Spring fashion season is upon us …which means it’s time to dust off your fascinator and get yourself ready for fashions on the field!
Here are our tips for making a strong style statement that won’t blow your budget this Melbourne Cup.
1. Think Online
Sites such as Gumtree, eBay and Facebook Buy/Swap/Sell pages are a treasure trove for second-hand cocktail dress attire. You can find frocks from right around Australia, which are generally in great condition and at a fraction of the price.
Pro Tip: if you’re hunting for an outfit in a specific colour, brand or style you can use the eBay app to set up alerts which will let you know when items matching your criteria become available.
“I bought an Alex Perry dress with a retail value of $1000 for just $100 on eBay. The seller was clearing out her wardrobe and was offering designer clothing at a huge markdown. The dress I bought had only been worn once and was in perfect condition!”
-Rose, MOVE Bank Marketing Coordinator
2. Op shops
Macklemore might have made thrift shopping cool again, but now it’s your turn to transform a forgotten frock into a race day winner.
“Try finding a fascinator….at your local op shop. They may only have been worn once and you can easily sterilize them”
-Carla, Facebook
3. Dresses for hire?
Dress hire has become extremely popular within the last few years. You can hire high-end dresses without paying a fortune. Popular brands such as Camilla, Zimmermann, Lover The Label and Misha Collection are just a few examples of what’s out there. Simply book it, wear it and return it. There are so many dress hire companies in the market right now ranging from big names to small start-ups, so have a look online to see what’s available near you.
4. Reinvent a classic
Why buy a new dress when you can spend a fraction of the price on some new accessories and reinvent a dress you’ve already got? Accessorising with a different colour scheme or simply teaming your frock with a new pair of heels can completely change an outfit and save you some cash in the process. Adding statement jewellery can also completely transform an outfit, and you can get good quality costume pieces from most boutiques without breaking the bank.
5. DIY fascinator
Save money and time finding the perfect fascinator by making it yourself! You can purchase some basic fascinators for under $15 from outlets such as Lincraft and Spotlight. All you’ll need is a statement flower in the colour of your choice and a bottle of craft clue! Want something a little more unique? Beads, feathers, pendants- the possibilities are endless.
And if you are going to lay down your cash on an expensive outfit?
Make sure whatever you buy is an “investment” – something you can keep and get wear out of for years to come. Sydney stylist Rachel from Ruby Slippers Styling advises:
“Stop wasting money on clothes you never end up wearing! Figure out your most flattering colours and clothing shapes and then only buy pieces that fit those criteria. It will also make it much easier to mix and match everything in your wardrobe”
A good way to decide whether something is worth the price is to think about the cost per wear. For example, if you spend $400 on a dress and wear it twice your cost per wear is a massive $200! On the other hand, if you spend $200 on a different dress and wear it 10 times your cost per wear drops to $20.
So no matter the outcome of the race this race season, you and your hip pocket will be the real winner with these savvy tips for frugal fashions on the field!
Have any other tips? Let us know in the comments!
This blog post is for general information purposes only and is not intended as financial or professional advice. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as financial product or other professional advice. You should seek your own independent financial, legal and taxation advice before making any decision about any action in relation to the material in this article. Railways Credit Union Limited trading as MOVE Bank ABN 91 087 651 090. AFSL/ Australian Credit License number 234 536 | ABN 91 087 651
