The Thrifty Girl’s Guide to Fashion Week

Posted in Fashion, Writing.

As New York Fashion Week comes to a close, London is waiting in the wings and practising air kisses for its turn in the style spotlight. Friday 16th September marks the start of London Fashion Week 2011, where the best of British will showcase the biggest trends for SS12. Yes – fashion fans will descend on Somerset House to sit in draughty warehouses during cold and rainy September to watch models flounce about in shorts, sandals and chiffon. Bring it on!

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London Fashion Week is a wonderful way to celebrate the fantastic work of British designers, but it’s also dangerously indulgent and if you’re not careful, a few days at Fashion Week can leave a gaping hole in your bank account. One that looks suspiciously like a Mulberry Alexa.

During my time at Fashion Week I’m determined to stay true to my thrifty(ish…) ways, so I’ve put together a slightly tongue-in-cheek guide to surviving Fashion Week on a stylish-but-skint budget. Take a look…

  • Got your dress from a charity shop? Picked up those heels at a car boot? Darling, you’re vintage. So when you hear the (inevitable) cries of ‘who are you wearing?’, don’t say ‘errrm… it’s a Topshop dress from 1995 that I found in the dressing up box’ – say ‘vintage’. Preferably while waving your hand in a dismissive way and flouncing. Everyone flounces at Fashion Week.
  • If you have an exhibition pass, make your way to the nearest presentation, STAT. Champagne flows freely at presentations and they run all day long, so set up camp inside and enjoy a glass… or five. 
  • A week-long diet of M&S salads, Pret sandwiches and itsu sushi will lead to a penniless purse (and possibly bloating). Blag your way into the press lounge to fill up on free nibbles, and don’t forget to stash some in your Alexa for later. Those catwalk shows can drag.
  • Don’t waste your makeup by doing your face for Fashion Week – book in for a free Mac makeover and let someone else prepare you for those close ups.
  • If you really can’t imagine Fashion Week without a key designer piece, head to TK Maxx and invest in a coat, a bag or a pair of shoes. Do not, I repeat DO NOT blow a month’s wages on snakeskin leather trousers that the sales assistant tells you are ‘sure to make the flash bulbs pop!’. She’s lying.
  • And some final words of wisdom from a, ahem, seasoned Fashion Week attendee with a grand total of FOUR shows under her belt – be yourself. The most stylish people are the ones whose clothes reflect their character. So if you’d really feel more comfortable in jeans than snakeskin leather trousers, go ahead and WORK those jeans. I know I will.
Are you going to Fashion Week this year? What are you looking forward to?




19 Comments

Farrah Abigaelle

Wow that sounds so exciting attending fashion week. I go to NYU and it’s close to where fashion week is and man does it look exciting. I think it’s because I love show business and fashion shows are like performances in a way. A walking exhibition. Anyway great tips, I”ll probably remember those when I get a chance to attend fashion week!
-Farrah

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Lizzy

Still waiting for the press accreditation… so probably not going this year! Never mind. I loved this guide, particularly the ‘vintage’ advice! “Oh yes, it’s vintage daaahhhling” covers up a multitude of charity shop sins!

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Emily

Great post. Such fabulous ideas. I plan to say vintage for most of my wardrobe 🙂

Hope to maybe see you there – I’ll be the one stashing nibbles in my bag!!!!

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Emily

Great post. Such fabulous ideas. I plan to say vintage for most of my wardrobe 🙂

Hope to maybe see you there – I’ll be the one stashing nibbles in my bag!!!!

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Lizzy Lips

I won tickets to a show, and it will be my first time at LFW. I have to admit I have been worry slightly over what to wear, but I’m also not going to pretent to do something I’m not. I’m sure there will be plenty of OTT people there, I don’t need to be one of them!

Bring on London!

Have fun Jen, looking forward to hearing your expereinces.

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Tabitha

My first time doing ANYTHING fashion-related and I’m ridiculously excited to be heading to The Look Show! Hope to see you there

T x

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tor (fabfrocks)

No 3 made me laugh – I always get palpitations over how much money I spend feeding myself during fashion week!
Hope to see you around though – we should definitely catch up!!

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Vintage and Cake

Jen I love you, your writing is so funny and yet so savvy, i adore all your coverage of London fashion week and loved that red skirt combo darling. This is such a great guide I’m going to refer to it for the next LFW for sure xx

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