The new rich

As true fashion warriors will tell you, when the going gets tough, yup, the stylishly brave still go shopping. They feel the economic crunch, but they fight back not by tightly holding on to their cash and letting the retail stores and designers die a slow death. They don their chic ensembles from seasons past and look at clothes with sharper, wiser eyes. Their money goes to worthwhile items they can wear for seasons to come, or they snatch trendy bargains and enjoy their cheap thrill. The economic climate may be ugly, but that’s no reason for everyone to start looking ugly, too.

Enter Nur, a quaint store located near the showbiz central hub of Quezon City. It’s like a little jewelry box with stylish items luring you to go in and try them on. “Nur is all about effortless style. Looking good without looking contrived,” shares Leila Kuzma, one of the owners of the store. Looking through the racks, you see a well-edited collection ranging from crisp tops to chic dresses and edgy pants. “Our aesthetic is clean, structural and a little edgy, but not too much that they look hard to wear. The Nur shopper is a stylish woman who wants to look good no matter where she goes and what she does. We have items for hip teenagers, busy working girls, and chic moms,” adds co-owner Vanessa Lagarde. Their dominantly black and white collection with touches of the season’s hottest colors, reminds you of that stylish, chic woman you wanted to look like when you were still a little girl. Even just hanging from the racks, you see how slipping into them can instantly change you. “We always make sure that our items are body-friendly, meaning they’re flattering even on different body types. Women of all sizes can look good with our items. Our items are also very affordable, with prices ranging from P1,000 for a nice top you can wear for weekdays and the weekend, up to P3,000 for a dress you can wear for both work and chi-chi events,” adds Leila.

I have always prided myself on being a wise shopper. It takes a lot for me to let go of my hard-earned money, but the 10 minutes I was inside the store, I saw at least three items I wanted to buy right then and there. For 10 minutes, I forgot about the economic mess the world is in right now and I had dreams about perky collars, slick pants and life-changing dresses. Trivial thoughts to some, but seeing how the world is still full of beauty and promise, you can’t help but smile and look forward to another day.

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Nur is located at 225 Tomas Morato, Q.C. (tel. 415-5907).