• Style Guides
    • All Style Guides & Tips
    • Boho Style Essentials
    • Classic Style Essentials
    • Edgy Style Essentials
    • College Wardrobe Essentials
  • College
    • All College Articles
    • Dorm Bedding 2020
    • College School Supplies Checklist
    • Dorm Color Scheme Guide
    • Dorm Organization Tips
  • Outfit Ideas
    • All Outfit Inspo
    • College Outfits
    • 21st Birthday Outfits
    • Cold Weather Outfits
  • Sorority
    • All Things Sorority
    • Sorority Rush Essentials
    • Sorority Rush Outfits
  • Shopping
    • All Shopping Guides
    • Best Budget Fashion Stores
    • Where to Buy Sweaters
    • Best Online Thrift Stores
    • Timeless Jewelry Guide
  • Beauty
    • All Things Beauty
    • Makeup Essentials Guide
  • Valentine’s
    • All Valentine’s Posts
    • Valentine’s Day Gifts 2021
    • Valentines Gifts for Boyfriend
    • Valentine’s Day Gifts for Girlfriend
    • Cute Valentines Outfits
    • Galentine’s Day 2021
College Fashion
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Write for us

4 Ways to Use Your Fashion Skills to Make Money

Last Updated on March 1, 2019 by Abena - University of Chicago
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase through our links. Please read our full disclosure here.
Piggy bank money

Photo Credit

As college girls, we’re all familiar with the money struggle. There are so many things we want to do (like shopping!), but the costs of being in college leave us with very little spending money to do anything fun.

However, the rise of technology in the fashion world is giving girls the opportunity to combine a love for fashion with the need to make some spending money. Below are a few suggestions to use those fashion skills to earn a little extra income on the side:

1. Become a Fashion Blogger

Typing

Photo Credit

Fashion bloggers have been around for a long time, but in recent years their internet presence has boomed. The most successful personal style bloggers can make hundreds of thousands of dollars per year along with other awesome opportunities like collaborations with major designers and retailers.

However, the work of a fashion blogger is no easy task. It can take years of dedication to gain a loyal online following, and to reach this level of success requires a full-time commitment to your blog. But, don’t let that deter you! If you can devote a little time every day (or even every other day), then fashion blogging can be a fantastic way to earn a little extra cash while doing something that you love.

Fashion blogs make money through a variety of sources, and it’s a good idea to do some research before you start your blogging journey. Check out the CF post on how to start a personal style blog for some helpful tips on this very topic.

When it comes to fashion blogging, all you need is a camera, access to the internet, and a passion for fashion. But remember, it also takes a lot of dedication, so you should only do it if its something you really love!

2. Become a YouTube Vlogger

Girl applying mascara

Photo Credit

Along the same lines as fashion blogging is YouTube video blogging or “vlogging”. The popularity of vloggers is growing at an insanely rapid pace, and there are tons of possibilities for the kinds of videos you can make. You could focus on make-up tutorials, fashion reviews, DIY projects,or anything else you’re passionate about. All you need to get started is internet access, a video camera, and a YouTube account!

Once you get a solid amount of YouTube subscriptions, you can apply to be a YouTube partner and start earning money off your videos through advertisements. Similar to fashion blogging, the only way to be successful as a vlogger is to stay consistent and update regularly. If you have a couple of hours to make a video every week, vlogging could be a great option to do something fun and creative while making some money on the side.

3. Become an Entrepreneur

Person sewing

Photo Credit

If you’re a girl that loves crafting unique pieces of jewelry or sewing your own dresses, then you should consider selling your work. The perks of being an entrepreneur is that you can work as much or as little as your schedule allows. You could even grab a couple of friends and start a summer business as a way to hang out while earning money.

You could sell your products locally to family and friends, or you could venture to an online platform. E-Commerce sites like Etsy and Ebay are a great place to start selling your original work, because they cut down the costs required to start a business and increase the likelihood of people seeing your products.

Did you know that Sophia Amoruso, the founder of Nasty Gal, first started out selling her vintage finds on Ebay!? Take note from this successful entrepreneur and turn a fun hobby into a thriving business.

4. Become a Representative or Online Stylist

Stella and dot display

Photo Credit

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, but don’t have anything of your own to sell, you should consider becoming a representative for an established company. Companies like Stella and Dot and Mary Kay allow you to sell their products and earn commission on your sales. This means that you can set your own hours and have complete control over your business schedule.

However, companies like this will have a start-up fee – since you’re essentially buying products from them that you’re then going to sell – and these fees can be expensive. Therefore, it’s important that you can really commit to this type of work since it does require an investment.

If you’re not willing to pay anything upfront, then you could consider becoming an online stylist at a website like Keaton Row. The business scheme is similar: you make money based on how much you sell, but it’s free to join and requires less of a commitment. It also gives you a real-world opportunity to put your awesome styling skills to good use!

Thoughts?

What do you think of these ideas? Have you had success as a blogger, vlogger, or entrepreneur? How do you use your fashion skills? What do you do to earn cash on the side? Share your tips in the comment section!

Tags : Blogging, Budget Fashion, DIY, How To, Money

12 Comments
Originally published on July 17, 2013
Previous Top 5 Tips for Students Traveling in Europe
Next How to Stay Healthy on Vacation

Related Posts

Sorority Rush Secrets That Every Girl Should Know

6 Productive Things to Do During Your Lunch Break

The Ultimate Guide to Joining (and Surviving) a Sororit...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Becky says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:36 pm

    Different kind of post but I like it. I am an Arbonne consultant (#3) and I only work about 15 hours a week and make more than my waitressing job before with less time. It’s a good idea for the right kind of person.

    Reply
  2. 13 Covet Street says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:36 pm

    Very helpful ideas! I recently started blogging, and it does take dedication and patience, especially building an audience

    Style n love, jamaica
    Dania

    Reply
  3. Lexi says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:35 pm

    I’ve been blogging for a year and a half. I dedicate a lot of time to it, but still have a relatively small following and have spent more on my blog than I’ve earned. That said, it’s been incredibly rewarding in other ways and requires you to develop so many useful skills — writing, editing, photography, graphic design, coding, SEO, social media management and networking, etc. I love it because it’s an on-going project that is never truly finished so I can constantly work on improving myself and my work.

    My point is that It’s extremely difficult to make any sort of meaningful income as a fashion blogger, but I wouldn’t trade the time I’ve spent blogging for all the money in the world. So, for anyone out there considering starting a blog, don’t be discouraged by all the information saying how difficult it is to make it as a blogger. It is, but the skills you’ll teach yourself in the process will only help you in virtually any career path you take.

    Reply
  4. Mia says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:35 pm

    I completely agree with becoming an independent distributor for a company. I just started selling those “Crazy Wrap Things” and I am wishing I would have started sooner! As a college student it is hard to find time for a set schedule job, now I set my own hours and make more money than my friends do at their part-time jobs. Not only do I make commissions but also weekly bonuses and retail profits. This has been a blast to work and definitely suggest it to any college student looking to make money on the side!

    Reply
  5. Kim says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:35 pm

    Wonderful ideas! There are so many great ways to make extra money- especially when you are creative. Other options include creating fashion webinars or selling courses about fashion on Udemy- teach others and make money at the same time!

    Reply
  6. Roze says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:35 pm

    I actually became an Avon representative over the summer~!

    Reply
  7. Sanam says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:36 pm

    @Lexi I think you made a really good point there.

    I used to have a fashion blog for about 2 years and only made a few hundred pounds from it in that ENTIRE time.

    So if you want to start a fashion blog for the money then you’ll probably be disappointed, at least for the first few years.

    Only major bloggers get some sort of income from it. Definitely not newbies, at least most of the time.

    The best advice that I’ve heard about this issue is to avoid all monetization and money-making-stuff until you have a large following, otherwise you’ll get wrapped up in it.

    Another great article though CollegeFashion 🙂

    1 thing that I would add to it though is perhaps a few easier alternatives (like setting up an ebay store?), as many of these require a ton of commitment and time!

    Sanam 🙂

    Reply
  8. Anna says

    May 29, 2019 at 5:35 pm

    @lexi and @sanam

    I completely agree with both of you. It takes a LOT of money to power a fashion blog just because you don’t want to repeat the same pieces twice and you get practically nothing from it money-wise. BUT the experience is what really makes it worthwhile.

    For the longest time, I didn’t know what to do with myself. But after I started blogging it was so great to have something to work and strive for. I have learned so much about photography, editing, writing, and social media in just a few months. All of which are very useful skills to have whether you blog or not.

    That’s not to say it is impossible to make money off a blog, because it is VERY possible. 🙂 just not after a couple blog posts. It really does take time.

    If you’re looking for immediate monetary compensation for your work, ebay and etsy are certainly the way to go! 🙂

    Reply
  9. MarieL says

    April 15, 2019 at 11:25 am

    For Keaton Row, you need styling experience. However, I heard that Stella and Dot is a great business opportunity. Good post.

    Reply
  10. Arava Glam says

    May 29, 2019 at 6:00 pm

    Great article, thank you!
    I tried all kinds of ways to make money online.
    What works best for me is Koocam.
    I teach my hobbies, and sells my knowledge in every field.
    It’s great

    Reply
  11. Shannon says

    May 17, 2019 at 7:03 pm

    The key is to add a pop of color in your footwear selection. There are some
    good rules of thumb for how to wear clothes according to your body type.
    It can be so hard to guess just how cold or warm it is outdoors by peeking through your window in the morning.

    Reply
  12. Polymath Mark says

    October 27, 2019 at 5:27 pm

    Thanks for these tips. I can definitely see myself using blogs to network with ppl.

    Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • pinterest
  • bloglovin

SEARCH CF

Get the latest CF updates! (Delivered weekly, no spam ever, unsubscribe anytime.)

Best of 2020: Fashion, Beauty, College Essentials, and More!

All of my favorites from an unforgettable year, to say the least.

Here Are the Best Valentines Gifts for Boyfriend in 2021 (Unique & Thoughtful)

Need the perfect gift for your boyfriend? Here are some great gift ideas he definitely doesn’t have yet.

Vintage Posts

Copyright © 2007-2021 College Fashion LLC | Contact • Privacy Policy • Terms of Service • Disclosure • Write for Us