Recessionista
April 7th 2009 09:27
Recessionista Fashion
It seems that no-one has escaped the fall out of the GFC. From the number of billionaires on the planet dropping to Chanel reducing staff numbers by 200 at the end of last year, even the industry everyone said was immune to economic change appears to be suffering. And if the likes of the house of Chanel is feeling the pinch, what’s to become of the mere little fashion follower like me in Sydney? Becoming a Recessionista, that’s what!
I defy any economic situation to deter me from shopping and caring about fashion, although I can admit the current climate has made me reign in the spending. So as I suffer through not having bought any new shoes for over two months, I began to think about some easy ways to get through the crisis without my style faltering. And although it may require us shopaholics to stay away from Dior for a few months, it will ensure fashion can still reign supreme in the meantime.
Here are my recessionista ideas!
Discover the joys of outlet shopping and op shopping if you haven’t already. Many a savvy fashionista can admit to hitting the outlets when pay day seems years away, and op shopping has long been a pastime of the truly trendy. If you’re prepared to put in the hard yards in these places, the rewards can be huge. Note – when op shopping, the further out of town you can get, the better. Everyone with a hint of style is switched on to these goldmines of retro wonders, so you have to get in quick to hit gold in the capital cities’ op shops. Head a little further out and it is likely that fashion mecca awaits.
Sign up for sales alerts. There are so many dedicated shoppers out there who are willing to do the work for you, that you can have weekly sales alerts delivered right to your inbox. On that note, shop online! Who hasn’t discovered the joy of e-Bay? Even if you refuse to go down the second hand route (although I strongly suggest you reconsider – see recessionista tip number one) shopping online for new clothes can still save you a bucketload. Back to the sales alerts – keep an eye on your weekend paper’s fashion pages too, often they’re good enough to alert you to the sales and discounts coming up the following week.
Have a clothes swap with your like-sized friends. I defy you to find any woman who doesn’t detest half of what she has in her wardrobe at any given moment. If you’re sure you’re willing to give up a piece of clothing to the point you’d be okay seeing your best friend in it, why not get your like-sized friends together and have a clothes swap? Sure you may end up offended if no-one wants to take your cast offs, but you could end up with the killer pencil skirt of your friends that you always eye off.
Accessorise! Accessories can change the entire appearance of an outfit. Get some great new necklaces, chunky bangles and big belts and revamp your current ensembles. However, in true recessionista style, as much as you’d love to be buying your new sparklies at Gucci or Chanel, restrict yourself to Diva. Most people won’t be able to tell the difference anyway. I do not however recommend that you buy fake designer jewellery. You will only depress yourself. Wait until your finances allow you to be back in the game for the real stuff.
Save! Oh what a lame addition to the list I am sure you are saying, but putting even a small amount away every week means that you may not be shopping as regularly as you’re used to, but you’ll still be able to hit the high street totally guilt-free at some point in the not-so distant future, and for a few delicious hours you can pretend the economy is just dandy. At least you’ll be doing your bit to help stimulate it too!
And my final suggestion, although not really fashion related, still thrifty - have a pre-Saturday night soiree at home. Buy a couple of bottles of bubbly, have the girls around and get ready together for a night on the town. Having a few party drinks at home saves on the exy mark ups that all bars are famous for, and then you can share a cab – savings all around! Who knows, you may have so much fun at home you could even end up staying in and then imagine how much money you’ll save!
It seems that no-one has escaped the fall out of the GFC. From the number of billionaires on the planet dropping to Chanel reducing staff numbers by 200 at the end of last year, even the industry everyone said was immune to economic change appears to be suffering. And if the likes of the house of Chanel is feeling the pinch, what’s to become of the mere little fashion follower like me in Sydney? Becoming a Recessionista, that’s what!
I defy any economic situation to deter me from shopping and caring about fashion, although I can admit the current climate has made me reign in the spending. So as I suffer through not having bought any new shoes for over two months, I began to think about some easy ways to get through the crisis without my style faltering. And although it may require us shopaholics to stay away from Dior for a few months, it will ensure fashion can still reign supreme in the meantime.
Here are my recessionista ideas!
Discover the joys of outlet shopping and op shopping if you haven’t already. Many a savvy fashionista can admit to hitting the outlets when pay day seems years away, and op shopping has long been a pastime of the truly trendy. If you’re prepared to put in the hard yards in these places, the rewards can be huge. Note – when op shopping, the further out of town you can get, the better. Everyone with a hint of style is switched on to these goldmines of retro wonders, so you have to get in quick to hit gold in the capital cities’ op shops. Head a little further out and it is likely that fashion mecca awaits.
Sign up for sales alerts. There are so many dedicated shoppers out there who are willing to do the work for you, that you can have weekly sales alerts delivered right to your inbox. On that note, shop online! Who hasn’t discovered the joy of e-Bay? Even if you refuse to go down the second hand route (although I strongly suggest you reconsider – see recessionista tip number one) shopping online for new clothes can still save you a bucketload. Back to the sales alerts – keep an eye on your weekend paper’s fashion pages too, often they’re good enough to alert you to the sales and discounts coming up the following week.
Have a clothes swap with your like-sized friends. I defy you to find any woman who doesn’t detest half of what she has in her wardrobe at any given moment. If you’re sure you’re willing to give up a piece of clothing to the point you’d be okay seeing your best friend in it, why not get your like-sized friends together and have a clothes swap? Sure you may end up offended if no-one wants to take your cast offs, but you could end up with the killer pencil skirt of your friends that you always eye off.
Accessorise! Accessories can change the entire appearance of an outfit. Get some great new necklaces, chunky bangles and big belts and revamp your current ensembles. However, in true recessionista style, as much as you’d love to be buying your new sparklies at Gucci or Chanel, restrict yourself to Diva. Most people won’t be able to tell the difference anyway. I do not however recommend that you buy fake designer jewellery. You will only depress yourself. Wait until your finances allow you to be back in the game for the real stuff.
Save! Oh what a lame addition to the list I am sure you are saying, but putting even a small amount away every week means that you may not be shopping as regularly as you’re used to, but you’ll still be able to hit the high street totally guilt-free at some point in the not-so distant future, and for a few delicious hours you can pretend the economy is just dandy. At least you’ll be doing your bit to help stimulate it too!
And my final suggestion, although not really fashion related, still thrifty - have a pre-Saturday night soiree at home. Buy a couple of bottles of bubbly, have the girls around and get ready together for a night on the town. Having a few party drinks at home saves on the exy mark ups that all bars are famous for, and then you can share a cab – savings all around! Who knows, you may have so much fun at home you could even end up staying in and then imagine how much money you’ll save!
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