musings on fashion on a limited budget

anne

Further to my recent post on what I was thinking of getting for the australian autumn/winter, I have been doing a lot of thinking about what I want from my new items. I have identified the following issues
1. In style terms I suppose I am closest to a modern classic - I like tailored clothes. I'd love to live in sheath dresses and interestingly cut suits. However I am a SAHM!

2. In terms of what clothes are most flattering, I really feel best in tops that are quite tightly fitted. However the current fashion is for volume on top.

3. Some items I just will end up wearing, whether or not they are stylish, so I might as well get nice versions of them. eg in summer I wore my graphic tees a lot (yes, with no layers over) because sometimes I just am going to wear a T shirt. Similarly for winter I think I need a parka, a longish sweater and some long sleeved T shirts - because I know I will end up wearing them.

4. I'd like some items I buy to be, using Imogen's (I think) terminology heros, not just supporting acts. In summer only 3 things I bought really look like current fashions (a dress and 2 tops). I want a few things that look up to date (and I don't really like some things on Angie's autumn list, like ankle boots or boyfriend jackets)

I'll post more with specific questions, but for now, any comments?

16 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I have the same type of struggles Anne, I'm rebuilding my wardrobe and want to look current and try new things but it feels like a big risk with such a limited budget.

I'm always thinking, 'do I push my boundaries and try something new OR do I go for the pretty vintage item I know I will wear'.

I want my style to evolve but the stakes are greater when your budget is restricting.

For what its worth, your parka and long sleeve tees sound like essential MOTG basics to me. Is there anything on the spring summer list which you could make winter appropriate such as the denim shirt or flippy skirt?

16 years ago

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

I can sympathise with you Anne. Being a fellow Aussie at this time of the year when it starts getting a bit cooler you start looking to different outfits and realise maybe what you wore last winter wasnt so great. I say that if you have identified your style and it's what your comfortable in then base your decisions around that. I look alot at the current trends and wish I could wear them (volume tops) but being a short hourglass they just look terrible. My way around it was to buy a top with as much volume as I could handle in a classic shape (usually a T in a soft floaty fabric) and if it looked like too much going on I could put a bit of ruching in it at the bust or hem to give it a more structured look. Bottoms I always kept simple so always have a good starting point to build an outfit on.

In relation to budget, I just about live on E-Bay. I have brought many new pieces in the past few months that I wouldnt usually be able to afford (Witchery, Country Road, Jag etc.) and I find if you know what suits you most times you get a bargain you're totally happy with. These basic pieces you can jazz up with accessories and again E-Bay is great for this as you can find auctions for bulk lots of jewellery, scaves etc. for cheap so you get alot for not much. Dont forget the department stores (Target & K-Mart) for items. I was in K-Mart yesterday and tried on a jersey dress and leggings which I would never have even thought of before YLF.

Hope that kind of answers your question!

16 years ago

anne

Veteran

Julie,
you have exactly articulated what I was getting at - it is indeed that the stakes seem higher when the budget is lower because you can't afford mistakes. What's more, you want the absolute most bang for your buck!

I don't think I am fashion forward enough to go with the denim shirt yet, and haven't really got an idea of what you mean by the flippy skirt. I love skirts though, so am keener to hear more about that trend.

Puffenstuff, thanks for your detailed response too. Do you actually add ruching in yourself?

I'll have to look at E-bay. We have a Target where I live ( no Kmart) and I do get a lot of stuff there.

Thanks again!

16 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I think it's all about having a basic functioning wardrobe that you can add a few more trendy items to each season. I think you do this well, Anne.

16 years ago

Louise

Veteran

Anne do you have any summer things which you can layer during the winter? This winter i have mostly used my summer stuff but layered long sleeve ts underneath, added leggings/ tights and boots and perhaps a cardi, this has worked with dresses, sleeveless tops and also i have black shorts which i just pop a pair of black tights underneath My clams have also worked with nude tights and knee high boots. Then on top i have added long coat, hats and scarves and considering this has been the coldest English winter in years i have surprisingly been the warmest ever x
Eg summer http://i594.photobucket.com/al.....0_0264.jpg

Winter http://i594.photobucket.com/al.....re/002.jpg

16 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

If your pleather jacket is on it's way out, I'd replace that as top priority! Like, now.

You need a pair of closed shoes to wear with socks. If not ankle boots or fashion sneakers, you're looking at loafers. What is the hesitation with ankle boots, Anne?

Try a new style cardigan for over L/S T's.

16 years ago

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

Anne yes I add in my own ruching using elastic thread it's so simple! I'm only a beginner in the sewing stakes but know enough to do the basics. It makes such a difference to something I might otherwise toss out because it doesnt fit.

I was in Target the other day and nothing took my interest really - I find that their quality has gone down and price gone up. If you want a hand with finding things on E-Bay please do send me a message I will be more than happy to help!

I am a new convert to leggings - you can get them cheaply in Target may be worth trying on a pair with maybe a denim skirt and basic top and see how it looks?

16 years ago

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

wow Anne, I really hear you on this one!

I find being a SAHM means that things I absolutely love - dressy clothes and heels - just aren't even remotely practical and I really don't get invited to enough weddings or other dressy events to warrant the amount of dressy clothes that I have.

My winter wish list has been written, but my budget means that I simply cannot afford everything on my list.

So I've been trying to work out what I am looking for from any new purchases as well.

I've been browsing ebay a bit too - but I'm so scared of sizing that I really only buy things if I can get them very cheaply.

This has actually really made me look back at my shopping habits of the past - I really haven't put this much thought into it shopping before and it shows. A wardrobe full of heels and only 1 pair of flat closed in shoes really doesn't say SAHM now does it... and i've been one for nearly 6 years LOL

Its been interesting to look at different things in my wardrobe and its been a bit of a reality check to make me stop and think and I feel really empowered to do it now for the first time in my life.

16 years ago

agrace

Active Member

Anne, I can really identify with what you are saying. I'm a SAHM too who would love to wear heels and sheath dresses everyday but I can't! (I did LOVE wearing that stuff to work for the years prior to being a SAHM - loved it)

Anyways, now I feel the same sense of things needing to work hard to earn their keep and also just wanting value. I do need a few nice things but not nearly what I used to need. I think the constant struggle to find out my SAHM style has caused me to do a lot of buying and returning (that and it is hard to shop with two kids under 4)

Something that is helping me a lot is thinking about cost per wear. I'm just trying to be increasingly aware of what my cost per wear on items is and trying to predict it when I buy something.
Anyways. Nothing really valuable to add to the conversation per say but just wanted to chime in to say I'm there with you and enjoy reading thoughts on this topic.

Oh, and I am endlessly thankful for the inspiration Angie provided with all of the MOTG outfits. Those are in my head more than she probably knows whenever I'm out shopping. So so helpful!

16 years ago

anne

Veteran

Thanks ladies for all the thoughtful comments and I am sorry to take a while to get back to this. I am afraid I chose an early night over YLF last night.
Khris - you are right, Since joining YLF I do have a good collection of basics - for instance I don't really need any more new bottoms.
Louise - I tried clams with boots today (thanks) and yes, have a few summer dresses that I could layer up in the way you describe for winter

Angie - I will still wear my pleather jacket but it is cracking quite a bit. It is over 8 years old. I will start looking out for replacements.
I presume your comment about covered shoes was in reference to my other thread where I was discussing mary janes? I am keen on the idea of cons, but the cost over here is a bit much. Don't know about loafers, but maybe brogues? ( I loved them in 1990! so comfy) . I think my antipathy to ankle boots stems from both a concern about their leg shortening potential and not really being such a fan of many aspects of 80's fashion.

Puffenstuff - I appreciate the offer of help with e-bay. I may get back to you on that - still a bit step for me. As for leggings I bought some last spring and really enjoying updating my early summer outfits with them. While it has mostly been too hot the last couple of months, I am looking forward to getting back into them now the weather is cooling down.

Theresa and Agrace - thanks for chiming in and letting me know that all this is of interest to you and resonates in your personal experience. I agree that PPW and the MOTG formulas are really helpful concepts

Thanks again!

16 years ago

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

Anne I was just on ebay and noticed there were quite a few Cons on there going fairly cheaply... Some ended before I could get here, but there's more...

http://clothing.shop.ebay.com......acat=63889

16 years ago

JuliaInGermany

Active Member

Anne, as for dressing classic AND mom-appropriate I know what you mean. What helped me was when I realized that there is a difference between a certain style (classic, natural, sporty etc.) and the level of formality you need to dress for (casual, formal, business etc). When I realized that wearing classic pieces is not the same as dressing formal it was a huge help.

I found lots of great ways to dress mom-appropriate and be true to my style. For example I like to wear jeans with a t-shirt or button-down and a fitted yet casual jacket (like a leather or corduroy blazer or a denim-style jacket). It's my casual version of a pant suit. I would never consider wearing converse sneakers or graphic t-shirts just because I am a mom. It's just not my style. Smart loafers and knitted tops or button-downs are as versatile and practical for playing in the sandpit. And I also prefer a trenchcoat or a colourfull woollen coat over a parka (though I do have a fitted raincoat with a hood, but I consider it gear and it's strictly for rainy days only). I think you can come up with lots more options for casual classic pieces. Considering that you are on a budget I wouldn't spend money on clothes that are not the style you long for.

I hope this helps a bit.

16 years ago

Anonymous

For your classic style, how about a blazer or knit blazer shaped jacket? I find lots of them from AT and other good brands in second hand shops, so don't mind everyday wear and tear on them. I like them fitted but roll up the sleeves to show the lining boy-friend style. The knit versions can probably be washed. i have an old one of those from Lands End but I think they are gaining popularity.

16 years ago

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