Decadence at half the price
Save a bob or two and still look like a million bucks
By Kashmir Brummel and Kat Hartmann
Save on legwork and money by shopping online
Considering Sydney’s swift ascension up the Mercer Cost of Living index in recent years to become the 21st most expensive city in the world to live (the sole representative from Australasia in the top 50) there is clearly no shortage of ways to blow the budget in this fair city of ours. If you want to look the part without the price tag to match, here’s our guide to online cut-price couture.
Purest Cut
Purest Cut is a true boutique among online stores. Dedicated to showcasing the cutting edge of Australian street wear, they have created a space that lets the clothes speak for themselves. Like all good boutique stores, the selection here is well thought out, with men’s and women’s clothing from Life With Bird, Material Boy and Schwipe. Each label featured has their own pages and a profile, helping to highlight all that Australian independent designers have to offer. www.purestcut.com.au
Frock You
Providing shoppers with clothing at the more affordable end of the scale, Frock You stocks items from brands like Chip Chop!, Dolly Rockers and One Teaspoon. But despite the name, there’s plenty more than just frocks here, with bags, swimwear, jewellery and shoes added to the mix. They also have a great range of basics at very basic prices. They also have an Ebay page to add the excitement of an auction to the experience. www.frockyou.com.au
Ku-Ture
We love this site. If you want to look a million dollars and you’re after something really special, Ku-ture is the store for you. Every item sold here is guaranteed to be a one-off, totally unique piece. So there’s no danger of the ultimate fashion faux-pas: rocking up on the red carpet only to find someone else wearing the same dress. And it’s not just dresses you’ll find here, but a huge range of knits, skirts, shoes and accessories from designers such as Like Rabbits, Sassifras and TuTu. There’s also something for blokes, with some quirky designer tees and shirts. ku-ture.com
Sydney’s Vintage Clothing
It’s what fashion erudites have been dreaming of for years: a site that brings Vinnies, and snippets of what Dior’s private wardrobe may or may not have looked like 60 years ago – together at last. And, at the risk of sounding like a Persian carpet advert, for a fraction of the prices charged in shops. The added bonus of SVC’s site is that they also have a mailout that will inform you of private sales around the city when they occur. www.thevintageclothingshop.com