A Three-Part Installment by Sway Contributor Odeen Eccleston

Chanel, Dior, Marc Jacobs,  Christian Louboutin…all creative deities  that we know on a first and last name basis who make shoes, bags and outfits so beautifully and intricately designed, that otherwise decent human beings commit brazen, blasphemous sins in order to attain them.

But as a young person, particularly in today’s callous economy, unless you’ve established a secure career for yourself and have now arrived at certified baller status (or are lucky enough to have a generous and successful soul mate who is), if it hasn’t already, an addiction to this type of top-rate retail will lead you nowhere but to the morbid pits of bankruptcy and debt.

“But Odeen!” you cry, “though I’ve plummeted myself into deplorable debt, and though I MUST recover,  I MUST  also somehow afford to stay fly in the process! But how!?!”

Well, you need not worry; what you need to do log on daily to my blog here at Swaymag.ca where for the next few days I will be dropping major tips on how to maintain your high-end look from head to toe while staying out of or elevating yourself from the dark hole of debt.

Today’s Topic : Clothes

When escaping from out of dire financial straits, keeping up with appearances at the exclusive VIP-only week-night hot spots and the swanky week-end clubs should be at the extreme bottom of your priority list. Socializing in itself can prove problematic and pricey if you’re a young person in debt. But for those extroverts with a passion for fashion but without the long money to support their insatiable appetite for glamour, there are ways to pain your pockets less.

1. Mix and Match. Though high-end clothing looks great, middle and even lower end designer clothes often look just as stunning. Remember that it is your individual essence, style and aura that truly “makes” the outfit; and that the price point of the clothing is not what “makes” you.  Look like a million bucks while sparing your credit card bill thousands by pairing one previously purchased high-end purse (for example) with a simple, label-less dress from H&M or Forever 21. Note: Rocking an overkill of labels looks tacky and screams insecure. One seems more confident, classy and cool when not robed in an entire Louie V ensemble from top to bottom. Instead attempt to look like you’re adept at putting an outfit together and save money in the process by boycotting the ridiculously over priced high-end labels until you can truly afford to wear them.
2. Return expensive gifts. Your ex-boyfriend forgot to call you on your birthday; so laden with guilt, he has flowers and a Gucci dress delivered to your front door.  If you are in debt- what do you do?

a) brag to your friends and post a pic of your new posh present on your BBM

b) buy the matching Gucci shoes to complete the ensemble

c) it’s not quite your taste so put it neatly away until a deserving bff’s b-day comes up; you can re-gift it to her.

The correct answer:  d) NONE of the above!

Instead, what you will do is call the thoughtful fellow and thank him for the kind, gentlemanly gesture, jump on your iPad to the Gucci website, find out how much the dress is worth, dig for the gift receipt in the bottom of the bag and return the fabulous frock for the whopping  $895 dollars.

You will then proceed to thank the friendly cashier, thank God for the store’s splendid hassle-free return policy, and expeditiously head to your bank to put that cash towards your credit card debt.  Simple. You can find the knockoff of that dress at Bebe (if you must have that style) for 100 bucks. If you’ve presently got any payments in arrears, this is no time to be accepting lavish gifts. Though the person kind enough to give you a belated birthday surprise may be rich, you are not, (yet)… so you gotta make some pain-staking sacrifices.

1. Sell the clothes and accessories you no longer wear. Go through your closet today and set aside all of the clothes you have not worn in one year or more. Now is the time to sell these items on Ebay and put the money from the sales towards your debt.
2. Support local, up and coming designers. Often local designers have one of a kind pieces and sample sales that you, as a fashionista can benefit from greatly. They make quality clothing that you can feel patriotic and proud to sport.
3. Expose your inner creativity. If you took sewing class in high school, or have a natural knack for designing, now is the time to hone and implement your skill and talent.  Use your imagination to conceive of something that’s totally you! No one knows your body and what complements it better than yourself so this is the perfect opportunity for you to create a masterpiece. Head to the fabric store, purchase a few meters of fabric for $20 bucks and go home to create a piece that people will guess cost you hundreds. It’ll be an item that suits your unique style and boasts the added benefit of a zero percent chance of some random chick rocking the exact same skirt as you to the club. Note: In addition to creating items of clothing for yourself from scratch, it is also frugally fun and sensible to re-vamp items that you already own. Cut up a faded pair of jeans for a whole new look,  or even buy a cheap oversized, 15 dollar skirt from a discount retailer, and make it your own by transforming it into a shirt that is chic and one-of-a-kind.
4. Wait to buy shoes on sale. They are last season’s sensation…… so what!? They are a solid, stylish pair of shoes that will last you years if you take care of them and you got them at a steal! Half the price that the foolish fanatics paid for them just 3 months ago when they were fresh on the shelves.
5. Avoid impulsive purchases. Impulse shopping is a right reserved solely for those who can afford to enjoy the thrill and excitement of impulse shopping. That pair of Chanel boots that you lust for are sexy, but you can allocate those funds to pay for half of a semester of your school’s tuition; so make the educated decision to think before to buy.

…..to be continued.

*** Check here for tips on how to cut your all-important hair budget by 50%.

Have any style, lifestyle or real estate questions for Odeen?  Don’t hesitate to email her at: misstorontorealtor@gmail.com, or check out her website at www.MissTorontoRealtor.com

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