Firstly - Zara - that fab fave of the high street - Zara is my go to on the high street (and if you live in London - seriously Duke of York Square, Kings Road - the BEST Zara store by a long fashion mile).
My top tips for Zara purchases - tailor them - it may seem like madness to spend almost as much on the tailor as the garment but it will take that £10 purchase to £1000 fit. Last Saturday (the day of the new big purchase - oooh) I wore a Zara jacket that i had altered - all they did was put in shoulder pads - and i was asked (in Lanvin - twice!) where i got it - if the fabric is good (and herein lies the rub) it is worth getting the fit right. I use Atelier Colpani in Mayfair - they are unbelievably good.
I keep all the spare buttons from my designer purchases and here charity shops come in too - if the button is good and the price is right, buy it for the button - they are hard to source really good buttons - so find them, keep them and then swap - makes the world of difference. Button Queen in Marylebone are a good source for buttons too. VV Rouleaux also amazing for trims - ribbon etc.
I bought a fab Zara maxi this season - but the belt was a tad cheap - swapped the belt for a chloe one - repeatedly asked were it is from and no-one believes me when i say Zara. It really is in the accessories.
A lot of Zara garments do not wash well - dont dry clean - it is way harsh - buy a Janie dry spot cleaner (totally chemical free) from John Lewis and steam - i think this is my tip of the century - these little wonders get rid of so much and save your clothes from the ravages of dry cleaners who often ruin more than they clean.
I will have a little re-enaction this weekend and post these two outfits next week - even if i freeze as they are both very summery and sussex certainly is not!!
To keep your fashion appetite whetted and sated - how about a fab inspirational post that we can all emulate - nearly the weekend xx
The inimitable Shala Monroque courtesy of Wayne Tippets
THE most useful post ever! Thank you so much for the tips, especially on the tailors and dry cleaning solutions! Totally agree with you about the fabrics, buttons and accessories - they certainly take a garment to a completely new level.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and Frank, the baby, a great day and wonderful weekend!
x
Ah, now that's a look that even I could carry off! Love Wayne's pics - probably more than Scott's! Thanks for the tips - great post!
ReplyDeleteFantastic post, every time I pick something up from the dry cleaners it looks like a rag. I love the girl above, the denim and yellow are so cheery and summery together.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree with all of your top tips for looking great on a budget! Lot of people will tell me, I don't shop at x,y,z stores because the quality is junk. That is not entirely true, Zara has a lot of great items, and if you look hard there is silk, wool, and cashmere items there. I've had pieces for years and they've held up. I do dry clean everything, in the US we have processes that are quite refined to preserve fabrics. I'd love to go to London and peruse through the button and ribbon shop...good trimmings can often disguise an inexpensive items! I'd love to buy some leather covered buttons.
ReplyDeleteLittle Rus - thank you!! such a top comment - the boyo says doggie hey x
ReplyDeleteJennifer - there are so many talented photographers and yes he is one of them - and Shala doesnt hurt either x
Tabitha - i know that was a tip given to me by a stylist and is worth its weight in gold!
B inspired - It is all in the fabric and that is the key i feel to high street shopping x
amazin post and blog:0
ReplyDeletekiss rouli
Such good tips! Thank you! And I'm also a huge believer in accessories making the outfit!
ReplyDeleteExcellent tips. Shall bear them all in mind.
ReplyDeleteA visit to Zara Kings Rd is planned for next month. Have a joyous weekend;-)
love your tips! they ver helping for me, specially since i live in a city where Zara is the best we have, well and Mango (that's why i love to buy on the web)... so we don't many stores different from that, and sometimes it happens that you find people wearing the same stuff so changing buttons is a very good idea, sometimes i diy some garments, but i don't have much, although i love to diy because it makes it different and also, it has my touch in it!
ReplyDeletexx
My Fashion Bug
Fashion Art - have a wonderful weekend too and you never know may see you in Duke of York Square xx
ReplyDeleteMariale i am so glad you like it - Diy is another fab way to individualise x
Thanks Rouli and Linds x
Fantastic tips!! Me encanta la combinación del amarillo con la camisa vaquero!!
ReplyDeleteBuen fin de semana y no compres mucho!!!...
Besos, desde España, Marcela
11 August 2011 0
I JUST recently purchased a pair of bright pink denim from Zara and thought the same thing abut the tailoring!! The size down was waaay too small but the size up (the ones I purchased) the knees are baggy! (you can see them in my "slutty conservative" post) Everyone thinks I'm crazy when I say I want to tailor them. I'm glad we're on the same page :)
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff... but just needs a bit more attention concerning fit.
sooo bold colours!!!! thanks for the tips at Zara.
ReplyDeleteFollow me on:
Miss Kwong - Art and Fashion
Thanks MArcella xx
ReplyDeletePAperdoll - Zara tailored will be as good as any medium range designer - it is the fit that counts - you are abs right x
This post is perfect. I'm planning on a little shopping trip today, and this will all be kept in mind.
ReplyDelete-Ellie
Amazing post dear ♥
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started reading your post I was going to suggest Button Queen... next paragraph Button Queen it was!
ReplyDeleteI have that Zara is incredible for getting some pieces and making them look high end! Although I've never gone as far as re-tailor them, once I deconstructed an old blazer from Zara (but was a bit disappointed with the lack of quality of its 'intestines')!
Paola - i so knew you would know button queen! I can imagine the inners would seriously lack that really is what you pay for when you buy from the upper end, the craftmanship x
ReplyDeleteGreat tips especially since Zara is one of my fav stores as well. Thanks for this girl :)
ReplyDelete:) Lovely
ReplyDeleteLove,
www.chicksinfeathers.co.cc
fantastic tips.
ReplyDeletep.s. my tailor/alteration specialist is the best in town. Catherine on Fulham road at Fulham Broadway. She's a miracle worker!
Thanks David - you dont know a good seamstress?? who will make from scratch? xx
ReplyDeleteFantastic post-very interesting to read!
ReplyDeleteLook at those girl's shoes.....amazing!
hugs and kisses by Mani.
Great post, thanks for the tips, especially about steaming and finding awesome buttons. I agree with getting items tailored, it's all about the fit!
ReplyDeletei love this post - thank you for sharing! :-) i often need to alter clothes for better fit. and i'm a big fan of Zara too! this photo has been also in my 'inspiration' folder ;-)
ReplyDeleteExcellent photo.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post on many levels. 1 for the great advice and 2 for the name of your tailor. I have something I bought from Reiss last year that just doesnt sit well. I have been scratching my head were to take it to have it fixed. So off to your tailor I am going. Xxxx
ReplyDeletethis combination is great..jeans and yellow together are amazig!
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gorgeous yellow skirt =) I love your blog so much. The pictures in your previous post are so delightful. Now following your gorgeous blog x
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love the colour combination, so beautiful
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Love the color of that skirt!!!!
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Hi, your blog is amazing!
ReplyDeleteI like the pictures.
Check out mine :)
Claire, this is a fantastic post! I think I'll link back to it on Monday. :) These are great tips and I'll make sure to mark them down. I usually take my pants to the tailor, but what you say about the rest of the items you alter too makes so much sense. And the dry cleaning solution, this is priceless info. I hope you're having a beautiful day! xoxo
ReplyDeleteAda
Your tips are really useful...
ReplyDeleteNice look...
not too flashy,
but it sure will turn heads ... lovely ♥
Thank you for the tips!!!
ReplyDeleteAh so sad that we don't have Zara here in Iowa. What a bummer right? I hope they open an open store soon! I feel myself so outdated not being bale to shop at Zara. LMAO.
Like your blog. Now I am following you. :)
ReplyDeleteHey I can send you some good contacts but your email address is not on your blog. Email me for more...
ReplyDeleteAda - would be well chuffed with the linkback - have a good one xx
ReplyDeleteDavid - thanks again x
Dvora - they are fab - glad to be of help x
You're right that is a good Zara store there. Shala looks fantastic! Great tips doll! -xxoo
ReplyDeleteNice look!
ReplyDeletexxx
What helpful tips. You are so right...tailoring and accessories can make a world of difference. Lovely informative post!
ReplyDeletexo
Sada
Dressology HQ
Oh, I missed this post when it came out so just reading it now - this is a great post! I agree, Zara is amazing for great fashion finds at a very reasonable price. And it's so true about the accessories and the buttons! Great advice!
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