Style Fashion Guides
Chic on the Cheap
Money burning a hole in your designer pockets? Our round-up of cheap'n'chic fashion stores will have you shopping like an A-lister, without the A-list bank account, of course.
It's official. Being cheap is in! And even those who can afford not to, are trawling the charity shops for second-hand bargains, and swotting up on penny-pinching in Cheap Date magazine. So if your wallet's looking a bit cobwebby, and even if it isn't, there's nothing to stop you from feeling like a fashion mag darling.
By training your bargain-hunter's eye to cherry pick the one-off gems and mixing them in with your high-street finds, you'll create a look that's both en vogue and original. Oh, and you'll have some change to treat yourself to lunch when you're done.
Here's our round-up of some of our favourite cheap'n'chic high street retailers to get you started. Where you do next is up to you...
Asda
Push those dreadful images of pseudo-Burberry caps and Sharon Osborne patting her jingling bum pocket aside and pop into the George clothing section when you're in for your next shop. The supermarkets are steaming ahead in the budget style stakes with Asda's much-publicised George range and new contender Florence & Fred from Tesco, churning out catwalk copies in record time.
Where: Visit the Asda website and use the store finder.
Great for: A surprisingly trendy selection of swimwear at bargain prices, especially in the string bikini department. Most items are sold separately so you can choose different sizes for tops/bottoms where needed. Perfect.
Top shopper's tip: You'll scream cheap if you drench yourself top-to-toe in Asda buys. Be sure to mix and match with more expensive or vintage items and no one will be any the wiser. We promise.
eBay
If you're brave enough to buy clothes online without trying them on (and even if you're not - did someone say the word 'handbag'?), then an evening's surfing around online auction site, eBay may turn up some real finds. Searching by your favourite brands and designers will help you sort the diamonds from the dirt, or choose from the site's list of shopping categories and have a leisurely browse. eBay's great for bargains, but be sure to follow the usual rules about checking your seller's credentials before committing to a bid.
Where: The eBay website
Great for: Proper designer gear at cheapo prices.
Top shopper's tip: Read the item descriptions carefully. Some listers describe items as being "in the style of" a particular designer a la Diane Von Furstenburg-style wrap dress. Not the genuine article. You have been warned...
By training your bargain-hunter's eye to cherry pick the one-off gems and mixing them in with your high-street finds, you'll create a look that's both en vogue and original. Oh, and you'll have some change to treat yourself to lunch when you're done.
Here's our round-up of some of our favourite cheap'n'chic high street retailers to get you started. Where you do next is up to you...
Asda
Push those dreadful images of pseudo-Burberry caps and Sharon Osborne patting her jingling bum pocket aside and pop into the George clothing section when you're in for your next shop. The supermarkets are steaming ahead in the budget style stakes with Asda's much-publicised George range and new contender Florence & Fred from Tesco, churning out catwalk copies in record time.
Where: Visit the Asda website and use the store finder.
Great for: A surprisingly trendy selection of swimwear at bargain prices, especially in the string bikini department. Most items are sold separately so you can choose different sizes for tops/bottoms where needed. Perfect.
Top shopper's tip: You'll scream cheap if you drench yourself top-to-toe in Asda buys. Be sure to mix and match with more expensive or vintage items and no one will be any the wiser. We promise.
eBay
If you're brave enough to buy clothes online without trying them on (and even if you're not - did someone say the word 'handbag'?), then an evening's surfing around online auction site, eBay may turn up some real finds. Searching by your favourite brands and designers will help you sort the diamonds from the dirt, or choose from the site's list of shopping categories and have a leisurely browse. eBay's great for bargains, but be sure to follow the usual rules about checking your seller's credentials before committing to a bid.
Where: The eBay website
Great for: Proper designer gear at cheapo prices.
Top shopper's tip: Read the item descriptions carefully. Some listers describe items as being "in the style of" a particular designer a la Diane Von Furstenburg-style wrap dress. Not the genuine article. You have been warned...
