Q. I’ve recently had to endure a salary cut, which means my budget for things like clothes and accessories, has been dramatically reduced. Although I may be living on a shoestring but I certainly don’t want to look as if I am. Have you any advice for cash strapped fashionistas?
A. You may think that it’s going to be a lot more difficult to dress well on a budget but nothing could be further from the truth. Take, for example, Kate Moss. Although the Croyden born supermodel is worth a reported £43 million, she favours a bohemian style based on thrift store finds and vintage pieces. “Kate spent her time shopping - a lot. But the photos show her in Parisian flea markets, rather than upmarket boutiques, and she admits, 'I don't buy much'." (from Kate Moss Style by Angela Buttolph, 2008).
Her approach to style is spontaneous, unplanned and, despite her celebrity status, "she loves a bargain as much as the next girl, and always finds a treasure in a pile of junk".
In times like these, when we are all having to count our pennies, Moss is the perfect style icon because her look is based on individuality - rather than designer labels and ‘bling’. It just goes to show that real style has nothing to do with spending vast sums of money on flash designer gear; it’s more to do with knowing what works and having an eye for something special.
Your new reduced salary means that you will have to shop smarter, so, what exactly does that mean? In the recession women will buy fewer pieces, but they'll buy better. They'll look for clothes they can have an emotional connection with. And they'll want everything to multitask. If you are not sure where to start - go for the classics and start to shop for pieces that can transcend seasons and trends. A black dress, for instance, will not go out of style, can be worn for both casual and formal styles and can be a part of a wardrobe for multiple seasons.
Look at your existing wardrobe and try on anything you haven't worn for a while to see if it can be re-worked. There will be things you can customise or have altered turning trousers into shorts, for example, or having darts put in a dress to give it a different fit which are cheaper than buying a new item. Changing the buttons on a coat can transform it as can the addition of a corsage or brooch; they're an inexpensive way to give an old top a new look.
Check out iron on appliqué, too, which adds eye catching detail. You don't even need to be handy with a needle and thread and it will instantly update a plain black jacket. I’m also a huge fan of thrift stores and it's amazing what kinds of clothes people discard or donate. A lot of thrift stores stock fashion's crème de la crème - clothes from designs like Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, and Halston--and sell them for a fraction of the original price. Thrift shops are gold mines for one-of-a-kind treasures, so why not pop into your local charity for a rummage, you’ll be surprised at what you might find.
Tips for Thrifty Fashion Divas
TAKE MY BRIDESMAID DRESS, PLEASE
Want something new for free? Organize a clothing swap with friends. One person's fashion mistake can be your funky treasure. Get a gang of girls together and encourage each to bring two items of clothing along to swap with each other. Remember just because you don't like that top or coat, someone else might and it may be just what they're looking for to work with their wardrobe. A few glasses of wine and some nibbles and it's a great night, too.
ALTERATIONS
Look at hemlines on skirts and see if they can be altered. Collars on jackets can be taken off and changed and shoulder pads removed. It's surprising how a few alterations to clothes you've already got can change an outfit. For great alterations at a great price try www.thezipyard.com to find your nearest alterations store in Ireland.
STOP REPEATING YOURSELF
Do you really need another pair of black pants? People tend to buy the same thing over and over again because it's easy. In this economy, it's better to invest in a wardrobe game changer or something that instantly updates what you've got.
WEAR IT AGAIN
Attending loads of social events with the same circle of friends? Don't feel the need to don a different dress for every occasion. If Michelle Obama can wear her memorable clothes more than once, so can you. And wouldn't you rather look fabulous in the same spectacular dress than so-so in several sale-rack specimens?
DIVIDE AND CONQUER
To figure out if a big-ticket purchase is worth the investment, divide the price by the likely number of times you'll wear it. In an Irish winter, she asks, are you really going to be able to wear those Stella McCartney pink satin shoes out of the house? But a gorgeous pair of designer boots may be worth a splurge.
