LOOKING FABULOUSLY chic comes easy for celebrities, thanks to hefty paycheques and expensive stylists, but for the down-and-out 'fashion frugalista' life is a constant challenge of trying to recreate designer looks on a tight budget.
And after spending up during the holiday season, fashionistas have to stretch their buck even further than usual if they want to look good come spring. But just because your budget is more Giordano than Prada doesn't mean you have to resign yourself to a wardrobe full of cheap knock-offs that belong in fashion purgatory. With a bit of research and smart shopping, looking chic without breaking the bank is more attainable than that Croc Hermes Birkin.
'Spend your money on the most important items first,' says image consultant Eve Roth Lindsay of Savvy Style, Colour Me Beautiful HK. 'Keep in mind how often you'll wear the item.'
In How to Be a Budget Fashionista: The Ultimate Guide to Looking Fabulous for Less, fashion blogger Kathryn Finney says there's no set formula on how you should allocate your budget. She advises focusing on value rather than price and suggests calculating the cost per wear of an item when considering if it's closet-worthy. 'This is the cost of the item divided by the number of times you think you'll wear it,' she says. 'So, if you pay US$100 for an item and think you're going to wear it 20 times in a given year, your cost per wear is US$5 (US$100/20 = US$5).'
'Budget shoppers need to be more strategic with their purchases,' says Eizelle Taino, owner of hip boutique Indigo. 'Colour and style choices need to be more versatile, so that they can be applied through a broad range of wardrobe possibilities.'
Invest in basics that are versatile and will last season after season. Classic and timeless pieces should be the foundation of your wardrobe. 'You should invest in the items you'll wear the most, and there are certain items that should always look expensive,' says Lindsay.