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How Australian Fashion Week insiders budget for style

Australian Fashion Week, sponsored by CommBank, may serve up serious glamour but behind those chic street style shots, you’ll often find savvy shoppers making tight budgets work.

Top photo: AFC Australian Fashion Week

The best-dressed guests at Australian Fashion Week aren’t just runway-ready, they’re budget-savvy, too. We hit the streets to find out how fashion lovers keep their style game high without driving down their funds.

For Perth-based stylist Juvelle, fashion purchases must always follow one rule: “I have to be able to style it at least four different ways with what I already own,” she says. Her fashion fund gets a top-up every few months but she will often redirect money when bigger life expenses pop up, like buying a house. Her advice? “Set a budget, shop second-hand and sell what no longer serves you.”

Perth-based stylist, Juvelle.

Alex, who owns a vintage designer boutique on the Central Coast, takes a different route: “There’s no balance!” she laughs. But thrift shopping certainly helps keep the spending somewhat under control. “I love finding designer vintage pieces and bringing them back to life for a lot less than new,” she says.

Others agree that thrifting is where the magic (and savings) happens. Brand manager Fleur swears by preloved and handmade pieces, while Merrin, a florist, follows her heart: “If you can’t stop thinking about it, it’s probably worth it.”

Merrin, a florist from the Central Coast in NSW.

Ethan, a fashion media manager, resells items to fund bigger purchases, like his beloved Bottega boots, but always asks, “Will I wear it forever?” when spending a hefty amount on fashion. Aside from this, he swears by simple capsule wardrobes that reflect your personal style, rather than hyped-up trends.

Ethan, a fashion media manager from Sydney.

Ultimately, many Australian Fashion Week attendees feel that budgeting well is a matter of thinking your purchases through. Project manager Harry stresses the need to control impulses by asking yourself, “Is this really good for my pocket?” And Sydney-based stylist Skye takes a similar approach, “If it’s something that I’ve wanted for a while then I’ll save up to buy it. But I don’t buy everything as soon as it comes out,” she says.

Skye, a fashion stylist from Sydney.

Whether they’re investing in a Dior saddle bag, raiding op shops or sharing wardrobes with mates, this stylish crowd proves one thing: fashion doesn’t have to cost a fortune; it just requires a little creativity and careful thought.

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