Your bank account is looking abysmal, but the problem remains: you want to go shopping. However with a little creative thinking, this dilemma can be solved in the flutter of an eyelash
It’s imaginable that you may perceive Target as the place to head to for shampoo on sale, and is the last place you would venture out for a dash of clothes shopping. Yet these purse-tightening times call for compromise. Last summer, Target’s shelves were filled with Richard Chai’s more cost-effective versions of his innovative designs, featuring dinky Warhol-esque blue flowered tops and dresses. More recently, Thakoon has utilized the ever-popular colourblock styles for his simple shift dresses (US$39.99/ €29.57), creating a sophisticated look for Target that also includes printed tees (perfect for wearing under a deconstructed blazer), resort outfits, and swimwear. Last but certainly not least, Target’s best kept secret has got to be the buttery-soft Isaac Mizrahi cashmere sweaters that are now on clearance for a mere US$34.99/€25.86!
H&M can be something of a mixed bag, but with its warehouse-sized stores, it’s likely you’ll find anything from a pair of nice trousers to a funky pair of earrings. From the trendy belted dresses, costing a mere $34.90/€25.92 to the menswear vests priced at an affordable $24.90/€18.50, you can easily change your look without burning a hole in your wallet. Its online Dressing Room feature allows shoppers to create their own interactive avatar upon which they can assemble outfits before heading out to shop.
TopShop is fast becoming a truly global brand, with stores in far flung locations such as Kuwait and Croatia, as well as its newly opened New York City store. The Kate Moss label is definitely more expensive than the rest of the clothing sold here, and although Top Shop is generally higher on the price spectrum than either Target or H&M, it offers functional basic cardigans and dresses from as low as US$36/€26.65.
Personally, however, I prefer to ditch brands altogether and head to some of my favourite flea markets to pick up unique clothing–both vintage and new. Over in Paris, the infamous Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen,with its 3,000 vendors, is a shopper’s paradise, as is the Marché Serpette (110. rue des Rosiers). Tokyo’s Ameya Yokocho market (Yamanote Line between Ueno and Okachimachi Metro) is another fashion bargain hot-spot, whilst London’s Portobello Market is, in my opinion, still one of the best flea market in the world (top tip: head out here on a Friday to beat the Saturday morning tourist crowd and pick up some fabulous threads). And if you can’t be in London, then make sure you visit the fabulous Pret A Portobello e boutique, which is packed with accessories and garments (such as the Lellow Lucy Black Polkadot cardigan, above) that come straight from the market itself.
So while it may be difficult to steer clear of those glorious Michael Kors clutches and expensive jeans, make sure you check out the cheap chic store and market circuits–you’ll be surprised at the fabulous finds you will discover.
Image courtesy of Pretaportobello.com
