Shopping Cheap, Looking Rich

In my internet wanderings and study procrastinations, I came across this quite interesting and amusing article on how to shop at cheap chain stores without looking like you shop at cheap chain stores. Check it out here.

Wedding Guest Dresses Under $50

So something super exciting happened the other day, I got invited to a wedding! This is exciting because a) I've never been to a wedding before, b) I am still getting over a rather serious case of royal wedding fever and c) I now have an excuse to buy a new dress.

Of course my first thought was "What will I wear?". There are lots of different guidelines for dressing for a wedding depending on the formality of the event. Generally though, unless the wedding is super formal, a dressy cocktail dress or a more plain dress dressed up with heels and jewellery is acceptable for most weddings. Dresses shouldn't be too sexy or skimpy, it's a wedding not a nightclub. And of course, a long white dress should only be worn if you're aiming to get into a cat fight with the bride and be blacklisted from all future weddings in your social circle.

If you don't already have something suitable in your closet (which I do, but will buy something new anyway) it can be hard to find a suitably special dress without breaking the bank. I've spent the last couple of hours compiling this list of suitable wedding guest dresses under $50. As always, click on the description to be linked to where you can buy the dress. Enjoy!

Asos Pleated Double Layer Halter Dress - $30.83 (Down from $68.50)

This also comes in green and nude, I actually liked the nude better but it was a little too close to white. This would be especially good for an outdoor summer wedding, it looks super floaty and comfortable!

A Wear Sculpted Sleeve Dress - $41.10 (Down from $59.94)

Perhaps a touch casual, but the colour and sleeves are divine and it could be dressed up. It might look a little short in the photo, but the model is 5'10" (178cm) so it would be a suitable length on those of us not blessed with that kind of height.

Paprika Bow Front Chiffon Baby Doll Dress - $42.81

How cute is this? Might have to be paired with a bolero though if they wedding is a bit more conservative. It also comes in blue and orange, I would probably go with the yellow or the blue:

Modcloth Carefree as can be Dress - $49.99

According to the dress guidelines I linked above, it's a faux pas to wear a black dress to a daytime wedding, but acceptable for a nighttime wedding. I would dress this up with light shoes and accessories, so it didn't look too funeral-y (is that a word? It is now).

Delila's Pleated Dress - $39.50 (Down from $49.50)

If you want to wear bold shoes or accessories, I think a more plain dress is the way to go, so your outfit isn't too busy or showy. This dress is like a blank canvas waiting to be dressed up. It also has a super cute oversize bow on the back:

Forever 21 Metallic Paisley and Tulle Dress - $34.80

Probably better for an evening wedding. How amazing it it for that price?

Forever 21 Surplice Scroll Dress - $24.80

Another amazing Forever 21 dress for an amazing price! If their shipping to Australia wasn't pricey I would be buying this right now. America and the UK get all the good chain stores, it's not fair.

Ally Fashion Lace/Pleating Mesh Layer Dress - $39.99

Gorgeous. Dotti also does a version of this dress, only theres is $99.99 and looks pretty much the same. Ally Fashion is Australia based so they have cheap shipping to anywhere in Australia.

Ally Fashion Pleating Top Dipping Hem Maxi - $29.99

Dorothy Perkins Cream Lace Panel Dress - $30.65 (Down from $68.95)

So understated and elegant, but still a little bit special, it's perfect for a wedding.

Dorothy Perkins Coral Rose Ruffle Dress - $38.30

Another floaty dress perfect for a garden wedding in a great colour.

Dorothy Perkins Coral 50's Structured Dress - $35.95

Great if you want something a little more structured and formal, and the belt it comes with is adorable.

The rest of the dresses I'm going to post are from AX Paris and H&M, both companies which have amazing dresses that look way more expensive than they actually are. Neither company delivers to Australia yet though, which makes me want to burst into tears, bang my fists on the ground and scream "WHHHHYYYYY?!". Just because we can't buy though, doesn't mean we can't look and drool. And if anyone really wanted one of the dresses and has family or friends in the UK (which I do, yay!) you could be really nice to them and see if they can receive your order and forward it to you.

AX Paris Strapless Origami Dress - $45.95

 

H&M Dress - $30.65

H&M Maxi Dress - $30.65

Words cannot describe how much I want this. Gorgeous. Time to start sucking up to my British cousins me thinks.

H&M Ruffle Dress - $22.95

H&M Flared Chiffon Dress - $22.95

Wow that was a long post! Now you're all set for your next wedding, the hard part will be choosing which one to get. 

Until next time broke fashionistas!

Maxi Love For Skirts

Normally, I am not one to buy into trends. They are a waste of hard earned money. You will be fashionable for a few months, and then when everyone realises that the trend was, in fact, ridiculous, you will look outdated in last season's expensive "must have" item. It will be shoved to the back of your closet for a few years while you try convince yourself "I'll wear it again one day! I just don't have the right accessories to go with it right now!" until you finally admit defeat and donate it to Good Sammys, where someone will snap up your $30 jeggings for $1.50.

Needless to say, you will never see this girl in jeggings. I will also never wear one of those silly midriff tops which is all baggy on top but cuts off half way to show your stomach. I ESPECIALLY wouldn't wear a midriff top with leggings instead of pants, which seems to be all the rage among bogan 14-17 year olds at my local shopping center on Thursday nights. 

However, one trend of the moment which I will definitely be jumping on the bandwagon for is maxi skirts. I think they will be around for a long time, and unlike jeggings, do not look utterly ridiculous and trashy. (Apologies to any readers who own jeggings...actually no, I don't apologise, in a few months you will realise the error of your ways).

I love the floaty, romantic, whimsical style maxi skirts in block colours. Fabulous paired with a simple top, sandals and some long necklaces. I haven't bought one yet, but am giving serious consideration to the Ally Fashion Black Pleating Chiffon Maxi Skirt, pictured below.

For your viewing (and maybe buying) pleasure, here are my top affordable maxi skirt picks from the interwebz. Some are a little more on the pricey side, but for wardrobe staples I don't mind paying a little more sometimes. Start your debit cards ladies!

If you click on the description underneath the picture it will link you to the store where you can buy the skirt.

Ally Fashion Pleating Chiffon Maxi Skirt - $29.99

I am in complete fashion lust with the black version of this skirt, I love the pleating. Ally Fashion has some great clothes at really low prices, and has $10 delivery to anywhere in Australia.

Topshop Sand Layered Maxi Skirt - £40 (Approx 61.5AUD)

Great for the Summer months, and a little bit different with the semi-sheer overlay. I can picture myself wearing this with some strappy flats on a romantic picnic.

Motel Patsie Skirt in Wine - £58 (Approx 89AUD)

I know this one is a little on the pricey side, but oh that colour! Motel has amazing sales at the end of every season when they clear out all their old stock, so I will definitely be snapping this skirt up if it goes on sale. I would pair this with a plain black top and some silver necklaces to let the skirt be the standout piece of the outfit.

Supre Watermelon Chiffon Maxi - $10

This is an absolute bargain at $10 down from $45, with FREE SHIPPING anywhere in Australia for the next couple of days as well! Unfortunately when I am writing this they only have size large left. I'm normally a medium, but bought the large anyway and will alter it. If any of you ladies are size large though, I say buy buy buy! This is a steal! And the colour is amazing.

Next Slouch Skirt in Khaki - $34

Perfect for casual weekend wear, and also comes in berry (which is gorgeous) or black. And it has pockets! How cool is that?

Until next time broke fashionistas, happy shopping!

Spotlight on: ASOS

I am in love. Not superficial puppy love either. That amazing, all consuming kind of love where you cannot get the object of your affections out of your thoughts and you wonder where they have been all your life.

I am talking about ASOS. ASOS is an online clothing store based in the UK, and I would go so far as to say that it's the best clothing site I have ever shopped at (and believe me, I do A LOT of online shopping). Firstly, their range is amazing. They stock a huge range of designer brands, and have a very easy to navigate  A-Z of Women's Brands which makes it super easy to find clothes by particular designers. 

Their range of sizes is also fantastic. Obviously if you're shopping designer brands, the available sizes will depend on what size that particular designer goes up to. However, ASOS do their own range of fabulous (and quite reasonably priced) clothes which go from UK6-UK18. Their UK sizing is roughly the same as Australian sizing, so an ASOS 10 would be an Australian 10 and an American 6. They also have  ASOS Curve for the curvy ladies, which go from UK20-UK26, and  ASOS Petite, designed to fit vertically challenged women who are 5'3"/160cm or under. They even have a Maternity Section! 

And I've saved the best until last, they do FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE! ON EVERYTHING! NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU SPEND! Sorry for the caps, but nothing gets my motor running like free shipping. Especially since I live in Australia, and usually have to pay $15 - $35 for shipping from overseas, which makes bargain clothing not such a bargain after all. You can choose to have prices displayed in one of eight different currencies, which is super handy and saves me using conversion sites and a calculator to find out the price in Aussie dollars. They also have amazing sales, where you can pick up great pieces for next to nothing. Trust me, it's worth waiting for the sales.

To finish off, I've been in an Asos clothes lusting frenzy for the last hour or so, browsing the fabulous mid-season sale they're currently having. Here are my top five picks from the sale. Enjoy!

 

1.  London Rebel Studded Buckle Shoe Boot - $30.64

I actually ordered these. I've been searching for the perfect winter boot for a while, and I'm confident these will fill the bootless void in my life. I love the chunky heel and the material, and they also come in brown for $25.24!

2. ASOS Fan Pleated Bandeau Dress - $27.04

Those who know me will know that there are few things I love more than a good cocktail dress. I like dresses with a little something different that will stand out, and I love the pleated fan feature here. It's also available in purple and in ASOS Petite, and for $27.04 down from $75.71, who am I to say no?

3.  ASOS Stripe Off Shoulder Body Suit - $10.82

I've become a little obsessed with bodysuits lately, they're perfect for wearing as tops with flared skirts or voluminous shorts. At $10.82 Australian, this one is an absolute steal.

4.  Numph Graphic Print Dress - $90.13

Alas, I cannot afford this. I love Numph, they do awesome dresses with crazy prints. And those sleeves! This one is down from $126.18, and if I had the money I would buy it in a second. But hey, a girl can dream.

5.  ASOS Cropped Ribbed Military Cardigan - $21.63

I'm loving the military trend at the moment, and this cardigan has the military buttons but keeps it feminine with the ruffle at the bottom. It's coming into Winter in Australia as well, so a good cardigan is a must. Down from $64.89, this is a bargain.

Welcome!

Hello broke fashionistas!
I see that you have stumbled upon my blog. I've been toying with the idea of writing a fashion blog for a while, but could just never find the time in-between my busy study and (much more time consuming) TV watching and Ebay shopping schedules. I finally decided that it would be unfair to deny the world access to my oh-so clever and interesting thoughts any longer, so I put down the books (not that I pick them up very often, mind you), turned off the TV, closed Ebay and made a Blogger account.

My vision for this blog is that it will be kind of a guide for the fashionista on a budget. And I'm not talking about an "Oh nos, I can't afford to buy that $400 Maurie and Eve dress I want, I'll have to settle for this $120 Forever New dress instead" kind of budget either. I'm talking more of a "scraping in the bottom of your bag for change to buy two minute noodles the day before payday" kind of budget.

I have been a student for what seems like forever, and since I have four years to go on my six year degree I will be a student for a long time still. After I graduate I will be raking in the dosh and will wear fabulous designer dresses while swimming in my money pool (Ok, maybe not the money pool, but I do intend to blow a large portion of my future high earnings on designer dresses). Until then, however, I am forced to look fabulous on my low minimum wage casual worker's earnings.

This blog will feature shopping tips, reviews and the best places to buy cheap clothes that don't look cheap. I'm also hoping to start a "daily outfit" kind of section, where I will post photos of my own clothes and purchases.
I hope that I have titillated your fashion tastebuds, and I hope you'll come back again when I have some more posts. Feel free to comment with any suggestions.

Love love.