Chic & Cheerful

I have always loved shopping (which I can officially declare is a gene I inherited from my Mum) and probably always will. I have learnt that the key to a sizeable savings account is not so much how much you earn, but rather how much you save. As I begin a new chapter in my life and slowly embark on a journey towards financial independence, I’d like to think that with the money I earn, I will have the capacity to do what I want, when I want. And that includes shopping! But to restrain from breaking the bank, I have devised a fewhandy tips to stay reasonably chic during a recession:

Buy a beautiful pair of nude pumps that will carry you through all the seasons. They’re classy and are easy to match with all the au courant trends. I bought these pair of patent beige pumps from Beijing whilst on exchange. They are now a must even on my travels. The snake skin print on the heels give them a funky edge, except Mum once thought I got stuck in the mud wearing them but eventually realized that they were oh-so-pretty.

Please meet Suria. She was purchased on 10 December 2008 and was lost that evening somewhere in Melbourne. If found please return :)

Instead of splurging on the latest runway looks, use accessories to stay on top of trends. Dress up your basic block coloured t-shirt or LBD with a chunky necklace, a massive cocktail ring or over the top earrings ~ One of the reasons I started U-Fhern.com was because I wanted to create exclusive yet affordable jewellery. All pieces have been handmade by moi and there is only one of each design! So there is no chance you’ll see anyone else sporting the same look. Jump onto the site and you might find something special to reward yourself with. For cheaper alternatives, you can hit stores like Diva or Sportsgirl and you’ll find racks of affordable jewellery.

Zac Posen for Target

Want to continue having your doses of designer wear? With many labels having multiple denim lines and big name designers teaming up with retailers, its still possible to in a thriftier manner. It’s fashion’s new edge. Previously recruiting Kate Moss, the new season has Matthew Williamson in store for H&M fans. Locally, we have Allanah Hill spreading some of her romantic designs into Jeans West and Target exhibiting works by the likes of Stella McCartney and Zac Posen. 

There is a Chinese saying Mum often repeats when she finds that after purchasing a cheap good, they turn out to be of poor quality. But I have found that with Australia’s regulations surrounding consumer products, I have not yet (touchwood) encountered any poor quality local products even though the price tags attached are not excessive. Work clothes with a twist from Cue and pretty dresses from Review have allowed me to purchase classic basics and current stylish pieces at a decent price. 

On the topic of decent prices, the most valuable items for work are my Shanghai tailored shirts which I acquired in bulk for a mere AUD$13 each! The tailors are fabulous. They are able to rush last minute alterations and there are so many options offered from beautiful materials, collars, cuffs and embroidery of whatever you like, wherever you like. And if you buy in numbers like my friends and I did, the tailors just might throw in a few cuff links for free!

Recommendation: Mian Liao Shi Chang
Apart from the Xiao Long Bao, Shanghai is also well known for its awesome tailors. Mian Liao Shi Chang is a market filled with tailors who can make dresses, coats, qi paos, suits and shirts. So take your time in choosing a tailor (though I suspect there must be a factory somewhere else, because there is no way these front men can alter a dozen pieces overnight), bring a photo of the design you want or better still, a sample of a shirt you like and want the style copied for instance.