MONEY VS STYLE
Fashion is a multi-billion-dollar industry that has considerable impact on the way ordinary people dress and present themselves. Apparently, anyone with money can have easier access to high fashion. If you ask me if style is relatable to money my answer is definitely NO. For me it is sad that many fashion influencers ( bloggers, media or even instagram ) are promoting the opposite. Despite fashion being capitalism's favourite child, style has nothing to do with money. Of course, if you spend £10,000 and you still can't make your outfit look stylish then you can successfully consider yourself as a major failure. For me the drill is to pull out a stylish outfit when your budget is limited. Don't get me wrong, I love high fashion but I feel like sometimes it sends the wrong message that in order to be pretty and popular, you must have the newest outfits and the latest brands. Fashion can easily be a trap as the media that project what is hot and what is not are promoting an impossible lifestyle for the ordinary people to keep up with. I don't understand how fashion is becoming so expensive when the global economy is slowing down. The thing is that the moral "you get what you pay for" is starting to fade because everyone is trying to earn the shit out of this industry. If you are born in the 90s you remember that back in the days Zara was the "cheap'' solution. Nowadays even Zara is expensive.
IS KIM KARDASHIAN A FASHION ICON?
BEFORE AFTER
A nice example of how fashion can be a trap would be Kim Kardashian before and after she became famous. Kim K went from no style at all to one of the most influential people in the fashion industry. If we are to comment on those two outfits of hers before and after she got money and fame for me they are both a disaster. The second dress which is Givenchy haute couture is considered phenomenal and after that it became a trend. Let me tell you, I can wrap you on this lace fabric and put you on some high waisted underwear real quick for £20. Imagine if a regular person wore this sheer dress before it was a trend exposing all this nudity! She would be told all the bad names in the book. But, of course as we confuse money with style now Kim Kardashian is a fashion icon. As for the first outfit on the picture I have no words to describe this ''clownish dress'' . I am sorry if any of you love her or admire her style I don't want to offend anyone I am just expressing my opinion. I understand that style can evolve and I appreciate that she is doing a great job "promoting" herself and her family. However, I can't stand it when people say that she is fashion icon because for me all she does is breaking the bank for Balmain, Givenchy and other high end designers.
BALMAIN FOR H&M/ TACKY OR GORGE?
Another example of how we confuse style with money and high end designers would be the collaboration of H&M and Balmain. When something is designer it doesn't necessarily mean that it is stylish. For me style is about being unique it is not about everyone buying the same designer stuff because they retail in a more accessible price. Not that I didn't like the Balmain for H&M collection in fact there where pieces that I really liked. However I didn't buy anything because not only there was no way to queue in order to give them my f***** money but also I would really feel embarrassed being around people who fight over a dress.
I was speechless when I saw this short video which shows shoppers fight at H&M over the Balmain Collection!
YOU CAN BE STYLISH ON BUDGET... IM THE LIVING PROOF OF THAT!
Here are some of my secrets on how to be stylish when your budget is limited.
1. Find a colour palette and stick with it. If your wardrobe is harmonious then it's easier to style your outfits.
2. Basics are key. Basics are the foundation on which my wardrobe is built.
3. Re-sell unused clothes. Open a depop account and start selling. This will help you make a little pocket money to spend on new clothes.
4. Invest on classic pieces. The worst mistake that you can do is spending a lot of money on a trendy item.
5. Learn how to accessorize. Accessories can really change up or add something to your overall look.
6. Last but not least shop the budget-wise way.
2. Basics are key. Basics are the foundation on which my wardrobe is built.
3. Re-sell unused clothes. Open a depop account and start selling. This will help you make a little pocket money to spend on new clothes.
4. Invest on classic pieces. The worst mistake that you can do is spending a lot of money on a trendy item.
5. Learn how to accessorize. Accessories can really change up or add something to your overall look.
6. Last but not least shop the budget-wise way.
FROM NOW ON SALE RACKS SHOULD BE YOUR NEWFOUND FRIENDS.
Sales are amazing but you need to be very selective and careful. Don't buy something only because it is cheap. Outlet stores and thrift stores are also a great way to find really inexpensive clothes. To be quite honest, I prefer searching for sale items online. I feel like the sale section in the retail stores is always messy and I find it hard to appreciate the items when I see them on the floor. My favourite place to search for sale items is ASOS. It is my favourite online store because not only they have an amazing delivery and returns policy but also you can find real gems on their sale section. My little tip for ASOS would be to create a wish list of the items you like to see when their price is reduced and buy them for cheaper. Ebay and Etsy are also great because they offer a variety of really nice stuff for low prices. Lastly,Primark is a paradise on earth but lets talk about it on another post.
( Click on the sale icon above to go directly to the ASOS sale section)
( Click on the sale icon above to go directly to the ASOS sale section)
To conclude, I don't say that anyone who spends a lot of money on their clothes has no style or that what their doing is wrong. If that is what makes you happy and you can afford it then of course you can spend a fortune. I am not saying that I don't spend money on clothes because that's a lie. What I personally try to do is to shop on a budget. My advise would be to try and appreciate your money and be really considerate when you shop because style has nothing to do with how much you spend.
I hope that this post was useful and it is not just me blabbing about what I find right and what I find wrong.
I hope that this post was useful and it is not just me blabbing about what I find right and what I find wrong.