Looking stylish can be costly. Celebs can look super stylish for free because designers send them freebies and they often get to keep the clothing they wear on fashion shoots. For the rest of us, it isn’t quite so easy. So, how can you maintain your cutting-edge style without blowing your wages every month?
Looking good doesn’t need to cost the earth. There are plenty of hacks to help you stay on-trend without going overdrawn. In this article, we are going to discuss the different ways to wear designer gear and look stylish for less. Read on for some great tips!
Know Your Style
It is very important to figure out your personal style. The more you chop and change your look, the more it will cost you because you’ll keep needing clothes and accessories. Take a good, hard look at your closet and see if there is a theme. Are you drawn towards vintage, or are you in love with Gucci or Off-White?
If your style is normally rather eclectic, try and narrow it down a bit. Try and aim for a capsule wardrobe, so you can mix and match clothing and accessories. This is cheaper and easier to style. Once you have a good idea of the type style you are aiming for, it is time to move on to the next step.
Shop Online for Designer Bargains
Wearing head to toe designer is unrealistic for most of us. We simply can’t afford to shop in designer boutiques and pick up the latest Victoria Beckham collection. However, splurging on one or two designer garments at a discounted price will lift your look to new heights and establish you as a style icon in your social circle.
The best place to find affordable designer goods is online. Online stores sell designer goods at competitive prices, so you can shop for your favorite designer and know that the price you pay is lowest possible.
For example, if you love the Saint Laurent style and you really want a Saint Laurent bag to pair with your favorite outfit, you can look for one on a store like ssense.com who stock some of the most loved items on the market right now. And while you are there, you might be able to pick up a cute Chloé backpack or Balenciaga hoodie.
Look for Up-and-coming Designers
Don’t be afraid to take a chance on new designers and less well-known brands. Just because they don’t appear on the red carpet yet, it doesn’t mean their clothing and accessories aren’t stylish and worth wearing. Use your eye for detail and look out for up-and-coming designers with talent. Many independent designers are just waiting for their big break. If you have an influential social media channel, wearing their stuff and showcasing it on your feed could catapult them into the spotlight.
Look out for new designers at the local art college, too. Alexander McQueen was once a fashion student. Imagine how amazing it would be if you had picked up some of his garments when you spotted him at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design back in the late 1980s. Isabella Blow saw his potential and McQueen was soon an icon in the fashion world.
Wear Last Season
Don’t be shy about wearing last season’s look. For one thing, it will be cheaper and for another, you will still be stylish. Just because it’s last season, it doesn’t mean it is old and past it. Some looks are classic, no matter how old they are. Pick a few iconic garments from an influential designer and they will never go out of vogue. A Saint Laurent bag or a Balenciaga t-shirt are two examples of classics that will still be stylish ten years from now.
Make Your Own Stylish Clothing
Style is a personal thing. What’s important is to make your look your own. Instead of being a carbon copy of every other fashion follower, experiment, innovate and be creative. Mix and match different looks and find a style that is all your own. Don’t be afraid of stepping outside the boundaries of what’s acceptable. If you love vintage clothing, wear it with panache. If you have a thing for 1980s knitwear, start knitting colorful cardigans and wear them with old Levi 501s.
You can even try making your own garments. You don’t need a degree in fashion to make a cute dress or shirt. Cut up existing garments and accessorize them with belts, jewelry, and embellishments. The latest embroidery trend is a fun way to add personality to a plain garment. It’s become a huge trend in Japan, with the nation’s youth going wild for cool embroidery patterns and motifs.
Experiment with your personal sense of fashion and style. Don’t be a sheep and wear whatever the latest issue of Vogue tells you is in right now. Have fun and try new looks. Publish the results on your social feeds and be proud of your style.
