Your Ultimate Guide to Affordable Style in Switzerland
Check out my top tips for an affordable approach to style in Switzerland!
Whether you’re new to Switzerland, or have been here for a while, you’ll have noticed that the cost of living here is extremely high. Unless you’re lucky enough to have a significant amount of disposable income, you’ll need to learn how to shop smartly to stay on trend and relevant with your personal style.
As a Personal Stylist based in Geneva, Switzerland, I help my clients to identify the best retailers to suit their own personal style, colouring, body shape, lifestyle and budget.
Let's delve into making the most of your budget for your personal style.
Great style starts with your own CREATIVITY
I always encourage my Personal Styling clients to cultivate their CREATIVITY when it comes to great personal style. You know yourself better than anyone, so perhaps all you need to move into something incredible is a little touch of creativity to build your best personal style.
Set yourself a challenge to consider different ways of wearing all of the items in your wardrobe.
If you can’t think of 3 different ways to wear each item in your wardrobe, then you definitely need to work on developing your creative side. Check out Pinterest, magazines, newspapers, Instagram and other online or offline resources (nature, fashion / design / architecture books) to find inspiration and then recreate outfits from your own wardrobe.
1) Quality over Quantity
Avoid fast fashion wherever possible. Even if it seems like an affordable solution in the short term, it rarely is in reality. You’ll find that low-quality garments never last more than a handful of washes before they lose their shape and colour. This pushes you to continue to repeatedly purchase new items, which isn’t friendly for your bank account (or the environment). High quality, timeless items will last longer as they will keep their shape and colour longer so you won’t need to replace them as often.
So where do you go to for affordable and quality garments in Switzerland?
Clother_ch
Eco-friendly fashion is a great starting point. You need to focus on high quality sustainable pieces. Whilst they may initially cost you more than garments from a fast fashion retailer, the cost-per-wear due to the longevity of the items will enable you to buy less new clothes in the future.
2) Special Offers & Discounts
Sign-up for online Newsletters or magazines: if there’s a particular brand that you like, I always recommend that my clients sign up for their newsletters or magazines. You will often find a welcome discount of 10% or more as well as regular special discounts for returning customers in some instances.
3) Outlet Shopping
Outlet Shopping: it’s not always necessary to go across the border to a European country for an outlet shopping experience. The Outlet in Aubonne has a great selection of well-known brands at more affordable prices, for those in Suisse Romande.
4) Rentals & Pre-loved Garments
Special Occasion Rentals: if you’re looking for a special occasion outfit, you can consider renting. Geneva based Gowns Gone Bad specialises in beautiful dresses to hire for special occasions.
Pre-loved Luxury retailers such as Closet have a great selection of designer items.
5) European Brands
If shopping online, consider ordering from a European brand that delivers either to Switzerland or ones where you can also collect from a neighbouring European country – depending on your location in Switzerland (NB. Subject to customs duties and postage). Sometimes payment in Euros can be advantageous, depending on the exchange rate at the time of purchase.
6) Accessories
You don’t have to revamp your whole wardrobe to remain on-trend. Sometimes a simple change to your accessories will make all the difference. A silk scarf, a pashmina, some jewellery, your choice of handbag or shoes, or even your belt can completely change the style of an outfit.
7) Recycling
If you’re fed up of a particular item in your wardrobe, consider working with a local tailor (or fashion design student) who may be able to help you reinvent the item into something that works better for you now.
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If you'd like to find out more about my personal style consultations, please sign up here for a free 30 minute discovery call.
Best wishes,
Charlotte
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Hi, I'm Charlotte, International Personal Stylist in Geneva, Switzerland. I help women feel special everyday by building a unique and colourful signature style that suits your personal colouring, body shape, lifestyle and budget.
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