Picture this... you're walking through a shiny clean shopping centre, skinny latte in hand, dressed to impress and sporting this seasons hottest trends (as usual you stylish minx, you). You've got big plans for the weekend and you're already starting to style the perfect outfit in your head. Comfort, friends, will not be a factor in the composition of this weekend's masterpiece. You're seeing yourself in a hot-off-the-runway Sass and Bide number, accessorised with a gorgeous, House of Emmanuelle statement necklace. In your perfectly polished hand sits an Alexander McQueen clutch that you know will be the envy of all your fashionista friends... Inside that divine clutch is a sleek, shiny bank card... that, at this present time, has only enough money to cover your rent...to just cover your rent. Fashion bubble officially burst bitches. Suddenly, the Sass and Bide is snatched away as you frantically mind fuck your wardrobe from the other side of the city, willing it to produce an outfit worthy of your fabulous taste! But as usual, you come up unsatisfied with your options and just start wishing the bank would up your credit card limit.
It's the primary concern of every young fashionista... our bank balances and credit card limits simply do not allow us to possess every item we are coveting. You see, us young ladies are just starting out in our dream careers, or still studying to achieve our dream job. We know we have impeccable taste, but we just don't have to cash flow to prove it to the rest of the fashion world. Bitch please, we are NOT okay with repeat offending our Target essentials, and vintage will only get us so far. Personally, there have been many times when I've stood in a high end boutique, touching the fabric of the latest Ellery collection and wondering if anyone would notice if I didn't pay my rent for a month. And then there was the time I almost convinced myself that living on cereal would be more convenient for my lifestyle...and would also conveniently fund the Michael Kors bag I was actually going to die without *cough* drama queen.
But ladies, just take a deep breath for a moment. I am here to tell you that there are ways you can get your paws on the most fabulous designer goods and not end up on the streets with nothing in your pleather bag but Rice Bubbles. In other words, I'm going to show you how to fake it, until you make it.
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| Miranda Kerr's polished yet simple street style |
1. Borrow Bags & Accessories
There are many online boutiques that allow you to borrow new and old season designer bags, accessories and jewellery for a fraction of the price it costs to buy them. Each company has its own terms and conditions, so do read them carefully, but most places will let you hire a bag for either a week or a month for a small fee. For example, from the online boutique 'Bag Borrow or Steal' the Gucci Sunset Medium Leather Tote can be yours for a whole month for just $150. To buy it outright would cost you $1290.00. I find borrowing is most useful to take advantage of current season colour trends that you know aren't really trans-seasonal. You can borrow the on-trend bag for a few months and give it back for a newer season one when your time is up! Amazing!
The best ones I know of, that have the best range are:
2. Rent Designer Clothing
If you can't afford to splash out on that designer dress for your big night, you have the option to borrow designer clothing from small businesses who lend out designer garments. These businesses will lend you their designer garments for a small fee. Usually, you make an appointment with them to try on the garment and then pay to borrow it for an evening. It's a great way to show off your taste, particularly at a fashion event, without having to let go of a lot of cash. As you have to try on the garment you want to rent, you should hunt down these businesses in your own city.
Perth ladies, the two that I recommend are:
a) S o m e t h i n g B o r r e d
b) LBB: Little Black Book
3. Shop the sample sales!
Every time a designer releases a new collection, samples are made to send to their PR agency, so that the clothing can be lent out to the media or stylists for some 'media moments'. Samples are also kept by the designer in case the garment needs to be re cut or remade. When these samples are no longer needed, sample sales are created. Sample sales let you buy designer labels, without the designer price tag. The hardest part about shopping the sample sales is knowing where and when they are going to be! The best way to know is to keep an eye on fashion blogs such as Fabsugar, who usually let you know when the major Melbourne and Sydney sales are on. Perth does have massive local sample sales too so keep an ear out for the dates. The best way to keep up to date on all your fave designers sale info is to follow them on Facebook, if they are involved in a sample sale, they will most probably let you know!
A little word of warning...get to the sample sales early. Don't wait until the crowds die down because there will be nothing left! Don't become overwhelmed by the amount of amazing clothes available to your price point, buy items you are actually going to wear! And claws away ladies! Some girls can get very emotional at these sales, if someone else had it in their hands first, it's theirs! And you can always stalk them in the change room and hope the garment makes their butt look huuuuge, and then grab it when they come out. It's all about strategy.
4. Buy Staple Pieces
I know it has been said many times, but it couldn't be more true. Instead of spending your money on lots of low quality items you don't really love, save your cash for a while and then splash out on a piece that firstly, goes with many other items in your wardrobe and secondly, is going to last more than one season. The best way to make the right selections for your closet are to one, give away all the clothes you don't wear or aren't your style, two, make a list of the clothes that you want to incorporate into your wardrobe and buy them one by one! Staple pieces are best to get in basic colours, so you can style them a few different ways. You can buy some cheaper garments to wear with your staples to mix things up a bit. Also, a quality bag, sunnies and manicure are must have items if you want to look polished and super fabulous!
I hope that helps the budding fashionistas out there!
For now, peace out!
Angie xo
