Looking out of this world doesn't have to cost the earth according to three thrifty stylists DEIRDRE MCQUILLANcharged with putting together outfits with budgets of €50, €100 and €150. Turn the page to find out which one was cheapest
Aisling Farinella
stylist and Thread editor
Yellow polo knit dress €3 from Ritzy Rags,
25 Bolton Street, Dublin
Grey turtleneck from Mark Spencers, €22
Embroidered leather belt, €25, from Bow
Vintage, Powerscourt Townhouse, Dublin.
Shoes, models own.
Total cost: €50
“I went out knowing that I would like colour to cheer things up. I wanted to try and find just one piece from a charity or vintage shop to save me going to Penneys. Personally, I always pick up the odd piece from vintage because you can always get bargains, though you have to look around. Ritzy Rags is the most organised charity shop I know – all the dresses are €3 euro, the tops just €1 and you can find great French linen there.
“I started with the yellow dress and I thought about how I would style it and I love polo necks because they are right in season, so cool, so beatnik, so ’60s and in loads of movies and, besides, they are warm. I had spotted the belt before and thought it would bring things together.”
Niamh O’Rourke
stylist, journalist and show producer
Floral digital print trousers with black tuxedo style side seam from Topshop, €61
PU and canvas jacket from Penneys Limited
Edition €32 (in store now)
Black knit sweater with zipped back, €10 from
Penneys.
Shoes, model’s own.
Total cost: €103
“My love is frugality, particularly at the moment. It is not about limiting yourself to the high street or vintage, but about the considered purchase.
“When I buy something, it has to fit in with what I already have and work within what is already there, though sometimes I absolutely fall in love with something, but I have to think about it – and I have always shopped that way. I still want to have really nice pieces every season, but it is much more considered now. I’m finding, however, that my wardrobe is becoming more black these days.”
Annmarie O’Connor
award-winning stylist and journalist
Red silk satin dress by Alessandro dell’Acqua with black embellished sleeves, €90 from Siopaella,
Temple Bar, Dublin
Black handbag with Perspex handle, €30 from Shotsy, Temple Bar,
Black tights,€3 from Dunnes Stores
Belt, stylist’s own, shoes model’s own
Total cost: €123
“I am a divil for a bargain and I love the perverse thrill of the chase. This leather skirt, for instance, was €11 from Oxfam a couple of years ago. To balance all this, I do believe in quality and will always spend on a great overcoat or shoes, but I think there are amazing designer consignments stores around the country, in particular Siopaella where I shop a lot. A recent find was a vintage silver fox jacket, for €295 which would have been originally €3,500.
“The key to snapping a bargain is to find the time. Now many places are on Facebook, so you can link into the social network. Other favourite places are sample sales.”
