How to dress to impress for less

Ever wondered where the stylish people get their goods from and how they remain stylish when the rest of us end up with wine stains and frizzy hair? Two top stylists give their advice on how you can achieve that natural style...good luck!

Tips for the girls

From Spencer Madan-Meyers, evening wear style adviser at House of Fraser

What advice would you give to a student shopping for an evening gown?

Buy something that is good quality, wellmade and timeless. Make it an investment so that you can wear your outfit again at future events and always have “cost per wear” in mind. You can never go wrong with a little black dress: it’s the safest option, budgetwise and style-wise. But there is lots of choice out there, so embrace a colour that suits you and wear it loud and proud!

What’s the best way to achieve a celebrity red-carpet look?

Celebrities usually wear designer pieces or products they are endorsing on the red carpet, but there are some amazing, affordable options on the high street. My main piece of advice is to pay attention to the detail: accessorising and spending time on your hair and make-up is the key to making you look red carpet-worthy and chic.

What’s the best way to avoid getting carried away with evening wear?

If it’s a dress with a bright print or heavy embellishment, don’t go too OTT with accessories. However, if you are wearing a black dress you can afford to experiment with accessories and hairpieces. Hair should be groomed and when it comes to make-up, go big with the eyes or lips – never both.

Is it possible to get the glam ball gown look without spending a lot of money?

Yes. Vintage and second-hand shopping is one way to ensure you have a one-off piece on a budget. Charity shops are also an option. But choosing your location is key: select the most affluent areas near you, as they will be more likely to have the best cast-offs!

Any more style tips for partygoers?

Don’t get too drunk! This is the biggest fashion faux pas at a party. Make sure what you are wearing is comfortable and doesn’t require too much adjusting throughout the night. You want to be seen as stylish and natural, not drunk and disorderly!

Tips for the boys

From Alan Crawford, salesman at Davies & Son, Savile Row

What advice do you have for a student who is looking to buy a suit?

You’ll need to decide whether you want a bespoke or ready-to-wear suit. It’s not very common for students to come and buy from us at Savile Row, as you are looking at over £3,200 for a bespoke suit. Ready-to-wear is more affordable, but the fit won’t be as good.

What is the difference between bespoke and ready to wear?

A bespoke suit is tailored to the client’s exact measurements, based on two fitting sessions with a tailor. The process takes between six and eight weeks. With ready-to-wear you simply go into the store where a shop assistant will help you pick out a suit and size from what they have in store.

Where can students go if they want to hire a suit?

Most tailors offer suits for hire. Here, it costs £80, plus extra if you want the shirt, tie, and shoes, in which case you’re looking at around £100. Another option is to look for a secondhand suit, which can sometimes be found at charity shops.

Any practical tips for getting the size and cut right?

Make sure you go to a tailors properly dressed: a proper pair of shoes and a good shirt. Don’t turn up with trainers and a T-shirt on because it will be more difficult to get the measurements right.

The most important questions of all: how do you tie a dickie bow?

The tailor or shop assistant will be able to show a customer how this is done; we have printed instructions in-store for people on how to tie one, which they can take home with them to practice.

Interesting? Click here to explore further