Budget style update – Part One
There are various things you can do to update your personal style on a budget – and these are, most of the time, things Vogue, Elle or Glamour will already have taught you. So instead of giving you a stern lecture about how “accessories can change up even the most basic of outfits”, this week I’m going to do a daily look at the stores you can look to for quick, cheap (ish) updates, and the looks they’re particularly good for. Number one? New Look (and not just because of the name).
New Look is one of those stores that most Irish people won’t be all that familiar with, because its stores tend to be located somewhat outside the shopping epicentres, but you can shop online with very little hassle, and they stock a huge range (if you’ll excuse the pun) of both maternitywear and plus sizes.
But what is it good for? Well, I’ve long been a fan of New Look for those embellished items: sequined jackets, shiny, seasonal blouses and T-shirts, and their shoes – which won’t survive marathons, but are cheap and always on-trend. Check out Ciara’s patent booties for a good example. While you won’t necessarily go to New Look for quality, long-lasting basics like jeans and coats (I’ve always found their selection a little ill-fitting and not particularly well made), you can happily stock up on items that are that little bit too “on-trend” for you to bother spending hundreds on.
Cute prints? Check. Even cuter knitwear? Check. Will you want to be wearing this in family photographs for three or four years? Probably not. But that’s the beauty of disposable fashion. And yes, I know it’s probably hideously unfashionable to discuss disposability in such relaxed terms (in these straitened times, yawn), but facts are facts and polyester is polyester and just won’t last more than a year. If it does, you can do the charitable thing and bring it into your local Oxfam (speaking of which, check out Blanaid’s TV debut and prepare to be wowed by what Oxfam on Dublin’s South Great George’s St has to offer).
On top of everything else, New Look is fun – colours are bright, influences are varied and music is just loud enough to make you feel enthused without wanting to make you run for the hills (not looking at any store in particular, ahem, A¦Wear on Grafton St).
My top picks? Shoes, plus-sized knitwear and embellished shrugs/jackets.
Tomorrow’s focus: Dublin’s best second-hand stores. (If you’re somewhere that’s not Dublin – heaven forbid – feel free to e-mail me on rosemary.maccabe [at] gmail.com with your top picks and I’ll publish them forthwith!)
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1missmilki
wrote on 12 October 2009 at 13:07
I discovered New Look when it opened in our local shopping centre a few years ago. Initially I went a bit mad with the buying cheap crap I’d never wear (especially loads of shoes which hurt my feet!) but I’m being a bit more selective now. They do have some great bargains, especially if you search the sale rails (there’s always a sale rail in my local one anyway). And they’re brilliant for accessories. I hadn’t realised that the website shipped to Ireland, I don’t think they did before, so thanks for that!
2Coastal Aussie
wrote on 13 October 2009 at 13:04
I particularly like that lower right-hand picture. All the roundy body bits are covered, but it’s kinda snuggly sexy too.
3rosemary
wrote on 13 October 2009 at 15:56
Yeah New Look’s stuff at the moment is particularly great, I was so impressed with the selection. Must plan a trip there as well… (oh my wallet!)