via Vi.Sualize
I firmly believe that there is nothing wrong with a chain store love affair. In fact, chain stores are the epitome of a New Zealand girls wardrobe in general simply because of a lack of access to big fashion brands and a wider array of options.
Unfortunately, the inexpensive convenience of chain store shopping means sharing your favorites with hundreds of other girls and when you live in a country as small as New Zealand it means that the chance of running into another wearing the same clothes is all to high.
Chain store shopping has nothing to do with a lack of creativity, or love for innovative & interesting fashions – if I could afford it I would constantly splurge on New Zealand designer clothing.
But let’s be honest, when we’re actually looking for something to wear that’s a little more unique & individual, the chain store route just does not satisfy…
Do not despair! Meshing flair and individuality with a love of shopping the high street is not as difficult as it might seem. Meet shopping outside the box head on with some of these ideas:
Shop Online
The internet has little boundaries in terms of access to fashion. There are so many places to shop online, each offering unique clothing, shoes and accessories that will set you apart from other chain store shoppers. You also have access to second hand, vintage and hand made clothing and accessories, often at quite a bargain, really allowing you to grab ahold of really original items.
You may have to pay for shipping, but it is often worth the extra $$ in exchange for picking up something really unique. Just be sure to check sizing, measurements, and ask all questions first!
Look Around for Different Shopping Locations
Sure chain store often dominate shopping center’s, but look up odd alley’s, markets or in a new part of town and you might find stores you never knew existed before – stores that don’t sell clothing in mass quantities. I love trolling through Asian fashion stores located in alley ways off of the city’s main street. They are little gold mines, and I know my finds possess some degree of unique-ness.
Splurge Sometimes
I don’t recommend splurging on every purchase, but from time to time it’s okay to spend a lot of money on one item of clothing. I recommend spending a little more on a really nice, well cut pair of shorts than buying several pairs for less.
Swap Out Buttons, or Make Other Minor Alterations
This one is new to me, but it is one that works. It is relatively cheap and easy to swap out the buttons and replace them with your own. I swapped out smaller buttons for large round ones on a grey cardi of mine and it had a pretty altering effect!
On the same line of thought you could go for actually altering the piece, and there are some relatively easy ways to do this. Shortening longer skirts/pants, for instance. If you like the ‘bare bones’ of an item of clothing, then there probably is a way you can alter it into something that is a little more individual. This is a seriously awesome example of how a pretty average bag was altered into something amazing.
As far as alterations are concerned, if it seems to tricky, take it to an alterations place and they’ll sort you out!
If you want to incorporate individuality into your wardrobe just do it. Believe me, it is totally worth it when you get your hands on unique pieces that aren’t likely to crop up worn by those on the street around you. In a final note, good luck! & I am always welcoming of online shopping suggestions myself. 😉
61 comments
Great post. I have a really basic pea coat that I got from forever 21 and it had plastic buttons. I’m sure I’m not the only one with this dilemma, but the buttons started falling off. I took some old ones out of a vintage button jar my mom’s had forever and put various brass ones one and it looks super unique now. I get lots of compliments and it was really simple.
such a cool ideas will have to put them to use !
thanks:)
Very good advice. I used to have this problem when I was a student and didn’t have the budget for higher end purchases. I’d get everything out of H&M, but unfortunately so did everyone else on campus. I ended up hunting down vintage stores and smaller boutiques. It was definitely worth it! I also wish I had found ASOS at the time, but eBay did the trick as well! I would recommend splurging on investment pieces though. None of the coats or jackets I bought back then are ones I wear now, because the quality didn’t allow them to last beyond a few seasons.
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment! I love finding out about new fashion blogs. 🙂
I absolutely agree with all your tips above, by the way. The two that work best for me are shopping online and making minor alterations…especially since I have such broad shoulders.
This is great advice! I am guilty of a chain store love affair as well, but luckily I get to travel around so by buying things in foreign chain stores I keep my wardrobe varied! Ha. I’d love to shop online but I’m always worried that it won’t fit or won’t look as good as I had hoped — Times are hard so I have to try it on first to be sure!
Excellent post, darling!
Very informative!
xoxox,
CC
This article has FANTASTIC written all over it. Thanks for such a superb post and a slew of excellent ideas, Joanne! 🙂
This is a great post!
I’m not very fashionable.. It doesn’t do much for me. I tend to be a speed shopper, something has to attract my attention under 60 seconds or I leave the store ha I can’t help it it’s just the way I am haha.
Good point about the internet though I love online shopping. Browsing shopping (opposed to window shopping) I do need to take my measurements again I’m not so sure on sizing. I logic myself in to buying a few things if I’m buying online because that way the shipping is cheaper 😉 girl logic hahaha X
It’s so embarrasing to be caught out wearing the same outfit as someone else
@Mermaid: That sounds awesome, I think it really is the details that make coats so amazing in the end isn’t it? 🙂
@hauteworld: Thank you for sharing that!
@Luana: I do wish I traveled more, I’d love to get lost in a Forever 21 or Topshop one day!
@Katie: I’m like that when I’m shopping too, very all or nothing! I try to by several pieces too, sometimes shipping can be a bit of an irritant. ):
All great tips! What I especially love about online shopping is that you can try everything at home with different shoes and outfits. It’s worth the postage costs! Sabine x
greatest blog post EVER!! I totally agree with you. While chain stores are totally awesome. You can find some really amazing stuff online
What a fabulous post! I am a self-professed chain store addict; but I will definitely be branching out a bit thanks to these tips!! 🙂
great post! love it!
i have a friend who shops at nordstrom ALL DAY EVERY DAY. she dresses really cute, don’t get me wrong, but she gets so upset when other girls have the same stuff as her. she shops at nordstrom! what does she expect?!
i do the chain store thing too but i LOVE shopping online. find the best stuff there.
great advice! We all need some money saving tips in this economy!
so true. nothing worse than seeing someone who looks like a walking sportsgirl advertisment
What great advice! Like you I am very pro chain-stores – they’re where most of my clothes come from. I’d like to be more adventurous but I have to say compared to just popping in to Topshop it’s a lot more effort! Like you say internet buys mean paying shipping which if it’s a heavy item can get expensive fast, and I often find that more individula pieces will naturally be offered in less sizes and therefore often not fit so well.
I think your idea of making small alterations to high street clothes is a really good one, likewise being on the look out for interesting new places to shop. My tip would be always try stuff on, even if you aren’t sure you never know!
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