Fiscally Responsible Fall Fashion

estelleknows — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:12:40 +0000

The fashion magazines have had their big, fat, juicy Fall issues out on the shelves recently previewing this season’s most highly desired clothing and accessories. I for one am loving the Grecian gowns by Bottega Veneta (I’ve always loved their shoes!) and have you seen the beautiful new Chanel ads? What about those super cool ankle boots from Tod’s (which would look great with tights and a mini) for the unbelievable price of only…..$765. Aren’t you excited? Well I think it is ridiculous. Who would pay that for a pair of boots? It is so frustrating… the new ads, the cool new clothes for Fall. Whatever is a fashion conscience girl to do?

A fashion magazine provides you with an abundance of knowledge on the upcoming trends and styles. Instead of crying because you can’t afford what you see on the pages of your favorite magazine, look at the pages and think of ways to use what you already have in your closet to mimic your favorite styles. Boots are definitely in for Fall and while I might not be able to afford that great pair oxford booties which I adore, I do own the essential wardrobe staple…the tall black boot. They might not be as exciting as the more trendy styles out right now but we have to work with what we’ve got and the classic black book will never go out of style.

With cold weather approaching tights are definitely the way to go. I am seeing more budget conscience magazines give advice on layering long sleeved tees under summer dresses with tights and boots (hey if you don’t have boots, flats will work just as well). Get creative, become inspired. I look through my magazines and think “hey, can I do that? I never would have thought of putting that shirt with that skirt but it looks good.” My daughter wants to become a fashion designer when she grows up and will come up with some of the most creative outfit combinations. I used to veto the outfit based on the wildly held fashion laws of combining colors and fabrics until she put them on. Her outfits looked great! Never underestimate the value of a possible outfit without trying it on first. It’s amazing how expressive you can get with your style and you might get a few praises as well.

If you do have a little extra cash laying around for your winter wardrobe stock up on those staples. While the magazines advise hitting J Crew (definitely a personal favorite) for the essential tights and tees, I advice going to Target or Old Navy. I would rather spend less on these necessities and instead be able to purchase the J Crew cashmere sweater instead (although that will not be happening any time soon either). I don’t think anyone likes to cut back, especially on clothes, but these days we need to work with what we’ve got. Don’t get depressed because the outfits you covet from the magazines are out of your price range. Mix it up and get real!

Since when is a $795 coat a steal?

estelleknows — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 19:50:35 +0000

I’m kind of tired of reading articles in fashion magazines talking about “fashion on a budget” when really there is no budget involved. Perhaps cutting back to two pairs of Louboutins instead of three or the smaller Chloe clutch as opposed to the Chanel lambskin tote is really cinching the belt to some privileged few, but seriously, do we need to read that? I have been an avid subscriber to fashion magazines for many many years (does anybody remember Sassy and Mademoiselle?) and lately have been tempted to just throw my magazine in the recycle bin rather than torture myself with all the goodies that I don’t have the money to buy. I can’t do it. I can’t throw it away. If you love fashion you know what I mean.

These magazines a perpetuating the idea that any fashion conscience woman will be able to identify and mimic the lifestyles of the wealthy few. I for one am incapable of competing with this logic. I cannot afford one pair of Manolo Blahnik’s (even on clearance) let alone copy the daily shopping habits (budget or not) of those displayed in the magazines. It makes me feel inferior about my own clothes, my job (or lack thereof), my hair and my overall person. That great feeling that I once had when I opened my new magazine is tinged with a sense of mediocrity within my own self. I find that I am depressed when I read that other women can still go out and shop enthusiastically while I have to avoid the mall at all costs.

These women may be living on a budget within their own highly unrealistic world but that is not real life. I think it is irresponsible of these magazines to flaunt the shopping habits of the rich and famous when most of us can barely scrounge up enough money to pay the house payment. Couldn’t magazines be sensitive to the needs of their readers and offer advice on how to dress stylishly on the average person’s budget? It’s frustrating when a magazine is advertising two different coats with one at $2,600 and the other at a steal of a price (you know for us financially challenged consumers) at $795. Can you afford $795 for a new fall coat? I certainly can’t and I’m willing to bet 95% of the popoulation agrees with me on this one. Fashion magazines may be up on all of the trends within the world of fashion, but wouldn’t it be nice for them to pay attention to what is happening to their readers financially and let that dictate how they present that material to their readers? Let’s get real.

Ginger Knows » Fashion

Fiscally Responsible Fall Fashion

Since when is a $795 coat a steal?