It’s 2012 and the economy is hardly recuperating from the current recession and unemployment has been up and down. Dreams of having one primary job have been replaced by a part-time job or two full-time positions. As the financial climate changes so does the fashion climate. After all, if we barely have money to pay rent, there’s no way anyone is dropping $900 on a pair of Louis Vuitton sneakers.
So I’m here to introduce a trend that’s been around for a while – the Trend of Highs and Lows. The Trend of Highs and Lows is an ensemble consisting of high-end designers mixed with low-end designers. The objective is not to look rich or avoid looking like you can’t afford good clothes, but to focus on maintaining an amazing look that appears expensive without breaking the bank. Regular Joes are not the only ones rocking this High and Low Trend – celebrities like Jay-Z, Beyonce, Michelle Obama and Emily B. are just a few big names that work the high-end and low-end designers into their style.
The Highs of your outfit should be classic pieces that may be expensive but they last long and are staples in your closet. This way your hefty purchases are justified due to the years they equate to. For example, dropping $650 on a classic Louis Vuitton Doctor Bag makes perfect sense if you can rock that bag for about five years, as oppose to a more trendier bag from a lower end designer that will cost half the price and last a year or so in your wardrobe. A few examples of staples pieces that men should have in their closet include a black suit, gold watch, leather jacket and a diamond bracelet. Ladies should invest in the following classic items – designer handbag, stainless steel watch, diamond studs, a pair of designer shoes and a trench coat.
The Lows are the trendy pieces that may be in style today and gone tomorrow. There’s no real need to spend hundreds of dollars on any item that will be out of season in a few months. The following items are staples that should only cost you between $50 and $100. For both sexes, a generous collection of graphic tees and jeans within this budget will give you enough to mix and match with; and women, adding in a few pairs of leggings will add depth to your closet.
Those high-end designer pieces are certainly easy to find – just follow the label. When it comes to finding the perfect low-end items to complete your look, I suggest hitting up the following stores: Top Shop, Zara, Uniqlo, H&M, Urban Outfitters, Forever 21 and DSW for shoes. Remember to invest in those high-end classics and stay within budget when shopping for lower end items and you’ll always look fly.
