Loading ...Brittany Curran
No need to spend a lot of money shopping in order to be stylish!
Bewitched by the world of romantic glamour, I pine over outfits like Natalie Portman’s rich plum-magenta Lanvin cocktail dress worn at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival. The ruffled lining and billowy chest, which she so sweetly paired with classic black stilettos, is precisely what I adore: a style cocktail of elegance, simplicity, and beauty. I am also, however, madly in love with the funky creativity, vintage-inspiration, and feminine flair from designers like Betsey Johnson, Marni, and Alice & Olivia.
As a hard-pressed college student, I lack a steady and hefty income- but I do have the ingenuity to make fashion work for very little.
My mother quickly taught us how to stretch a dollar and I can certainly put the thrift in spendthrift. I scour used-clothing stores, pillaging for magnificent and affordable finds. Some of my favourite so far (each under $10) include cream-white two-inch heels; a high waisted pair of navy blue shorts; and a thick, fuchsia knee-length coat with big brass buttons. Not to mention endless beaded and bold-printed clutches. I also recently purchased hairpins, super glue, and multicolored feathers. I carefully pasted flimsy brown quills to a silver clip and voilà! A runway look in less than $4 and 30 minutes.
I suggest browsing the blouse rack at a second-hand store for lavish chemises, perhaps from the mid-90s, and tuck them into classic pieces, like black trousers or a tan pencil skirt. Comb the odds & ends bin, too, for brooches, silky scarves, and wildly vibrant earrings. In high school, I primarily donned neutrals (my Jeanne Garafalo phrase), but now I adore and demand brilliant punches of colour.
Remember that anything can be hemmed or transformed. If a lovely dress is too big, take it to your tailor or just wrap a bright belt around it. Twenty dollars, two hours for rummaging, and the patience to compete with intense bargain shoppers can make an incredibly powerful and personal outfit.
My economical eye extends beyond fashion, too- it also makes for the most enchanting home. Flowers brighten both my mood and my apartment. I could easily flutter down to a high-end floral shop and drop a paycheque on pretty peonies, English roses, and African violets, but I opt to buy a gorgeous $5 bouquet from the local farmer’s market, or browse the discount containers at grocery stores.
I am a hostess at heart, and strive to transport the romantic aesthetic into my humble home. Yard sales and online marketplaces are great destinations for discounted goods from lamps, to frames, to teacups. Used bookstores also help to add distinctive charm to your living room. A bestseller by Helen Gurley Brown, a biography on Yves Saint Laurent, and a Marilyn Monroe photography portfolio are among the inexpensive gems stacked on my coffee table.
Occasionally we feel the urge to splurge and that can feel fabulous. But I believe a girl really can have it all for less, too.
Image © denis tevekov/iStockPhoto
Loading ...