Girl guide: 5 ways to dress expensively, on a budget

30 June 2016

By Fashion Quarterly

Champagne taste, beer budget.

This is our bible for looking fancy AF without the price tag.

Even when you’ve got phone bills, car expenses (damn you, registration – why so expensive???) and rent hammering your nearly negative bank account, we’ll ensure you can still satisfy your champagne taste on a beer budget.

Accessorise with accessories

The key to looking so put together that you’re worthy of a street style photo isn’t really to do with clothing; it’s all down to accessories. Handbags, hater blockers, and shoes are chic additions to your outfits will do wonders for your perceived style. And we’re not necessarily talking about Deadly Ponies either – although we love their stuff and it’s totes worth investing in if you have the $$$. There’s fabulous finds to be discovered in more affordable stores, you just have to hunt for them.
Try: Topshop, Country Road, Witchery, ASOS and vintage shops.

Care for your appearance

While your grandparents say you can tell a lot about a man by his shoes, you can tell a lot about a woman by her hair.

You don’t have to fork out for a salon blow wave; DIY at home, girl!

If that fails because you really CBF just brush your mane into a low, Kim Kardashian-inspired bun and slick it back with some hair oil. PS: For this purpose coconut oil works just as well as branded hair products. Remember, we’re saving bank here!

Nail it

As above! No one wants to look at your unkempt mani, and for the love of women around the world remove your polish if it’s chipped! Geez.
If you have the funds to commit to bi-weekly gels, do that and don’t think twice. If that’s your long-term goal, buy yourself a kit of products in the meantime so you can DIY. Opt for the OG tried-and-tested tones and nude neutrals; onlookers will be none the wiser.

Jewellery. Always

Frost yourself, darling. Just kidding. But seriously, do invest in delicate items to wear on the reg. Just like these beauties…

Embrace staple items

We know, we know. You’ve heard it before but this point serves to remind you that if you adopt Gok Wan’s style mantra of buying wardrobe classics before trend pieces you’ll have options forever.

You need: