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Dressing on a budget

Wednesday, May 27, 2009
 
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Evening dressing doesn’t need to cost you a fortune – the key is investing in pieces that will last you a life time rather than just one season.
 
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Fashion

Question:

Dear AWW Fashion,

I am on an extremely tight budget, I'm not the sort to go out and spend even $100 on an outfit. I am in need of a wardrobe makeover, what key pieces do I need for casual, work and evening wear? Deanna, Brisbane, QLD.

Answer:

With these tough economic times in full swing it is important to learn to dress and still look stylish on a budget for every occasion, whether it be for work, weekend or an evening out.

Work

Many women working in corporate industries often feel that they need to spend a lot on suits and are often reluctant to do so because this is not their outfit or style of choice. There are options that will not cost an arm and leg and still have you turning up 9-5pm looking chic and professional.

What you need:
Blazer
Trousers
Pencil skirt
1 vest
1 V neck knit
Pinafore style dress
2 shirts – one plain – one coloured
Trench Coat

Where to look:
These stores will have you looking chic on a budget for 9-5 dressing:
Cue: 1800 060 706
David Lawrence: 1800 100 366
French Connection: www.frenchconnection.com.au
Jacqui E: 1800 630 122
Portmans: 03 9429 2166
Sussan: 1300 363 351
Target: 1300 130 000

It is also worth having a look at designer factory outlets for these wardrobe staples – the above pieces are not seasonal fashion pieces they are carried by designers year round – and it is very likely that older styles will end up at factory outlet centre’s such as DFO or Birkenhead Point.

Weekend

Dressing for comfort is paramount on the weekend – but style should never be compromised. A good penny saving tip is to incorporate existing pieces from your wardrobe. Eg The trench coat worn during the week over your suit can be worn with a sweater and jeans for the weekend and your blazer can be worn with a t-shirt, jeans and a pair of converse for a relaxed yet stylish weekend look.

What you need:
Jeans
Polo neck sweater
Striped t shirt
Trainers eg: Converse
Scarf

Where to Look:
Country Road: 1800 801 911
General Pants: www.generalpants.com.au
Just Jeans: (03) 9420-0200
Kmart: 1800 634 251
Witchery: www.witchery.com.au

Evening

Look for timeless pieces that you can wear season after season. For example a Little Black Dress, Tuxedo suit, wrap dresses etc. It is important to pay attention to items that are cut well and flatter your figure. Evening dressing doesn’t need to cost you a fortune – the key is investing in pieces that will last you a life time rather than just one season.

Again you can dress up pieces from your weekend and work wardrobes, wear a blazer with jeans and a heel for dinner out with friends.

What you need:
Little Black Dress
Black pumps
Evening clutch
Diamantes
Opaque stockings

Where to Look:
Charlie Brown: (02) 9360-9001
Diva: (02) 9938-3311
Morrissey: 1800 722 390
Seduce: www.seduce.com.au
Strand bags: (02) 9479 7777

The AWW Fashion Team

YOUR SAY: How do you dress on a budget? Share your tips with us below...




 
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User comments
I have just started a new job in a small company and the dress code is smart casual - a big jump from my previous corporate style, any ideas on how I can meet in the middle with these two styles as I like to be dressy for work but don't want to be too over dressed with my new co-workers, and don't want to wear jeans every day.
My tips for buying clothes on a budget would be shopping at Target and Kmart at the end of the seasons. Don't forget to look at Millers, Best and Less, and other shops. Different shopping centres can cater to different age groups so for example I find Millers at Brookside more for older ladies, but the one at Stafford have "younger" clothes. Don't forget op shopping! Lifeline, Red Cross, the Salvos have shops in or near the CBD in most capital cities, and have "workwear" or dressier clothes at those particular ones. Shoes would be the main item I do pay for because my shoe size won't really change! With that there is something called the "Fusion" club for Williams, Mathers etc that you can get email discounts for. For more casual shoes have a look at Big W, Kmart, Payless.
word by mouth ,, go to STUDIO 10,,,,10 ROTHESAY ST MEADOWBANK , tues to sunday,,, end of lines , discontinued stock from here and overseas this place is REALLY a bargain buses turn up on weekends small to larger sizes at the moment there are clothes from $5 coats $50 also ,larger sizes

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