How Far Will $50 Take you?

Budget Constraints?

As fashion today revolves around ever changing trends that occur too often – it’s quite hard to keep your wardrobe filled with good essential, and trendy pieces. In this article you’ll learn how to start building or updating your wardrobe without breaking the bank.

Source: Allen Craig M. Taguinod, Maria Micaela Boncacas Vergara, Precious Winlove Luyao Lumagbas

As the title suggests it is indeed within the budget of $50. Not necessarily only one outfit but as much as we can buy with the said budget. (Example: If we can build an outfit for $30 and we still have $20 left then we can buy additional pieces, accessories, etc.)

In most cases $50 may seem quite low for an outfit budget depending on where you’re looking. And for this outfit challenge the standard store type will be fast fashion outlets (H&M, UNIQLO, COTTON ON, ETC.) as it’s a good middle point between luxury and affordable fashion without compromising the quality. [For example. A pair of light washed Cotton On jeans costs roughly $50 already.] Therefore we will take advantage of the currently ongoing Great Singapore Sale as most of these fast fashion outlets are having a lot of items on sale this season.

LOOKBOOK

We had 3 members participate in this outfit challenge: Allen, Precious, and Maria. So in turn, what these 3 members buy with their $50 budgets will be showcased.

[TOPS & BOTTOMS ONLY. SHOES ARE NOT INCLUDED]

ALLEN

Within his $50 budget, Allen managed to build 2 outfits. All pieces were bought from Cotton On.

Outfit #1

The first outfit consists of a floral button up shirt which cost only $5, and black swim shorts for $10.

Source: Allen Craig M. Taguinod, Maria Micaela Boncacas Vergara, Precious Winlove Luyao Lumagbas

The first outfit is more of a laidback - summer vibes - lazy outfit that you can just throw on if you’re heading out to a music festival, a house party or anything along those lines as it’s a breezy outfit that you can stay under the sun in, and wouldn’t mind getting messy in. You can even get thrown into a pool wearing the outfit and still look fly after you get wet. It actually would dry fast because of the materials of the clothing pieces. The button up shirt is a thin airy cotton, and the swim shorts consist of polyester type material that naturally dries up quickly.

Outfit #2

The second outfit consists of a plain inner shirt costing $10, an olive long sleeve button up shirt for $10, and a pair of light washed distressed jeans for $15. Total cost of the second outfit sums up to $35.

Source: Allen Craig M. Taguinod, Maria Micaela Boncacas Vergara, Precious Winlove Luyao Lumagbas

The second outfit however can be described as a subtle semi smart casual look for when you plan to go to a dinner or perhaps even a date. With an olive long sleeve button up - a versatile piece that you can dress up, or in this case dress down for a more casual look. And it was paired with some casual distressed denim - a trendy piece among streetwear enthusiasts.

MARIA

On the other hand, Maria managed to build 3 outfits.

Outfit #1

The striped wide legged pants is from Bossini which costs $23. The orange short bell sleeved top is from Cotton On which costs for $5. In total, the first outfit costs $28

Source: Allen Craig M. Taguinod, Maria Micaela Boncacas Vergara, Precious Winlove Luyao Lumagbas

Maria’s first outfit is a semi smart casual outfit that has a bit of pop in terms of color. With a pinkish orange tinge on the top and some striped trousers this outfit manages to look smart and yet still be comfortable for all day wear.

Outfit #2

Source: Allen Craig M. Taguinod, Maria Micaela Boncacas Vergara, Precious Winlove Luyao Lumagbas

The second outfit consists of the same orange short bell sleeved top mentioned earlier, and it is then paired with dark raw denim from H&M for $7. The total cost for this outfit is about $12. But for a more casual, dressed down look, the trousers can also be changed to a pair of jeans. The second outfit uses the same top but adds a bit of contrast with the dark jeans, and white sneakers.

Outfit #3

Lastly, the most casual outfit is the third one, with a striped top with a shoulder slit and the same dark denim we saw from the second outfit. This outfit is good for the summer as it has good color blocking from the striped top, dark denim, and white shoes. The dark denim is still viable for hotter weather conditions as the denim is quite thin therefore it retains the subtlety of the outfit. The last outfit consists of the same raw denim from H&M, and it is paired with a striped cut out shoulder top from Bossini for $15. All in all, the last outfit costs $22.

PRECIOUS

Just like Maria, Precious was able to build 3 outfits as well.

Outfit #1

Source: Allen Craig M. Taguinod, Maria Micaela Boncacas Vergara, Precious Winlove Luyao Lumagbas

Going for the stylish and comfy style good for the dancers out there or just for a simple day out with friends, there goes the first outfit which consists of a tight black tee shirt and grey sweatshorts both costing $7 and from H&M along with an Ashley Stewart denim jacket which costs $10 from a store in Lucky Plaza . Lucky, isn’t she? The first outfit only costs $24 in total.

Outfit #2

Source: Allen Craig M. Taguinod, Maria Micaela Boncacas Vergara, Precious Winlove Luyao Lumagbas

​Next is more simple and classy good for a school outfit is consisting of the same black tee which again costs $7 and black trousers which costs $10. Both items are from H&M. While this can already be the outfit itself, Precious decided to add a little bit of color to it by wearing the same Ashley Stewart denim jacket from a store in Lucky Plaza which costs $10. Although it seems very similar to the first outfit as the only thing changed was the bottoms, it really does make a difference to the appearance - from the “lazy” look to the classy look.

Outfit #3

Source: Allen Craig M. Taguinod, Maria Micaela Boncacas Vergara, Precious Winlove Luyao Lumagbas

With the last outfit, Precious looks like she is ready to rock the dance floor! Consisting with only a moss green hoodie which costs $15 and the same black trousers which again costs $10. Just like the first outfit, it is comfortable, stylish, and good for dancers. Precious only spent $49 yet was able to build 3 outfits! Not only that, she also was able to get a lip balm from Cotton On for $1. So all in all, she spent $50 for everything.