In recent years, we have become so used to 'fast' fashion that we no longer want to spend lots of money on our clothes, especially the latest trends. In the UK you can pick up great quality fashion along with your weekly shop but Spain isn’t quite there yet in terms of choice, quality and value. Many expat women in Spain often complain that they don’t have lots of money to buy clothes in expensive designer shops but they still want to keep up with the trends. A different climate, lifestyle and unfamiliar shops often leads to women impulse buying and wasting money on things that don’t suit them. The reality is that for many people starting off in Spain, they must keep to a fairly strict budget and expensive price tags puts them off clothes.
So how can you look your best in Spain without spending a fortune?
Know Your Figure and Style
- There is no point shopping for Kate Moss when your body is more Nigella Lawson. You must recognise your own figure in order to follow the trends that flatter you best. Stick to the clothes which look good on your body. If you don’t know what they are, try some clothes on for an honest friend and ask his or her opinion.
- Find a style that suits you and make it your signature look. It could be the wrap dress or skinny jeans.
Know What You Have Already and Make the Most of it
- Look in your wardrobe and make a list of things that you already have and that you really want to keep.
- Put it into sections by writing down what dresses you have, jeans, skirts, etc.
- Lay your clothes out in different combinations. Try putting different colours together or adding accessories such as belts, scarves etc.
- Think about the current looks that appeal to you. Flick through magazines, research on the internet, have a browse around some shops. Think about how you can use what you have to create up to date outfits. Write this down to remind yourself.
- Make a list of what is lacking to make up outfits.
- Avoid dry cleaning bills by removing stains yourself with the fantastic products that can be bought in Spanish supermarkets.
- Dye your shoes to give them a new lease of life. Again the supermarkets such as Carrefour stock shoe dyes.
- Get shoes re heeled, repaired etc
- Keep your clothes in good condition by wearing a track suit/loungewear around the house and your good clothes for outside.
- Sew missing buttons on.
- Get clothes altered to fit perfectly. Alterations are much cheaper in Spain than in the UK. For a hem line alteration expect to pay anywhere between 4 and 10 euros depending on where you live.
Know What Others Have
- Invite friends over to pass on good condition clothes and shoes that you no longer want and they can reciprocate by doing the same for you.
- Know what your family has by offering to help clean out older relatives’ lofts and cupboards. You never know what vintage goodies from different eras are hidden away that you could be enjoying.
How Should Your Wardrobe Look
- It should be organised, organised, organised. Find a system that suits your style of dressing. It may be organised according to colour or garment type. Check out IKEA for ideas on organising your wardrobes.
- Those on a budget can’t go wrong if 70% is classic and 30% trendy.
What You Should Keep
- Classic, good fitting boot cut jeans and trousers.
- Some of the summer fashions will be carried through to autumn/winter such as a-line skirts, tulips and pretty dresses which can be worn over leggings or skinny jeans during winter.
- Nice winter coats
- Comfortable, good quality leather boots.
What You Should Get Rid Of
- Anything that you haven’t worn in the past 12 months.
- Clothes or shoes that are too big or too small.
- Anything beyond repair.
- Faded clothes.
- Anything you really dislike and regret buying.
Use Your Basics
- With basics you will always have clothes to wear as everything matches. However, you can have too many basics and this is when fashion boredom sets in.
- Some people feel 'safe' in neutral colours. If this is you and you are intimidated by colour, start to introduce it to your wardrobe with accessories.
- Colour variety gives a neutral wardrobe personality and takes you out of your comfort zone.
- Work around your basics by maintaining a balance. Pick one item and adapt it to suit your mood for the day.
Make The Most Of Your Black
- You might look in your wardrobe and get overwhelmed by a mass of black tops and jeans. Do not despair, a black vest and jeans can be livened up with a bright chunky necklace or a bright skinny belt.
- Black can easily become boring but only if you let it. Keep it up to date and exciting by trying some of the following:
- With a black work suit, wear a bright shirt underneath or carry a coloured tote bag. Add some interesting shoes or quirky jewellery.
Make it Audrey Hepburn chic for smart casual. Wear your black three quarter lengths or full length trousers with a fitted white shirt and fun pumps in a bright colour or animal print.
- In the winter through a bright coat in red or mustard over a black outfit.
Invest In Some Basics
- Some people have lots of interesting clothes but yet nothing to make an outfit from. Add some basics to the garments that proclaim your style and you will find yourself with loads of outfit combinations as they allow you to draw your wardrobe together and get more wear out of your other clothes.
- For basics that you plan to wear often, look for the best you can afford within your budget. They will last longer and wash better. For classic basics try to hold out for the sales.
What Are The Basics?
- Good fitting underwear in plain white, black or nude.
- A white shirt – Zara, H&M. Maybe two, long and short sleeved.
- Black trousers - this season’s skinny or wide leg it’s up to you or maybe good old flattering boot cut – H&M have loads of choice this season.
- Black skirt – pencil or A line.
- Black polo neck – look out for this season’s puff sleeved ones to wear under dresses and with trousers.
- Indigo and black bootcut jeans. Okay I know shinnies are in but stuff fashion, bootcut are so much more flattering.
Add To Your Basics With A Handful Of This Season’s Trends
The key trends for autumn/winter include animal print, patent, tartan and knitted dresses. Look out for little puff sleeved fitted blouses to wear with your basics. If you are going to buy a pair of black trousers, try a pair of high waisted black ones. Perhaps invest in a couple of 60s and 70s inspired dresses. Some of the pinafore ones can be worn over a poloneck top with cosy tights and boots.
Do Lots of Research
- Look around yourself and notice other people that you think look good and dress well.
- Look at shop window, in magazines etc
- Do not overwhelm yourself when you go window shopping. Have ideas in mind but be careful not to get too distracted by the latest trends until you get your capsule wardrobe together.
- Start with a colour scheme. It could be as simple as black, white with a dash of red or mustard. If you stick to two or three coordinating colours you are less likely to be overwhelmed by the mass of different coloured displays in the shops.
- As you get to know your style and the shops on offer, you will gradually discover which shops are best for you.
- Think outside your “fashion box”. If you are normally conservative, try on a boho style dress that you can still wear with your conventinal black straight trousers.
Accessorise
- Accessories are a great way of tying in the latest trends with your basics. Once you are more aware of what you have you can add some accessories. It needn’t cost a fortune, check out the markets or do swaps with friends.
- Try to add a piece of jewellery to every outfit. It could be a pair of earring, a necklace or a scarf. Don’t over do it and use with simple outfits.
- Update your handbag and carry one in keeping with your overall look.
Have Clothes for Every Season
People tend to find that they have more clothes for their favourite season and their wardrobe has gaps for others. Think about your needs for all the seasons and those in between stages and think about how you can fill in the gaps.
Don’t pack away your summer clothes once autumn is upon us. Okay, you might not be going to the beach in your bikini but your summer dresses aren’t completely redundant. Save money by stretching some pieces from your summer wardrobe over winter.
Dresses
Be creative and wear them over jeans or leggings. Try putting a scoop neck, long sleeved top or roll neck underneath them. Through a chunky long length cardigan over the top for cosiness (it does get cold in winter in Spain) add some tights and boots and your summer dress will se you through winter.
Skirts
You can get away with some summer skirts with a fine knit v-neck in a coordinating colour and boots.
Shorts
Don’t pack away the shorts, try the following!:
- Wear them with thick tights underneath and slouchy ankle or knee length boots.
- With plain shorts, try some funky diamond patterned tights.
- Wear knee length city shorts with a long fine knit jumper belted at the waist.
- Team with a crisp white shirt, leather belt, opaque tights and leahter boots for a cute but sharp look.
- They can be worn with polo necks e.g a pair of black shorts.can be worn with a fitted polo neck, opaques, leather boots and a funky belt
- For nights out, you can match shorts to babydoll or silky/satin tops for that contrast and glamour hint
- They go nicely with tank tops too
Vests
Wear them under tops and dresses to keep you cosy in the winter
T- Shirts
Essential for the current layered look, so keep them out for winter. We often get warm winter days so t-shirts are never a waste of money in Spain.
Where to Shop For What
- The markets for sandals, kaftans, bags, jewellery. However, do not be surprised to discover that it isn’t that cheap and UK shops such as Primark are actually cheaper and offer better quality.
- Try the outlets eg Factory
- Zara and H&M for classics, although H&M do a better range of sizes.
- Mango for the latest catwalk interpretations although the sizes are on the smaller side.
- Promod for knitwear.
Where Not to Shop
The markets in Spain for your main wardrobe. Contrary to what you would expect, the markets aren’t any cheaper than shops such as Zara and H&M. The quality is usually very poor and the tops in particular are always very synthetic looking and overpriced.
What to Buy in the Sales
- There are only two sale seasons in Spain as stock turnover is generally much slower to what we are used to in the UK. Do not expect any reductions on the lead up to Christmas as the sales really do not get going until the New Year after the Three Kings have visited on the 6th January. Be careful with sales and take heed of the following advice:
- Decide your spending budget before hand.
- The discounts aren’t brilliant on the Spanish high street. You won’t find anything on a par with the Next sales where people start queuing t five in the morning. They usually start at a minimal as 10% and 50% discounts are rare until they are desperate to get rid of the stuff that nobody wants.
- Do not rush the sales in Spain last for up to two months.
- Do not buy anything that you wouldn’t have bought had it not be in the sale.
- Look for real discounts. 60 euros down to 50 euros is no big saving for something that you are not desperate for.
Be Practical and look for:
Classic suits in shops like Zara and Mango.
Coats in timeless colours shapes and colours i.e. black, beige, brown
White shirts
Structured shaped designer bags
Basic t shirts in different colours/ short and long sleeved
Basic fine knit jumpers.
Cashmere knits
City shorts in beige, black, brown
Cropped trousers in beige, black, brown
A neutral coloured mac
Indigo bootcut jeans
- The classics are essential for anyone on a budget as they can be brought up to date with current accessories. In fact once you have your classic capsule wardrobe made of the best quality you can afford at the time, you can create so many looks with just a few extra coordinating tops etc.
- Stock up on underwear, pyjamas, socks etc.
What Not to Buy in the Sales
- Fashion trends unless you are certain that they will carry into next season.
- Anything that doesn’t fit properly. A pair of designer shoes at 70% off are not a bargain at two sizes too small. Having said that, if you are certain that they are that good a bargain you could always eBay them!
- Don’t worry if you come home with a pair of impractical glittery gold sandals or a bright mustard cardigan. Keep them to liven up your neutrals. You can wear the sandals with your LBD and the cardigan with your white shirt and jeans or an entire black outfit.
Key Tips When Shopping
- Make sure what you are going to buy can be worn with a t least five items in your wardrobe.
- An expensive price tag doesn’t necessarily mean good quality.
- Get to know fabrics when you are shopping. Touch and feel them. Scrunch them up to check if they crease easily. Avoid clothes that are going to give you more work. You didn’t come to Spain to spend you time hand washing and carefully ironing all your clothes whilst the sun shines outside!
- If you cannot find what you are looking for, don’t get in a panic and buy anything for the sake of it. Don’t worry; buy something else you enjoy such as a magazine or a DVD so you don’t feel that your trip has been a waste of time.
- Never buy anything just because you see everybody else wearing it.
- Be practical and buy clothes that can be worn dressed up or down.
- Don’t try to update your wardrobe on one shopping trip. Start with the key pieces. Try out a new look by buying a couple of pieces, try it at home and then decide if it is you. If you do it this way and you make a mistake you can find out gradually what you like and dislike without wasting lots of money.
- When you don’t have money, don’t go shopping as you can guarantee that you will see hundreds of things that you want to buy and you will only get down if you can’t afford them.