- VADA @ London Collections: Men – Day 1 - 7 January, 2014
- The Man Month – Fashion – January - 4 January, 2014
- See it, Like it, BUY IT - 9 November, 2013
Envy fills me as I look through my lookbook.nu app on my phone. Why are these people dressed so incredibly? How do they look so flawless?
A sudden urge to go online shopping and try to compete with them overwhelms me and before I know it my bank balance is destroyed. It’s a vicious cycle and one that could only end by me buying the right clothes in the first place.
We all want to look unique with our dress sense. I can never get my head around people who dress head to toe in certain brands. They look like a walking mannequin ! They may as well be standing inside the shop saying “The checkout’s this way”. They’re a walking advertisement. I hate it.
Do you know what I adore? People who can dress incredibly but look as though they just threw it on. It’s a true skill.
There are particular ways you can achieve this. I have started shopping in sample sales. This is convenient for me as there is always one around in London, but I can see the difficulty in more rural areas that don’t have such choice on offer. As much as I hate to admit it, I have started realising the power of e-tailing in regard to the competition of the highstreet. It just can’t compete.
Sample sales are unique pieces by designers that come in a certain size and are a one off. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? Yes, No-one else will have that item. It’s a win win! Your road to uniqueness is becoming ever so clear already.
Also, try out some of the local fashion schools. Top design students will have clothes to spare ! If you can wangle yourself some free stuff from their latest ideas/collections, you’re guaranteed to be the only person wearing it. You could also try adapting your own clothes. I’m not saying pin it with flowers and lace but cut some sleeves off, dip dye it or my personal favourite STUDS. I am addicted to them.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t touch high-street fashion, I’m a huge fan of it. But dressing as an individual doesn’t have to be that hard.
Unless you want to look like the 6th member of One Direction in a pair of skinny chinos… follow my advice.