student fashion blog

Is the prospect of your university ball filling you with fear? Nothing for Cinders to wear? Well don’t worry, cash strapped students don’t need to spend a fortune on ball gowns or take out crippling loans or credit card debts to adequately clothe themselves for the party season! Savvy fashionistas will always find a way to look stunning without spending a fortune.

Firstly, forget designer. Most people can’t recognise non-couture wear at 50 paces, especially after a few drinks at a Christmas ball! Forget splashing out on expensive designer gear that’s likely to get damaged during the proceedings.

Head to the high street for terrific priced alternatives. Many of the fashion chains offer great copies of the catwalk favourites and early Christmas sales are already beginning, meaning you may even pick up a cut priced bargain for your big event!

It’s worth thinking broadly when it does come to high street clothing. For example, many supermarket chains now have excellent fashion ranges, which are very well priced.

If you do need a very fancy frock for your ball, then how about renting one? There are various agencies and rental shops that hold gorgeous stock that can be rented for far better prices than if you bought.

Just factor in dry cleaning prices and insurance costs and also remember that damage will need to be paid for, so think very carefully before pursuing this option!

How about going vintage for your ball dress? Vintage wear is hugely in fashion at the moment and ball gowns are a staple piece of any vintage lover’s wardrobe. Check your folks’ attic in the first instance, or head to charity shops, Oxfam Originals, vintage and thrift shops or look on Ebay.

You’ll be surprised at what you find and most basic dresses can be customised to suit you with a little creativity and accessorising.

Speaking of accessorising, how about recycling a dress from last year? Most of us own at least one party dress – a long black dress or even a short black cocktail dress. Head to your high street favourite stores to refresh a classic (read: ‘old’!) outfit with fresh new jewellery, shoes and a bag. You’ll be amazed at how different it will look!

You could also try holding a clothes swap evening with your friends with everyone throwing old ‘treasures’ into the mix for a recycling friendly swap. One woman’s junk is another woman’s treasure!

If you really are creative, how about customising an old dress into something new and personal to your style, or even rustling something up with the aid of a sewing machine?

There are usually lessons available for basic sewing lessons in university cities and plenty of online resources and books to help you get started. You’ll find plenty of well-priced material too online or in haberdashers. Buy off cuts to start practising on, or look in charity shops for fabrics.

Finally, a word on loans. Yes, we know they are tempting, particularly when you’re cash-strapped but be very careful about taking out new loans on top of existing student borrowing. If you truly find that you need loans to get you through the expensive festive season, then do your research.

Look at loans with the lowest interest rate. Online price comparison sites tend to be a good place to start. Aim to seek out the cheapest loans over the shortest borrowing period, so that you remove the liability as quickly as possible and avoid paying punitive interest rates.

If you can take on extra seasonal work over the Christmas period, it will allow you to pay off loans quicker – or save! Remember other short-term forms of borrowing too, such as a zero percent credit card (just ensure you pay it off in full during the promotional period) or a student overdraft.