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It’s easy to look fashionable when you have money to burn, great sewing skills or a giant wardrobe. But what about if you are moseying along with a tight budget and chain stores to choose from? Anya shares her favourite tips on making chainstore finds your own.
Button swap out
One of my favourite ways to completely change an item is as simple as learning to sew a button! The next time you buy a cardigan from Valleygirl or a white shirt from Glassons, snip the buttons off and replace them with your own. You probably don’t think this would make a huge amount of difference but it does, simply because when it comes to details, the more affordable the button the less impact it has.
The off kilter buy
Some of my favourite chain store pieces are the ones that seem to be left on the racks at the end of the season. The reason is that as great as chain stores are, most people use them as a snap up place for the basics.
So when a really awesome but slightly off kilter dress hits the racks, some are not sure what to make of it and it’s safer left behind than taken home. Next time you see the asymmetrical chiffon dress with ruffles and think “hmmm…” pick it up and take it home.
The bold basics
A bold basic you can do a lot with is definitely one of those pieces you can make your own. After all, does it really matter where a t-shirt came from if you can wear it with your suit, dressed down with your jeans and tucked into your pencil skirt (how sexy secretary).
See the bones
More than a couple of times I’ve seen something in a chain store and loved an element of it. More often than not the fabric, or a fabric used on it somewhere. And if it’s on the sale rack for a mere $12.00 then I’ll snap it up. Next stop is my friendly neighbourhood alterations place, where I can talk about all the things I don’t like and watch them work their magic with the original. I bought a loosely cut maxi dress solely for the gorgeous fabric, and had it made into a great little cotton shift just in time for winter. It’s amazing what a seamstress can do and you will be surprised by how little it costs!
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So when a really awesome but slightly off kilter dress hits the racks, some are not sure what to make of it and it’s safer left behind than taken home. Next time you see the asymmetrical chiffon dress with ruffles and think “hmmm…” pick it up and take it home.
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