Every woman’s dream is to be the proud owner of a Louis Vuitton purse and to glide into a room in a red soled pair of Louboutins. Life on a student’s shoe string budget with a staple cereal diet renders these a fantasy. I simply cannot afford designer clothes or even the Country Road necessities (that’s what I call them). Unfortunately, “I’m a broke student” is not a phrase we can print on t-shirts to excuse the 5 day a week jeans and sneakers look. So the age old question for students remains; does style and affordability exist on the same plane? I’m here to tell you that it can, it only needs for you to be a little more creative. Before I begin I might want to let ya’ll know that I’m guilty of the 5 day jeans look too sometimes (ok maybe 3 days). I’m still just a student, its hard out here. That being said here’s my guide to the stylish and thrifty student;
· Get familiar with the department store and mall sales. These stores aren’t pricey but if you can buy it at half price even better. Google them, ask around, get informed. Most people shop at places department stores so be sure to pick with a discerning eye. There’s nothing worse than wearing the exact same item as 3 other people at the same party. Cringe.
· Vintage stores and second hand shops. Best kept affordable shopping secret, in my opinion. I’m planning to scour the city for all its vintage hideouts before the year is out. The wonderful thing about second hand shops is the surprising level of quality in some of the pieces. Also, they solve the department store ‘same-clothes’ dilemma. There are racks upon racks of beautiful, unique clothes priced at next to nothing. Most of my favourite fashionistas love these shops and that’s all the motivation I need. The good ones are the two Hospice Shops along Louis Botha Avenue and the other two on Main Street in Melville.
· Markets. Jozi is littered with these bustling lively places with little treasures that are fairly affordable. Sunday markets are the best; Arts on Main and Rosebank Rooftop Market. Just like with the vintage stores be thorough because you may just be pleasantly surprised. The newly launched Neighbourgoods Market on 70 Juta Street also has a small apparel section on the first floor. The great thing about markets is that you get to interact with people while you shop and eat in a very chilled setting.
· Investing in key seasonless pieces. And by investing I mean reach down deep into your pocket while also considering how often you plan to wear the item. You should expect to pay a little more that R130 for a pair of jeans that you wear every second day. Just saying. You can afford to skim on the t-shirts and vests (I know I do) but not on the trench coat you wear all winter. They always say try to go for the neutral tones that go with everything, but what am I to do with that breathtaking green blazer I peeped? But they’re right, neutral tones are safe because they can be combined with any colour.
· Swapping with friends and family. My girlfriends and I honestly haven’t tried this one before mostly because I actually like most of my clothes but it sounds pretty do-able. Swapping clothes doesn’t have to be permanent; you can rotate items around the group. This idea involves no money at all, just some willing participants. Plus my dad’s old blazers and waistcoats are amazeballs. No, I don’t swap clothes with my father.
Okay, that’s all I have for now. I’m of the opinion that you can shop practically anywhere if you know your style and what you’re trying to say with your look. I’m unlikely to find an LV shopper or a pair of Lady Daf Louboutins in my closet anytime soon (what with my staple cereal diet) but it doesn’t make me any less determined to be a stylin’ broad.
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