It’s not about the money…

Optimized-Screen Shot 2016-03-14 at 09.53.42 Optimized-Screen Shot 2016-03-14 at 09.53.49 Optimized-Screen Shot 2016-03-14 at 09.53.59

Often when choosing what to wear it’s the simplest option that is the most effective. As I get older I’ve realised that you don’t need a never ending budget to update your wardrobe, and I will go on the record as saying that friends of mine that have the littlest amount to spend on new clothes actually end up nearly always looking a million times better than girls who make shopping look like their job. I have actress friends who waitress to make ends meet who radiate style, and I know of other girls who can buy 5 designer handbags in a month but look no better. It’s not about the money – that may sound so trite, but when it comes to fashion I truly believe that you don’t need a big budget to look stylish.

One of my favourite outfits consists of a white t-shirt (mine is from Subdued in Rome but they also have a great e-commerce site), Topshop Leigh ripped jeans (I rarely wear jeans that aren’t Topshop), Adidas trainers and this little Nasty Gal biker jacket that retails for under £65. Of course I add a nod to some luxury with key investment pieces such as my Celine sunglasses (birthday present) and my Saint Laurent Sac De Jour handbag (Christmas 2014 present). You may not think it, but I’m actually quite a frugal girl and I like to save my money, I don’t see the appeal in buying things for the sake of it and if I do then it’s usually a more affordable Forever 21 spree, even Zara sprees can add up. I get a bigger thrill buying from the High Street, and you’ll find 90% of my clothes are from Zara or Topshop and the 10% that are higher end are nearly always bought in the sale, such as the Sandro jacket I got for my birthday. I think great style is the ability to mix and match a variety of brands to create a truly unique and authentic look.

I also think it’s a little sad when you lose the allure of special pieces, who really wants to be able to buy a new designer bag every month? The excitement would vanish and that’s no fun at all. Special items should be just that – special and cherished.

If you are on a budget and interested in a styling video I’d love to film a day shopping in vintage stores and Forever 21/Topshop and Zara to show you how to make vintage and high street pieces look just as (if not more) appealing than higher end finds. If you’d like to see this leave me a comment below – I’ll do handbag, jewellery, full outfit and shoes!

Buy my exact jeans here.

SHOP THE POST

Follow:

Comments

  1. Nazma
    March 14, 2016 / 11:06 am

    One of my favourite things about your blog/style is that you mix high street with designer. I sadly had to unfollow another blogger because as soon as she became popular all the high street stuff disappeared from her wardrobe and she even went as far as saying she was only going to be buying/blogging “luxury fashion”.

    • March 15, 2016 / 6:02 pm

      Ah that’s a shame, I think it’s important to have an eclectic mix with everything in life. Just like one day you can go to a nice restaurant for a meal doesn’t mean that other days you can’t make something simple at home or even indulge in the occasional Maccy D’s 🙂

  2. Gaya
    March 14, 2016 / 5:46 pm

    Hi Tijan! I’d love to see a styling video from you. That was an interesting post. Have a nice evening! XX

  3. MartaFons
    March 14, 2016 / 6:29 pm

    Couldn’t agree more. Again, i feels like its me whose typing this post. I’m spanish so its obvious that my wardrobe is basically Zara and other brands by the same company, but always on a low budget. We only have one topshop store here so I only visit that when in Ldn, and of course I keep an eye on pieces by Maje or Sandro too and always wait for the sales -makes it so much more exciting than just buying the thing straight away the first time you see it!
    PLEASE make that video asap!!! I will be waiting patiently with excitement for it 🙂 x

    • March 15, 2016 / 6:01 pm

      Ahh if Zara didn’t exist neither would 90% of my wardrobe! I will definitely try and film over the next week!

  4. a
    March 14, 2016 / 7:31 pm

    I agree completely, in fact I much prefer looks like yours with a mix than a full on designer look.

  5. March 14, 2016 / 8:36 pm

    Would love a styling video from you Tijan! Love how you utilize high street brands. I think there is def a greater feeling of accomplishment when you can make something affordable look expensive.

    • March 15, 2016 / 6:00 pm

      Totally agree – such a great feeling! x

  6. Camilla
    March 14, 2016 / 10:03 pm

    would love to see a styling video! ????

  7. Tracy
    March 18, 2016 / 8:14 am

    I’d enjoy seeing your fashion thought process in action.

  8. March 19, 2016 / 6:35 pm

    Agree! I feel like some people think style is the same as “buy designer things and you’ll be stylish” Style for me is combining different things and not just follow the current trends. Because if you just follow trends, you’re just going to look like everybody else. And how fun is that? I really like how an outfit you wear can be anything from Primark & Forever 21 to Céline.

    Xx Frida

  9. March 21, 2016 / 1:44 pm

    I totally agree! I shop in high-street stores such as H&M, New Look and Primark and I always find lovely items there! You don’t need a big budget to wear the nicest clothes and be stylish!

    Chichi
    http://chichi-writes.blogspot.co.uk/

  10. May 5, 2016 / 9:50 pm

    I love how honest you are. It is so refreshing to hear a perspective like this amongst the blogger community! I feel like bloggers are always about MORE MORE MORE, glad you can keep it real!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *