The smart girl’s guide to dressing best for less

Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld once created an uproar when he came out with a collection of relatively low-end clothes for the mass market retailer H&M. In an ad that announced the once inconceivable move, one high society fashionista, wracked with anguish and disbelief, shouted, “Karl, is it true?” When Lagerfeld confirmed the rumor, the fashionista declared, “But it’s cheap!” Karl replied, “What a depressing word. It is all about taste. If you are cheap, nothing helps!” (To watch the  ad, log on to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSV3-UOe9Jg)

Armed with this philosophy, Uptown/Downtown gives you four great tips on how to look like a million bucks without having to spend as much.

1) Look to the stars. Did you ever wonder how celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Keira Knightley, Cameron Diaz, Demi Moore or several of our local stars manage to look fabulous? These powerhouses have management teams that hire professional fashion stylists like Rachel Zoe, Nicola Formichetti and Joanne Black to handle their clients’ entire look. So where do you come into the picture? By identifying which celebrities you have some general semblance with, you can use the directives given to these stars.

For example, if you have the skin tone, facial shape and hair length of Eva Mendes then you can research on what hairstyles and makeup techniques she uses to look her best. If you have the body type of Keira Knightley or Salma Hayek, then you can closely study the cuts of their clothes or the length of their skirts and pants, shoe heights and accessory choices that make the stars sizzle.

There are a few factors that do come into play when you “borrow” celebrity styles. First, make sure that apart from sharing a general look you also share the personality of the star. If you are a very shy and conservative person then clearly dressing like Sofia Vergara will not be in your best interest. Another caveat is to never forget that your unique self should always shine through. Yes you may have gotten clothing ideas that these stars pay millions for but in the end, you do not want to be a celebrity copycat. Your goal is to still be you (plus the free beauty and fashion directives).

2) Invest and multiply. Spend your money on clothes that have impressive cuts. These items make the foundation of your wardrobe. These pieces also serve as samples for the reproductions that you will have your reliable costurera make. Every smart fashion-conscious woman has a go-to modista whom she can rely on. If for some reason you would not know of any, ask your friends or research online.

For years I have used my dear friend Linda Tolentino who was the head pattern maker of a garment firm I had worked with. I would bring her a number of my designer pieces and would provide her fabric that I would buy from Divisoria. She would replicate the outfits perfectly and in the end, I would have copies of my Guccis, Ralph Laurens and L’Wren Scotts.

Again, I have to add extra points of caution when trying this route. Be familiar with the capacity of your costurera and start her off with relatively simple and basic designs. Always give her a physical sample of what you want copied instead of an illustration or photo because nothing beats the real, tangible model. Do not skimp on the quality of your fabrics and accessories — your penury will show!

Finally, think “apples are to apples.” If your sample is made of taffeta, then make sure the fabric you provide is also made of taffeta.      

3) Go Downtown for that Uptown look. My friend Inno Sotto once told me, “Seriously, you can find some of the best knits in Greenhills.” He is right. If a woman takes the time and effort to go through the kazillion clothes the area has to offer, she would find some twin sets and Henleys that are also offered in J. Crew.

I have a printed jersey dress that I bought in Divisoria for less than the price of a classy restaurant entrée that has received dozens of compliments from women who think it is a Moschino or a Tahari. Do take time out to thoroughly inspect your prospective purchase. Is the stitching tight and even? Are all the accessories in place and properly attached? Is the fabric free of any run or discoloration? Go over the outfit thoroughly as you would a very pricey item.

4) Know the power of accessories. Fashion retailer Joanna Preysler always looks so chic. Most of the time, I have observed Joanna wearing dresses or knit top/jeans sets using very basic cuts. The factor that makes Joanna’s look stand out is her careful use of accessories. She is careful to match a chartreuse jersey dress for instance with a sizeable gold cross necklace with matching bracelets. To finish the look, Joanna (a designer of animal skin bags) touts a chocolate brown crocodile skin handbag. I would advice women to invest in accessories using storylines. Good investments would include metallic pieces (in gold and/or silver) and a pearl or a semi-precious/precious stone collection.

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