Have you ever walked around campus or just in the city centre and see a girl your age who looks a million dollars? Do you usually think “I could never afford those clothes” or “I wish I had her style”? The truth is, that girl probably doesn’t look good because she’s slim and pretty with shiny hair (although that usually helps), but she probably looks good because she follows, and knows how to wear, the recent trends shown on catwalks and worn by celebrities. In September and March every year some of the most prestigious and well known designers come together to show their creations at different fashion weeks across 4 different cities. If you follow the different fashion weeks you’ll know that what we see on those catwalks will soon be sported by the majority of girls next season. But how can a student afford to wear these couture pieces and follow the trends without spending their entire student loan? Just because you live on a budget because you’re a student doesn’t mean that you have to wear unstylish clothes.
Marc Jacobs S/S 13 Collection – New York Fashion Week – Marc Jacobs was one of the most talked about shows last week at New York Fashion week due to his stripy monochromatic designs.
The best place to look for the latest trends is the high street. Granted, sometimes that jacket from Topshop can be extortionately priced and that top from All Saints really isn’t worth the recommended retail price but with some knowledge of the recent trends and a little patience, some great finds can be right under your nose as most high street shops such as Topshop, Warehouse and Oasis base their clothes on the designs of runway shows. A good place to get reasonably priced clothes that still look good is H&M. There is always a wide range to choose from in H&M and the basics usually cost only a few pounds. Also H&M did collaborations with designers such as Donatella Versace last November or Marni in March, as well as the recent accessory collection by Anna Dello Russo that has just been released early in October. Also recently Topshop has collaborated with the designer JW Anderson. The collection includes a variety of quirky clothes and accessories with prices ranging from £1.99 to £129.99. With these collaborations you get the best of both worlds – a piece designed by a high-end designer for a fraction of the cost. Other affordable shops include New Look (great for shoes), Forever 21 and Dorothy Perkins.
This burgundy panelled dress from H&M is only £3.99 and is very on-trend this season
This blouse from the H&M Marni collection was only £59.99
This jumper from the JW Anderson x Topshop collection is only £69.99 and would look great this Halloween
Another good way to get the latest trends for less is to look online. Recently online clothing shops have been popping up all over the World Wide Web such as Boohoo.com and Missguided.co.uk. These sites don’t actually have physical shops so you’ll have to pay for the delivery charge but many of these sites provide fashionable pieces for a small price. Also always look out for a discount code online. That 10% off can be really handy sometimes.
This military style jacket with faux leather sleeves from missguided.co.uk achieves two must have trends this season
Although the economic crisis we are currently facing isn’t the best situation, there is one good thing that can come from it, the sales. Recently, shops have been having sales on pretty much all of the time because shops aren’t selling all of their stock as no one is buying it. However, they have to get rid of the clothes that are slowly going out of trend therefore they lower the prices of certain items or give a general discount like up to 20% off to entice customers into buying the clothes. Now sales occur nearly every month and once a sale ends, usually another one is just around the corner so bear that in mind when you see those boots and think “I need these NOW” because you never know when the price will drop.
These H! Henry Holland brogue wedge shoe boots at Debenhams were £45 but are now £33.75 in the current sale
So next time you go out and see someone sporting a style you like, don’t stare at her and feel immensely jealous. Instead take note of what she’s wearing and how she puts different pieces together. Also try and spot where she got her clothes from or instead of copying everything, try and find similar items in high street shops that suit you and your style so the outfit has a more personal touch.