HYPEYou may not have a budget of Hollywood stars, but Michelle Ng shows you how cheaper alternatives to highly coveted fashion items can still help you stay trendy without hurting your pocket.
Angel Wing Ring
Lust: CC Skye Gold Crystal Angel Wing Ring – $295
Every girl needs jewelry that makes a statement. With a contrast colour stone detail set in gold, this highly coveted statement angel wing design ring by CC Skye, made famous by Nicole Richie, is bound to dress up any outfit and make you stand out among the crowd.
Must: Miss Selfridge Angel Wing Knuckle Duster Ring – $17
This similarly designed ring available in silver retails for only a fraction of the price without the pretty crystals. Yet it still gives you a splash of style and is a good adaption, design-wise.
Tan Satchel Bag
Lust: Proenza Schouler PS1 Large leather satchel – $2,615
The roomy schoolbook bag highly favoured by Mary-Kate Olsen, Jessica Alba and Leighton Meester, is designed so you can lug all your essentials around. Beware though, you won’t be able to keep your hands off the luxurious buttery-leather texture of the satchel.
Must: Topshop Large Leather Pushlock Satchel – $185
Ignore the fact that the pushlock and texture are different from the Proenza Schouler satchel, and this equally roomy Topshop satchel can almost pass off as an identical twin, as well as exude the same preppy-cool look as its more expensive counterpart.
Black Suede Wedges
Lust: Jeffrey Campbell Ninetynine Black Suede – $140
Black shoes, with their classic simplicity, are heaven-sent. Put it on a wedge and we’re totally sold, as proven by Ashley Tisdale. This pair from Jeffrey Campbell comes with a black zip and its 4-inch wedge heel is balanced with a 1-inch platform in front.
Must: Forever 21 Suedette Wedge Dress Shoes – $34
Also made in suede, this pair from Forever 21 has a tie-up front instead. With a slightly higher wedge heel of 4.5’’, the comfort level of the shoes might be questionable though.
Canvas Boat Shoes
Lust: Sperry Top-Sider ‘Authentic Original’ Canvas Boat Shoe – $90
With boat shoes now the norm for city slickers, even for extra sleek Ed Westwick, this shoe owes its laidback vibe to the hand-sewn moccasin and traditional detail like its leather laces.
Must: Vans ‘Zapato del Barco’ Sneaker – $55
Essentially a sneaker, it has been updated in a boat shoe style, although the laces and material are of cotton.