Style with More Dash Than Cash

Style can be Achieved Easily with More Dash Than Cash

What an exciting journey this is. From wardrobe makeover, when sad goodbyes were said to masses of clothing that cluttered my wardrobe while waiting to see the light of day for that just right occasion, to tackling the beginning of yet another season.  Expensive pieces they were too.  And the experience was so traumatic that I don't want to ever repeat the exercise on that scale.  So where to from here?

Thankfully I had the experience with stylist, Linda, of venturing into shops with smaller price tags than I had previously been to and emerged with some great staples to supplement a much reduced range of winter clothing.  But here comes spring and where to now I thought.  So, masses of leg work and research later I found some great solutions to creating your look to suit your price tag.

HOW

The first step though is to get out there and try everything on.  And, I mean everything!!  Try all the dresses, put on whole outfits if you just want a jacket so you know how it will look.  Put all different belts with everything, then try tops with trousers and skirts.  You might need a girlfriend with you to do the running for different sizes but if you pick early morning, usually there will be a willing shop assistant to bring you different pieces while you stay in the dressing room. Take a whole morning (mid-week) then go back again if you didn't achieve what you wanted.  Stock arrives weekly in these stores so take a catalogue to find out what is coming.

WHERE

OK, so let's get started.  If you want to create great looks without the great price tags then hit the chain stores.  By chain stores I mean the likes of Veronika Maine, David Lawrence, Saba, Kimberleys, Gregory, Kookai, Country Road plus the 3+ store companies such as Molly N, Andrea Moore. Prices usually start around $NZ80 for a simple top or cardigan say at just over the $100 mark.  Jackets start at $NZ200+ and dresses about the same.  All of these stores have their full catalogues online so you can check out whats is in the new collections before you venture out.

WHAT

Dresses
The little black dress is alive and looking gorgeous at Veronika Maine this season.  In 3-4 styles at present in Austrailia and shortly to arrive in NZ.  Great prices, perfect fit.
Colourful dresses coming in shortly to Kimberleys and great examples already at Veronika Maine.  A girlfriend and I bought one each recently at Veronika Maine in Australia.  Each one very well cut and extremely well finished. 
Both Kimberleys and Andrea Moore catalgoues are showing plenty of lovely dresses due out for the summer season starting at $NZ169 and going up to $NZ300 plus
Tops & Tunics
A friend of mine bought an amazing silk print tunic at Saba recently.  Deep blue splashed with tiny stylized butterflies. Flowing out over white jeans it looked fabulous.
Glorious jewel like colours in all styles are available at Veronika Maine in both NZ and AU with a more summery range in AU that will shortly arrive in NZ.
Kimberleys catalogue is showing heaps of colourful tunics to wear with leggings. 
If you need a great piece to take you through spring check out this top at Molly N.  Geraldine and I each bought one this winter but now they are reduced to $NZ69 available to buy online in 3 colours from small to extra large. It's called Kenzo - top right.  A really great quality, easy to wash fabric. And while you are here on this page enter the MollyN competition to win a $NZ100 voucher.
Jackets
Simply the best for cut and colour are the new jackets at Veronika Maine.  At $NZ375 for the most expensive and at $AU215 for the most gorgeous pretty black jackets and others in lovely cropped Audrey Hepburn styles, they simply have to be considered.
Skirts
Gregory always has great skirts for work.  Especially their slim skirts.  Check out the new catalogue.
Accessories
Scarves are everywhere but the best are always at David Lawrence with Gregory and Witchery coming a close second.
The belts at Veronika Maine are the best.  Soft neutrals, colours and snakeskin at around $NZ125.

And that's just a start - if you know of some great pieces at great prices start a conversation here.  We would love you to share your knowledge and cut down on the legwork for us all.  Let us know the best in all sizes especially the hard to find petite and plus sizes.

Join the conversation below