Stitch ‘n Bitch – This is an awesome group of knitters that has chapters all around the country and world! Meet up, learn new stitches, make cool things—and new friends.

Dressmakers Clubs – There’s no specific website for this type of club, but you can do a quick search and see if there is one in your city. Get together with a group of experienced seamstresses to learn to make different styles of dress with different fabrics. Soon you’ll be creating outfits you can wear with flair.

Jewelry Making Clubs – Let’s not forget that no outfit is complete without accessories! Why pay a high price when you can create your own original pieces? Check out what jewelry clubs there are in your area.

I share a secret smile with myself and raise my hand to call him over, letting my Tory Burch bangles fall toward my elbow and my oversized Juicy ring glint in the dirty sunlight of the city. The cab pulls over and I step precariously over a puddle before smoothing my Michael Kors camel skirt and sliding onto the seat.

“Where to?” he asks me in a gruff accented voice.

I nonchalantly mumble the address while clicking open my email on my phone. My editor has updated my deadline and I’m late. Ahhh, the life of a writer in New York City…

Wait! A writer in New York City? Okay, sorry Sarah Jessica Parker (AKA Carrie Bradshaw), but there’s no way a writer (especially a young one) can afford to look like she just stepped off the runway. UNLESS there’s some secret fabulous-but-budget-friendly trick no one is telling us about.

Actually, there is!

We’ve taken some time figuring out ways to look like you have a lot of cash to throw down for your clothes (even when you’re really on that instant ramen diet).

Here’s how to dress like a fashionista on a recent graduate budget.