look. These foundational pieces provide maximum versatility and can be dressed up or down with ease.
Well-fitting jeans
A classic blazer
Neutral-coloured tops
A versatile dress
Smart shoes that are both comfortable and chic
A stylish coat
Good quality undergarments
These wardrobe essentials that women rely on make everyday dressing easier and more consistent. Investing in the basics pays off by reducing decision fatigue and improving your overall look.
How to Look Expensive and Classy Without the Price Tag
You don’t need to spend a fortune to look polished. Here’s how to look expensive and classy without the designer price tag:
Choose clean, simple silhouettes in quality fabrics
Stick to neutral or monochrome colour schemes
Use structured pieces like belts or blazers to elevate basics
Prioritise grooming, from skincare to hair care
Coordinate your accessories to unify your look
Stephanie also shows that it’s entirely possible to learn how to look expensive in plus-size fashion. With the right tailoring and a focus on fabric and fit, every woman can feel sophisticated, stylish, and self-assured.
How to Make Simple Clothes Look Fashionable
Even the most basic pieces can be transformed with the right styling. Here are a few ways to master how to make simple clothes look fashionable:
Add a standout accessory like bold earrings or a scarf
Play with layering to add interest
Use colour contrast or tonal dressing to create visual appeal
Stand tall and wear your outfit with confidence
"It's not about who you are for someone else — it's about who you want to show the world that you are." ~ Stephanie Rumble
Sometimes, the difference between dull and dynamic is in the details. With Stephanie’s styling insights, your everyday basics can become style statements.
Final Thoughts: Confidence Is the Best Investment
Looking good doesn’t have to be expensive, especially when guided by the voice of experience. Stephanie Rumble helps real women across New Zealand elevate their look with purpose, not price. By applying these tips, you can build a confident, coordinated and stylish wardrobe — no matter your budget.
From budget fashion tips to clever shopping strategies and expert styling insights, Stephanie's approach to how to dress well for less is empowering and sustainable. If you're ready to redefine your style without overspending, this episode is a must-listen. You can also explore Stephanie's education and workshop services — which cover topics like resilience, workplace confidence, and communication — all of which support how we present ourselves in and out of our clothes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important tip for dressing well on a budget?
The most important tip is to be intentional. Knowing the image you want to project helps you avoid impulse buys and ensures your wardrobe feels cohesive and aligned with who you are. Stephanie encourages dressing with purpose — not perfection.
Start by shopping your own wardrobe, then slowly add versatile pieces that mix and match well. With just a few key items, you can create dozens of stylish combinations.
How much should I budget for clothing each year?
Stephanie recommends allocating 5–10% of your after-tax income toward your personal appearance, including clothing, hair, and grooming. This range allows for flexibility depending on your lifestyle, goals, and how often you need new clothes.
Many people either over-spend or under-invest in their wardrobe. Knowing your ideal budget helps balance practicality with self-care.
What is a capsule wardrobe and how does it save money?
A capsule wardrobe is a small, carefully curated collection of clothing that works well together and suits your lifestyle. It’s designed to minimise clutter and decision fatigue while maximising outfit combinations.
Stephanie suggests focusing on neutral colours, layering pieces, and accessories that tie everything together. She also offers wardrobe coordination consultations if you need help creating your own capsule system.
How do I know which clothes to spend more on?
Spend more on timeless, high-use items like coats, jackets, quality underwear, and well-fitting jeans. These staples endure seasonal changes and daily wear, making them a smarter long-term investment.
Stephanie also advises choosing luxury fabrics for key pieces if possible, as they tend to last longer and elevate your overall appearance.
Can I still look expensive if I wear plus-size clothing?
Absolutely. Stephanie emphasises that confidence, fit, and fabric are more important than size. Structured items, thoughtful layering, and flattering cuts can make any outfit look polished.
She regularly works with women of all shapes and sizes to help them feel empowered in their clothing. Her styling consultations cater to every body.
How do I avoid making bad clothing purchases?
Avoid buying items that only match one thing or don’t feel good to wear. Stephanie suggests that every item in your wardrobe should go with at least three other pieces.
Stick to colours and styles that suit your personality, lifestyle, and body shape. If you’re unsure, consider getting a colour or body shape consultation to guide future purchases.
What are the signs that clothes don’t suit me?
If your clothes don’t fit well, feel uncomfortable, or cause you to fidget and adjust constantly, they’re likely not right for you. You might also avoid wearing them often or feel self-conscious when you do.
Stephanie recommends choosing items that feel good both physically and psychologically. If you’re unsure what suits you, her personalised services can help you find your fit.
What are some sustainable alternatives to fast fashion?
Shop second-hand, organise clothing swaps, and invest in versatile pieces that last. Avoid buying large amounts of cheap, trend-based clothing that ends up in landfill.
Stephanie encourages mindful shopping habits and believes in making every purchase count — not just for your style, but for the planet too.
What if I hate shopping?
You’re not alone — many of Stephanie’s clients feel overwhelmed or frustrated by shopping. That’s why she offers personal shopping services where she does the hard part for you, either with you or on your behalf.
Her goal is to make shopping easier, more effective, and — dare we say — even enjoyable.
Does how I dress really affect my confidence?
Yes. Stephanie repeatedly emphasises that style is more than surface-level — it affects how you feel, how you show up, and how others respond to you. When you wear clothes that reflect who you are, you feel more grounded and in control.
Whether you're dressing for a big event, returning to work, or rebuilding your wardrobe after weight loss, thoughtful styling can be a powerful confidence booster.
