Frugal Fashion

by Emma Roberts on 24 August 2010  |  3 comments
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Emma Roberts – lovemoney.com’s very own Gok Wan - re-creates three hot celebrity looks for under £20 in total.

Ever gazed in envy at the glossy pages of magazines wondering if you could ever look like your favourite celebrity? Ever sighed at your television screens wishing you could have their impeccable fashion styles? Well, wake up, unless you have their eye-watering budgets, you can’t!

But you can come pretty close if you know some frugal tips. Think of me as a female Gok Wan with a tighter budget and not so tight jeans.

I set myself the challenge of creating no less than three hot celebrity looks for under £20, by visiting my local British Salvation army charity shop and seeing what frugal fashion finds are waiting to be discovered.

Look One: Cheryl Cole’s Xfactor Dress

This dress that Cheryl Cole wore for her opening show of this season’s Xfactor, is fun and stylish.

But let’s face it; it probably cost the price of a small car.

I went hunting for a similar piece at my local charity shop and came up with this dress as a frugal alternative.

Although the style of my dress is slightly different to the one Cheryl wears, this beautifully bargain-priced piece reflects the leopard-print trend of this season.

But the best thing is, it only cost £9.25!

Look Two: Peaches Geldolf’s lace top

Check out this gorgeous top worn by Peaches Geldolf.

She’s working the delicate lace trend but I doubt the look is so delicate on her budget.

Fear not frugal fashionistas, as I managed to find a stunning similar top on my charity shop quest.

My version of Peaches’ style looks similar yet only cost £2.75.

That’s what I call a brilliant bargain!

The great thing about charity shops is that you can find some genuinely fashionable clothes and even rare pieces that few people have.

No wonder they’ve grown in popularity these past few years!

So what are you waiting for?

Go and check out your local shop today.

Or, if you don’t have time to venture to a charity shop, check out Oxfam online for some instant bargains.

Look Three: Tulisa’s floral dress

Nothing brightens up the dreary British summer months than a bright floral frock. Tulisa, from popular music group N-Dubz, looks fabulous in this floral dress.  

After a quick browse through the rails of the charity shop, I found one pretty similar but at a fraction of the price. The dress I chose has a bright floral pattern and left me feeling even brighter as it only cost £6.75.

So frugal-sceptics, I have successfully proven that you can create 3 hot celebrity looks for the grand total of £18.75!

Charity shop chic tips

But before you grab your purse and make a dash for your nearest charity shop, have a quick read of my top tips on how to make the most of your charitable visit.

1)      Location: Consider the location of your chosen frugal fashion hunting ground. If you’re going to a charity shop in a fairly affluent area, then chances are the prices will be dearer. However, the plus side is that there’s likely to be higher quality items and maybe even some top designer buys. Check out this website that lets you find charity shops in different areas.

2)      Don’t rush: Take your time when browsing through the rails. It can be tempting to dismiss clothes easily, but take a second look to see if you could customise them in any way. For example, simply adding a cheap flower clip, a brooch or a waist belt can really change a top or dress and make it look more expensive.

3)      Don’t get too bargain-happy: On the other hand, don’t buy things just for the sake that they’re cheap. This will mean you’ll just end up spending a lot of money on stuff you’ll never wear.

4)      Bring a friend: Like any clothes shopping trip, it’s often good if you have a second opinion, so don’t hesitate to bring a mate along for the frugal fashion experience!

So there you go, charity shops are great fashion outlets for cheap and stylish finds, so next time you’re on the high street pop into one; you may be impressed with what you find.