Let’s face it: street shopping is totally awesome, but it can also be quite intimidating. From crowded markets to sizing issues and product defects, getting that perfect street style isn’t always easy. But that’s no reason to miss out on looking your absolute street best. In this new series, BandraRoad brings you foolproof advice to transform you from a nervous novice into street shopping ninja! Are you ready to get your street on?
In this first installment of our Master The Art Of Street Shopping series, we’re helping you overcome the first two issues every street shopper must overcome: stains and sizing.
Trick 1: Dealing With Sneaky Stains.
Yeah, you know all about it – how many times have you found that perfect piece, only to find an ugly stain that ruins everything? Check out this beautiful maxi dress we picked up the other day at a local flea market. We just loved the bombardment of color, but the whole thing felt a little flat. Plus, there were some small stains around the shoulders that weren’t about to come out. Our solution? We turned it into a fun DIY project. All you need is some coloured thread and buttons. And oh yes, a crazy imagination helps too! Not only were the stains disguised, but the buttons also turned this flat maxi into a totally a cute daytime look.
Trick 2: Breathing New Life Into Old Style.
Sometimes while street shopping, you pick up a dress simply because the print looks cool. Street stalls rarely have a changing area, and even if they did, you probably don’t want to take that chance. So you take a leap of faith. I found this cute polka dress but as it turned out, it was too loose to fit any of my friends. It also had old-world shoulder pads that weren’t very flattering. The solution? I got rid of the pads and cinched the dress with a broad belt. With the addition of a cool neck piece and a pair of easy brogues, Gigi and I turned grandma’s boring, unflattering dress into a street-chic look with vintage charm!
Trick 3: Reworking That Awkward Fit.
Remember that floppy, baggy dress you have tucked away in the back of your closet? The one that looked so promising on the street mannequin but just didn’t work out when you brought it home? Well here’s how you bring it back to life. Grab a few safety pins and work some folds into the dress to create structure and a cool shape. I did it with this frumpy poppy green dress to give it a much sexier Japanese kimono-like vibe. Throw on some shades and some strappy shoes and there’s no looking back!
So there you go. Don’t let the fear of ill-fits or stains stop you from venturing out on the streets and discovering your personal style. All it takes is a little creativity… and a lil help from your friends at BandraRoad 🙂
On BandraRoad, we believe that you are all it takes to make a look work. Stay tuned for more tricks for rad styles and ridiculously simple DIYs. Join the gang by following us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Or simply look for #BandraRoad.
Psst… Wanna contribute? Send us your pictures and story ideas to bandraroad (at) gmail (dot) com. We’re always interested in learning about your Street Life!