http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/fashion/story/0,,2087919,00.html
What would Beth Ditto do?
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]I can't sew and I'm not skinny. How can I look great on a budget?[/FONT]
[FONT=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif] Friday May 25, 2007
The Guardian
[/FONT] Just remember - fashion is something that is prepackaged, bought and sold, but style, like art, is a primal instinct. My number-one theory in life is that style is proportional to your lack of resources - the less you have, the more stylish you're likely to be.When I moved out of my mom's house at 18 I was almost as sad to leave her sewing machine behind as anything else. More than 2,000 miles away, I was stranded, with no mom, no machine and no money - I needed a job badly, but I had nothing I could wear for an interview. I figured that I had three tools at my disposal: desperation, a pair of scissors and everything that the local thrift stores (or, as you call 'em, charity shops) could offer me.
Off I went to the nearest thrift store, with just $15, and I went wild. I frantically needed a responsible-looking outfit so that I could apply to be a salon receptionist - and, with what I threw together, I landed the job!
So, for my tips. At thrift stores there always seems to be an abundance of long broom-handle skirts - you know, the free-flowing kind with an elastic top? Well, these make perfect strapless dresses when pulled up underneath your arms. Add a colourful stretch belt around your waist, a pair of large hoop earrings, nice flats and you've got yourself a whole outfit that you didn't even have to cut, let alone sew! This will fit almost any size. (For those of you who can't sew, don't forget that safety pins are a tiny gift from the heavens.)
I've been asked how I find sizes to fit me, and the answer is, I never can! At the same time, I never let the pesky number on the tag keep me from trying anything on - you never know how that bright-green-and-yellow dress will look if you don't just give it a try. Even if the tag says it's two sizes too small, remember: the tighter the better!
When it comes to looking good on a budget, the right accessories can pull the cheapest outfit together. My five favourites are:
1. Cardigans. I have tons of them in all shapes, sizes, colours and prints. They make any outfit come together, and, best of all, they keep you just the right temperature.
2. Earrings. A big ol' hoop can save the day, or nice little fake pearls can make you instantly look dressed up.
3. Black eyeliner. Even if you're only wearing trainers and a vest, eyeliner will instantly transform you. People always look put-together when their make-up's on and their eyes are popping - just ask Amy Winehouse!
4. Stretch belts. With a stretch belt, anything can be a dress - a dinner napkin, a table cloth, even a towel. Just wrap and snap, and away you go in an incredible outfit. Another plus is that the belt will pull all eyes to your lovely curves, and they even look good around a coat or a jacket.
5. Tights. Nine times out of 10, I prefer yellow tights to any other colour - they really spice up the most tired, boring outfit. Team them with a big, baggy T-shirt and, voila - you've gone and got yourself a fantastic night out on the town!
· Beth would love to answer your one-line questions or dilemmas in her fortnightly column. Please email them to [email protected]
What would Beth Ditto do?
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]I can't sew and I'm not skinny. How can I look great on a budget?[/FONT]
[FONT=Geneva,Arial,sans-serif] Friday May 25, 2007
The Guardian
[/FONT] Just remember - fashion is something that is prepackaged, bought and sold, but style, like art, is a primal instinct. My number-one theory in life is that style is proportional to your lack of resources - the less you have, the more stylish you're likely to be.When I moved out of my mom's house at 18 I was almost as sad to leave her sewing machine behind as anything else. More than 2,000 miles away, I was stranded, with no mom, no machine and no money - I needed a job badly, but I had nothing I could wear for an interview. I figured that I had three tools at my disposal: desperation, a pair of scissors and everything that the local thrift stores (or, as you call 'em, charity shops) could offer me.
Off I went to the nearest thrift store, with just $15, and I went wild. I frantically needed a responsible-looking outfit so that I could apply to be a salon receptionist - and, with what I threw together, I landed the job!
So, for my tips. At thrift stores there always seems to be an abundance of long broom-handle skirts - you know, the free-flowing kind with an elastic top? Well, these make perfect strapless dresses when pulled up underneath your arms. Add a colourful stretch belt around your waist, a pair of large hoop earrings, nice flats and you've got yourself a whole outfit that you didn't even have to cut, let alone sew! This will fit almost any size. (For those of you who can't sew, don't forget that safety pins are a tiny gift from the heavens.)
I've been asked how I find sizes to fit me, and the answer is, I never can! At the same time, I never let the pesky number on the tag keep me from trying anything on - you never know how that bright-green-and-yellow dress will look if you don't just give it a try. Even if the tag says it's two sizes too small, remember: the tighter the better!
When it comes to looking good on a budget, the right accessories can pull the cheapest outfit together. My five favourites are:
1. Cardigans. I have tons of them in all shapes, sizes, colours and prints. They make any outfit come together, and, best of all, they keep you just the right temperature.
2. Earrings. A big ol' hoop can save the day, or nice little fake pearls can make you instantly look dressed up.
3. Black eyeliner. Even if you're only wearing trainers and a vest, eyeliner will instantly transform you. People always look put-together when their make-up's on and their eyes are popping - just ask Amy Winehouse!
4. Stretch belts. With a stretch belt, anything can be a dress - a dinner napkin, a table cloth, even a towel. Just wrap and snap, and away you go in an incredible outfit. Another plus is that the belt will pull all eyes to your lovely curves, and they even look good around a coat or a jacket.
5. Tights. Nine times out of 10, I prefer yellow tights to any other colour - they really spice up the most tired, boring outfit. Team them with a big, baggy T-shirt and, voila - you've gone and got yourself a fantastic night out on the town!
· Beth would love to answer your one-line questions or dilemmas in her fortnightly column. Please email them to [email protected]