Fashion Blogs

The high/low theme is very popular in the media: How do you get the look for less? How do you look expensive on the cheap? Not to mention that you can find countless sites and articles that point you in the direction of the latest deals and discounts.

As a personal stylist and personal shopper, I have to care about what my clients spend on because that’s what they’re paying me for: the best knowledge and value using the resources they have. I often ask myself, “Are we really saving? Does buying cheap items save us money in the long-term? What is truly the best strategy for my clients? How come most Americans are living in debt? How come most of us would like to lose weight? Are these decisions really helping us or landing us further in the hole?”

Each of us is unique, and I always like to personalize my recommendations to a client or even a family member or friend.  However, based on my experience here are a few thoughts on where best to “spend” and where to “save”:

#1: Think of the whole picture.

Sadly, I see all too many women carrying an “it” bag that costs thousands of dollars while wearing an outfit that is basic and ill-fitting. A Louis Vuitton will not make a see-through, too-tight t-shirt, elastic-waist jeans, and dirty white tennis shoes become “classy”.  A better approach to overall style is to look at the big picture, not just at one piece.  Once you’ve determined your general shape, colors, and preferences, create a budget for your entire outfit that includes clothes, shoes, and accessories. This ensures a complete and consistent look – and great personal style – from head to toe.

#2: Details matter, but pick your battles.

Movie stars can get an expensive haircut, a facial, and a spray tan, and wear (or borrow) designer apparel, jewelry, and accessories.  Since most of us are on a budget, we cannot go high-end in everything.  That means picking and choosing which areas will give the most bang for our buck.  If I had to personally invest in just two areas, I’d spend my money on a) fresh food and b) a great hair cut.  Why the food? Eating well makes your skin and face glow, and fills you with energy and positivity.  No matter what you put on your body, when you eat well you feel more happy and healthy from the inside out.  No matter what your clothes, your body language and internal health always shines through.  Second, a great haircut can make even a basic outfit look polished and chic. With the right cut, you’ll save on styling time (the cut should compliment, not fight your hair’s natural movement and texture), and it will bring out the best features of your face and skin.

#3: Customize cheaply.

It’s pretty amazing what a bit of tailoring can do for a garment.  Mass-produced clothing cannot and will not fit everyone perfectly. But for under $50, you can tailor store bought pieces so they fit you like a glove.  This is one of the best investments you can make in your clothing, but it’s often not understood.  Enlist an experienced stylist (or at least a good tailor) and you can create “custom” style clothing for a fraction of the cost of new items.

We would love to hear your thoughts on High/Low style.  Feel free to share in the comments section below.