Save or Splurge? Fashionable Finds for Savvy Students
BY LOUISE LAO
VOLUME 42, ISSUE 16 | FEB 02 2009
If you’re anything like me — a shopaholic with a lack of funding — fashion can be fun, but sometimes overwhelming. If you sometimes find yourself debating whether or not to trade a week’s worth of dinner for a pair of heels you can’t stop thinking about, this week’s column is dedicated to you. I love to shop, but my meager college student budget determines what I can actually spend money on versus what I should buy for less. Here are my thoughts on what to splurge on, what to save on, and where to get it.
Basics: American Apparel is practically ubiquitous here at UC Irvine. Because I love the quality of their products and I can’t stand logos in my wardrobe, I’m practically addicted. Unfortunately, I never knew about buying American Apparel from Amazon until recently. Sellers on Amazon carry a few of the brand’s top sellers, including the cozy hoodies and many students’ favorite deep v-neck tee.
Jeans: Jeans can be tricky, depending on style. Because I am petite, I am willing to spend extra on jeans that actually fit. Interestingly, the pairs of jeans that fit me best are the 10-inch ankle opening skinny jeans by J Brand and some inexpensive dark skinnies from Forever 21. By “dark,” I mean that they used to be black, but faded to dark blue in some places, as is expected when you buy jeans (or a lot of things) from Forever 21. I actually like the effect, but my jeans’ devolution just goes to show that you get what you pay for.
Swimwear: One word: Target. This megastore sells plenty of swimwear for less than $20 apiece. For instance, I bought a black bandeau top and bikini bottom, both adorned with gold pyramid studs, for $14.99 each.
Victoria’s Secret also sells mix-and-match pieces for around $20 each. I’ve noticed that most bikinis, high-end or low-end, look exactly the same. You might notice a bit of a difference in quality, but why buy a suit that you would be too paranoid about ruining in the sand and surf? Plus, living this close to the beach, it’s always a good idea to have an arsenal of swimsuits ready in case of an impromptu trip.
Speaking of variety, save some cash by buying solid-color bikini bottoms. This way, if you decide to spend a bit more on the top, you can save on a bottom that compliments it.
Shoes: Every girl should invest in a pair of black pumps to wear to anything from dinner to an interview. These could last for years and years, so splurging on a pair of fabulous heels should be guilt-free. Flats, on the other hand, are a different story. I always have a pair of black flats circulating my shoe wardrobe, but no matter what I do, they always wear down after a few months. Don’t spend too much on these. My favorite places for low to mid-priced flats are Urban Outfitters, Aldo and Nordstrom. If you’re looking for trendier heels and platforms, web sites like Delia*s, Alloy and Go Jane have great finds for under $100.
Jewelry and accessories: Forever 21 has the best selection of trendy jewelry, with most pieces under $10 each. Unfortunately, I’ve noticed that everything silver I buy from that place turns a rather unpleasant shade of copper within a few weeks. Flea markets, thrift stores and eBay are fantastic places to find vintage jewelry — even real gold and silver — for low prices.
Bags: Every girl should have three essential bags: A tote or carryall, casual purse or shoulder bag and a clutch or small purse for parties. Out of those, I think the everyday purse is the most splurge-worthy. Finding the perfect bag can be time-consuming, but once you find something versatile, chic and suited to your personality, spending a little more cash somehow doesn’t seem like such a problem.
On the other hand, don’t spend much on party clutches or bags that you’ll haul to the beach or to class. Carryalls can get dirty or worn down rather easily while clutches and small bags, especially beaded bags, can be bought vintage.
Most importantly, never, ever buy fakes! I shouldn’t have to explain the obvious reasons (terrible quality, profits from sales often support organized crime and even terrorism, general tackiness, etc). If you’re looking for a designer bag at a discounted price, don’t even think about trying the shameless knockoffs on eBay — instead, try a consignment shop or wait until the end of each season to find them on sale at department stores and department store Web sites.
Shop wisely but don’t hesitate to invest in some quality pieces. Be confident enough to experiment with different styles, but don’t spend too much on something that will only last a season.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
New University 1/19/09, Column #2
Swing Back Into Spring Styles With Soft Tones and Do-It-Yourself Fashions
BY LOUISE LAO
VOLUME 42, ISSUE 14 | JAN 19 2009
Back home in the Bay Area, I never thought about shopping for spring and summer clothing until March when, if I were lucky, the temperature would slowly climb to the cool mid-60s. Here in Irvine, however, it’s mid-January and a ridiculous 85 degrees. Even though I’m wearing denim cutoffs, I feel like I’m about to pass out as I trudge up a slight slope in Aldrich Park.
What does this tell me (besides that I’m ludicrously out of shape)? It’s time to shop for the new season.
This spring, I’m determined to bring some color into my dark, gloomy winter wardrobe, which is currently dominated by black and gray. I’m definitely looking forward to experimenting with different color palettes, fabrics and shapes.
Soft tones in creamy, nude shades were big on the runways this season, as seen in the parade of sandy-colored gowns worn at this year’s Golden Globes. Stella McCartney mixed pieces in shades of nude, ivory and peach, to breathe new life into colors that would seem muted against basic black.
In typical springtime fashion, shades reminiscent of Easter eggs have re-emerged, but this time, more dusty than pastel: ice blue, pale rose and light mint green. I plan on pairing these sweetly colored pieces with faded, distressed denim for a fresh look that won’t make me look like a marshmallow Peep.
Alternatively, highlighter hues lit up several runways, including several outfits in Alexander Wang’s Miami Vice-inspired show and Luella Bartley’s self-declared “Sunday best on acid” collection. While Wang employed clean lines and a 1980s vibe in his designs, Bartley’s cheerful designs have a ladylike look with a kooky, frilly twist. If you’re reluctant to sport a head-to-toe supercharged ensemble, take inspiration from the pieces from Marc by Marc Jacobs and mix khaki with brights.
I plan to continue my love affair with pyramid studs this season. I’ve adored the things since my high school days when I lived in studded belts and band tees and half my hair would change from Fuchsia Flash to Vampire Red. I even studded my Converse. Now that I’m slightly more mature (and my hair is, sadly, back to normal), I still wear the sneakers occasionally, but I adorn myself with studs in a more subdued way — in the forms of earrings, bracelets and the occasional belt. Studs and other metallic accents have stuck around since last season and continue to embellish belts, jewelry, clutches and even moccasins.
Precious metals shone on the runways in the form of stunning frocks. My fantasy wardrobe would include Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière’s futuristic dresses that transformed the models into walking disco balls and the gorgeous stud and gem-encrusted Little Black Dresses at Balmain. In a perfect world, I would parade around in every one of the stunning silver mini dresses at Collette Dinnigan, from the drop-waist flapper-esque dress to the dress that resembles a mirror mosaic.
For now, I’ll head back to reality and talk about the trends that are a bit more accessible and easy to recreate. Rodarte’s collection practically had “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) written all over it — dresses were slashed, sweaters were shredded, gowns seemed to be dipped in Rit dye and delightfully useless chains were affixed to certain pieces. As haphazard as this all may sound, I found beauty in the randomness and deconstructed elements of Rodarte’s spring collection. As an aspiring designer who finds some strange enjoyment in ruining perfectly good items of clothing, I’m quite inspired by Rodarte’s designers, the Mulleavy sisters, this season.
Feel like updating a top with minimal effort? Follow both Rodarte and Jeremy Laing and make precise cuts in a tank or T-shirt to create a paper lantern effect. Just don’t hack away at it carelessly, or you’ll end up with tatters that come off as crazy rather than conceptual.
Perhaps even more wallet-friendly than completing a DIY project is wearing updated classics and pieces that are already in your wardrobe. This idea of “recession chic” has arrived in full force in the fashion world; however, as a mere college student, I have always shopped with a recessionista’s attitude. Besides bargain hunting, this includes supplementing essential pieces like cardigans and blazers with accessories. An easy way to update a look is with a belted waist. This season, anything goes, from skinny to studded to wide obi belts à la Louis Vuitton. As far as jewelry goes, attention-grabbing earrings from the past have made a comeback.
Now that I’ve outlined some of the trends for spring and summer, I can’t wait until this sporadic weather settles on sunny.
BY LOUISE LAO
VOLUME 42, ISSUE 14 | JAN 19 2009
Back home in the Bay Area, I never thought about shopping for spring and summer clothing until March when, if I were lucky, the temperature would slowly climb to the cool mid-60s. Here in Irvine, however, it’s mid-January and a ridiculous 85 degrees. Even though I’m wearing denim cutoffs, I feel like I’m about to pass out as I trudge up a slight slope in Aldrich Park.
What does this tell me (besides that I’m ludicrously out of shape)? It’s time to shop for the new season.
This spring, I’m determined to bring some color into my dark, gloomy winter wardrobe, which is currently dominated by black and gray. I’m definitely looking forward to experimenting with different color palettes, fabrics and shapes.
Soft tones in creamy, nude shades were big on the runways this season, as seen in the parade of sandy-colored gowns worn at this year’s Golden Globes. Stella McCartney mixed pieces in shades of nude, ivory and peach, to breathe new life into colors that would seem muted against basic black.
In typical springtime fashion, shades reminiscent of Easter eggs have re-emerged, but this time, more dusty than pastel: ice blue, pale rose and light mint green. I plan on pairing these sweetly colored pieces with faded, distressed denim for a fresh look that won’t make me look like a marshmallow Peep.
Alternatively, highlighter hues lit up several runways, including several outfits in Alexander Wang’s Miami Vice-inspired show and Luella Bartley’s self-declared “Sunday best on acid” collection. While Wang employed clean lines and a 1980s vibe in his designs, Bartley’s cheerful designs have a ladylike look with a kooky, frilly twist. If you’re reluctant to sport a head-to-toe supercharged ensemble, take inspiration from the pieces from Marc by Marc Jacobs and mix khaki with brights.
I plan to continue my love affair with pyramid studs this season. I’ve adored the things since my high school days when I lived in studded belts and band tees and half my hair would change from Fuchsia Flash to Vampire Red. I even studded my Converse. Now that I’m slightly more mature (and my hair is, sadly, back to normal), I still wear the sneakers occasionally, but I adorn myself with studs in a more subdued way — in the forms of earrings, bracelets and the occasional belt. Studs and other metallic accents have stuck around since last season and continue to embellish belts, jewelry, clutches and even moccasins.
Precious metals shone on the runways in the form of stunning frocks. My fantasy wardrobe would include Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière’s futuristic dresses that transformed the models into walking disco balls and the gorgeous stud and gem-encrusted Little Black Dresses at Balmain. In a perfect world, I would parade around in every one of the stunning silver mini dresses at Collette Dinnigan, from the drop-waist flapper-esque dress to the dress that resembles a mirror mosaic.
For now, I’ll head back to reality and talk about the trends that are a bit more accessible and easy to recreate. Rodarte’s collection practically had “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) written all over it — dresses were slashed, sweaters were shredded, gowns seemed to be dipped in Rit dye and delightfully useless chains were affixed to certain pieces. As haphazard as this all may sound, I found beauty in the randomness and deconstructed elements of Rodarte’s spring collection. As an aspiring designer who finds some strange enjoyment in ruining perfectly good items of clothing, I’m quite inspired by Rodarte’s designers, the Mulleavy sisters, this season.
Feel like updating a top with minimal effort? Follow both Rodarte and Jeremy Laing and make precise cuts in a tank or T-shirt to create a paper lantern effect. Just don’t hack away at it carelessly, or you’ll end up with tatters that come off as crazy rather than conceptual.
Perhaps even more wallet-friendly than completing a DIY project is wearing updated classics and pieces that are already in your wardrobe. This idea of “recession chic” has arrived in full force in the fashion world; however, as a mere college student, I have always shopped with a recessionista’s attitude. Besides bargain hunting, this includes supplementing essential pieces like cardigans and blazers with accessories. An easy way to update a look is with a belted waist. This season, anything goes, from skinny to studded to wide obi belts à la Louis Vuitton. As far as jewelry goes, attention-grabbing earrings from the past have made a comeback.
Now that I’ve outlined some of the trends for spring and summer, I can’t wait until this sporadic weather settles on sunny.
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