Tuesday, June 3, 2014

The Secret To Affordable Designer Clothing

By Lila Bryant


The fashion magazines are filled with spreads showing models in stunning outfits. Then, of course, you read the captions and see how much each outfit actually costs. Luckily you don't have to sell your car, your house and a kidney to be able to wear big-name brands. You just need to know the secret to affordable designer clothing.

The people who can normally afford to spend thousands of dollars on a dress or a pair of jeans can be divided into two general categories. The first is the type of person who slavishly follows every trend and only wears the very latest ranges. This kind of person tends to be someone with no sense of style and can seem like someone with very little class who is desperate to impress. It's better to look as if you belong in the second category, which is the type of person who buys classic pieces that will last for many seasons and for whom the quality is more important than whether everyone can see the brand logo.

One of the easiest ways to afford expensive labels is to wait for the end-of-season sales. There are also sales during other times of the year, such as the beginning of January. Then stock up on classic items that you can wear next season too or even better, find basics that will work in summer as well as in winter.

Choosing second-hand clothes is a good option too. Look in stores that sell pre-owned clothing, at flea markets and in charity shops. Alternatively, check online suppliers to see what they have in stock. It's possible to find an item that has been worn only once or twice and pay only a few dollars, where it would have cost hundreds or thousands of dollars if you bought it new.

There's no reason to be ashamed of second-hand clothes. After all, both Reese Witherspoon and Penelope Cruz received their Academy Awards while dressed in stunning vintage gowns from the Fifties, Witherspoon's by Dior and Cruz's by Balmain. One of the most admired Oscar gowns of all time was the one Julia Roberts wore when she won her award. Her dress came from Valentino's collection from nine years before and she had to have it altered so that it would fit her.

It's best to avoid fake designer items. Counterfeiting is a crime and supporting this industry is not very ethical. Besides, real fashionistas can spot a fake from a mile away.

Supporting only the famous couture houses is the sign of an unimaginative dresser. Instead, keep an eye out for the work of young designers. Their designs are often more striking and much less expensive.

A final trick is to learn how to mix and match expensive items with ones that you got from cheaper retail chains. Sometimes the only way to tell the difference between a T-shirt that cost two dollars and one that set you back two hundred is to look at the label on the inside. It's better to invest in a pair of designer sunglasses.




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