By Vanessa Valiente of V-Style
With Kate Moss as its mascot, the idea of mixing high and low-end brands to create a stylish and untraceable look has been shouted by the rooftops. From designer advice to magazines, every fashionista knows by now that your closet is not complete without a thrift store find and a runway jacket.
Besides that fact that not everyone has money to bathe in, not every American woman quite grasps the concept of high-low. Easy enough for Kate Moss, to create her look she just has to lower herself to the cheap stores. For everyone else the idea of shopping higher can be scary. Here are some tips:
First, high-low dressing doesn’t necessarily have to have haute couture as the high (although wouldn’t that be just divine!). The idea of high-low is knowing when to spend money and when not to. The high portion can mean spending $200 on a dress instead of $20.
Second, when buying low end try to avoid stores like Marshalls, Ross and so on unless you have an incredible eye for fashion, pattern and colors. Often these stores sell very dated silhouettes and patterns with obviously cheap fabrics (not always though, hence the good eye). Instead try Target, Forever 21, H&M, Loehmanns, Nordstrom Rack and other stores that are taking on trend items and making it cheap.
Third, quality is key no matter what you buy. Whether its $5 or $500 it needs to look good, fit right and feel fabulous – no matter what! Look at the seams and feel the fabric. Does the fabric feel nice to the touch? If not put it down and walk away. Do the seams appear strong and even? If not dump it.
Fourth, scour the Internet for great deals. It's always possible to find some high quality goodies at reduced prices. Remember to not look at the labels and focus on the styles and fits. You are not looking for labels; you are looking for high quality pieces in fashion forward styles.
Lastly, high and low dressing is about budgeting. Stop buying something and saying, “Well, it was only $20.” That’s $20 you could have put towards a BCBG dress or a Diane Von Furstenberg top. Add up all those cheap things you never wear or don’t care about and you could have three amazing pieces … or more if you were really bad.
Purchasing tip: You can find a fabulous anything for cheap if you hunt with a good eye, but in general, items you should spend more than $50 on are boots, heels, blouses, suits, jeans, cocktail dresses, and that item you saw in your fashion magazine that you just love!
Items you can find on the cheap: day dresses, flats, accessories, basics, and tees. Obviously though, sometimes you will find the perfect day dress at a high price and a pair of incredible heels at a tear dropping low price.
By Vanessa Valiente of V-Style
Second, when buying low end try to avoid stores like Marshalls, Ross and so on unless you have an incredible eye for fashion, pattern and colors. Often these stores sell very dated silhouettes and patterns with obviously cheap fabrics (not always though, hence the good eye). Instead try Target, Forever 21, H&M, Loehmanns, Nordstrom Rack and other stores that are taking on trend items and making it cheap.
Third, quality is key no matter what you buy. Whether its $5 or $500 it needs to look good, fit right and feel fabulous – no matter what! Look at the seams and feel the fabric. Does the fabric feel nice to the touch? If not put it down and walk away. Do the seams appear strong and even? If not dump it.
Fourth, scour the Internet for great deals. It's always possible to find some high quality goodies at reduced prices. Remember to not look at the labels and focus on the styles and fits. You are not looking for labels; you are looking for high quality pieces in fashion forward styles.
Lastly, high and low dressing is about budgeting. Stop buying something and saying, “Well, it was only $20.” That’s $20 you could have put towards a BCBG dress or a Diane Von Furstenberg top. Add up all those cheap things you never wear or don’t care about and you could have three amazing pieces … or more if you were really bad.
Purchasing tip: You can find a fabulous anything for cheap if you hunt with a good eye, but in general, items you should spend more than $50 on are boots, heels, blouses, suits, jeans, cocktail dresses, and that item you saw in your fashion magazine that you just love!
Items you can find on the cheap: day dresses, flats, accessories, basics, and tees. Obviously though, sometimes you will find the perfect day dress at a high price and a pair of incredible heels at a tear dropping low price.
By Vanessa Valiente of V-Style
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