How to stay in style on a college budget

One of the problems that college students face is finding ways to keep their wardrobe fresh and fashionable while still being able to afford tuition and food.

However, there are a few simple ways to try and achieve a balance between fashion and being a student.

Instead of going to the mall to buy a new dress, stopping by a local thrift or vintage shop is a better option for a student’s budget.

In recent years, shopping at thrift stores has become mainstream. Gone are the days where you would feel embarrassed about wearing second-hand clothing.

Fashion styles get recycled time and time again

Students can spruce up outfits by wearing styles from other eras, such as the 80’s or 90’s. This season, women can expect to be wearing plaid or tartan prints, sweatshirts, blush pink coats and oversized outerwear. Men, will also be wearing plaid, biker jackets, chunky knits and eclectic dinner suits.

Langara student, Ratina Dhaliwal agrees that mixing pieces together helps create trendy outfits.“Colour is good. Buying a few good pieces and accessorizing them is also good,” she said.

Going through your own closet can help save money; all it takes is a little creativity using basic pieces that everyone already owns.

“Basically making something look new is to wear it differently,” said blogger Cee Fardoe of Coco and Vera.  “Mixing it with other pieces and if you have basic pieces like black mini skirts, a pair of jeans or a basic dress you can really mix basics with everything. What makes an outfit look new is wearing it differently.” She also said that jewellery can transform a whole outfit.

Affordable shopping in Vancouver

Students can go and dish for cheap and trendy items at Value Village on Victoria Drive. This second-hand store has gently used clothing, shoes and accessories. It’s very easy to navigate through the store to find items, while prices range from 25 cents to 30 dollars. Shirts for both men and women go between $3.00 to $5.00 and shoes range from $12.00 to $16.00.

“Once the tag is off, no one knows if it’s a new,” said Fardoe.

If your style is more of a designer look, Fardoe recommends the vintage store Turnabout on south Granville and West Broadway.  The store sells trendy second-hand designer clothing. Fardoe said that this store has genuine designer clothing and accessories. Prices may be a bit steep but keeping an eye out for their sales is key and will not disappoint.

This slideshow looks at student fashion and affordable options at Value Village. All photos by Dana Bowen and Marie Del Cid.

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Reported by Marie Del Cid and Dana Bowen