When rifling through the spectacular offerings at vintage fashion store Reign on Oxford's Cowley Road, I realised that the once definitive boundaries between style and savings have now been conveniently blurred and that a limited budget was no barrier to achieving top to toe glamour. From a silver dress that invoked the glory days of the 1920s flapper, to the baby pink pleated skirt and cream cardi combo that screams tennis chic, every outfit du mode is yours for the taking at prices that would put the high street to shame.
Delving into the depths of your wash basket in the hope last year's item
of the moment will make a timely reappearance is not something any of
us want to admit doing and, thankfully, there are a number of creative
ways to upgrade your
fashion status to 'catwalk cool'. Here's how:
By Clodagh Foelster
at 8:39AM,
9 months ago
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Fashion
OK, let's be honest...who doesn't? Women want their own bodies to look like one and men want a woman with a body resembling them. I am, of course, talking about the Victoria's Secret Angels, hot on the heels of the debut shop opening just around the corner from the Olympic Stadium (and just in time for the opening of the Olympics). So, while very few of us will ever reach the physical perfection of these glamourous women, at least we can now wear the stylishly affordable lingerie without having to fund a trip to the US to do so!
Of course, as none of us are Gisele Bundchen or Adriana Lima, just because we can buy certain lingerie doesn't mean we should! While
the flimsiest straps of material can look stunning on their
almost-perfect bums, the rest of us could be cutting it a bit close -
literally! Remember, these models are paid to look beautiful and to make
clothes (or in this case lingerie) look amazing. In the same way that
not many of us would wear the eye-popping masterpieces we see making
their way down the catwalk every Fashion Week until they've been
adjusted to more wearable styles, the same can be said for lingerie.
By Clodagh Foelster
at 8:18AM,
10 months ago
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Fashion
It's that time of year again – time to dig out the flip flops, invest in some new clothes and buy some new books. That's right, the summer holiday season is finally upon us. There are all sorts of options available to holidaymakers these days, whatever your budget is. It's fair to say that many of us are on a slightly reduced budget these days but that doesn't seem to have stopped us.
The rise of the 'staycation' is very much a 21st Century trend, with
families or groups of friends realising that there is plenty to do right
here in Britain.
For others, no amount of austerity is going to
stop them from enjoying a week or two in a foreign land. Trips to Europe
are still very popular and there are plenty of money-saving deals to be
found.
But wherever you take a break this year, having the
perfect summer wardrobe is almost as important as the holiday itself.
When
the sun starts to come after months of cold and dark, it's easy to rush
to the shops in a frenzy of summer shopping but this is when we tend to
make our biggest fashion mistakes. We're so excited by the prospect of
some sun we end up with a load of tat we never use. So, before you go
pre-holiday shopping, bear these fashion faux pas in mind and try to
avoid them!
By MaterialGirlGuest Blogger
at 8:36AM,
11 months ago
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Fashion
Most people use online shopping to save on their groceries - even our own
voucher research found that 81% of shoppers used discount codes for food shopping - but a new study has found that, over the last year, online clothes shopping has hit a new high and is continuing to be more popular.
In fact, in the UK, 44% of shoppers shop for clothing at online stores
at least once a month; 3% even admit to shopping for clothes online on a
daily basis! So, why the rise in popularity?
Well, let's be honest. Price is a major factor. While 10% of British
shoppers spend more than £500 a year on clothing, the more palatable
average (for most of us) is closer to £230. Obviously, we all want more
for our money and the internet is the place to go.
Interestingly enough, the research from
Cotton Council International's biennial research The Global Lifestyle Monitor Survey (GLM) also
discovered that, while we want to save on spending, we don't want to
scrimp on quality. Most people would rather spend a little more (little
being the operative word) for better quality; ie something that's going
to last more than five minutes (or one wash!)
By Clodagh Foelster
at 8:30AM,
12 months ago
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Money Saving Tips
Time is drawing near for Royal Ascot. This shining example of the Sport of Kings has long been the premier social event of the summer season. Since its founding in 1711 by Queen Anne, eleven monarchs have lent patronage to the Royal racecourse. Times have changed over the years and fashion with it yet the expectations for dress in the Royal Enclosure has remained a pinnacle of conservative opulent fashion. Unfortunately there has been a gradual relaxation in the rigidity of dress for patrons over the years and the higher-ups have noticed, with growing disdain. For the first time in its 300 year history, attendees to the Royal Enclosure are being handed a dress code complete with a pretty picture book for guidance.
By klett3
at 12:54PM,
a year ago
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Fashion
The Spring/Summer catwalks heralded a new stance on femininity, all pretty pastels, womanly silhouettes, feminine tailoring and sugary sweet prints. The new season look is wearable and covetable, from crisp white shirts at Jil Sander to retro prints at Prada and full on razzle dazzle at Marchesa. In summary, it's a great season to be a woman!
And, as we're lucky enough to have the best high street in the world (if
we do say so ourselves!) on our doorsteps, we bring you the
comprehensive cheat's guide to getting the spring/summer look on a
budget – bring on the sunshine!
By SaishaPottsGuest Blogger
at 8:39AM,
a year ago
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Fashion
