Whenever really stylish people are interviewed about how they dress, it’s always a jumble of high/low. I think of Paloma Elsesser’s Vogue What I Wear in a Week video, talking about her extensive collection of Chanel ballet flats and Carhartt carpenter pants in the same breath. Or Sienna Miller’s well-worn vintage denim, always elevated by a pair of battered Gucci loafers or Vivienne Westwood pirate boots.
I think of my favourite glossy fashion shoot images; full of new or unreleased designer garb, but with a small note at the bottom of the page that reads, ‘Tights, stylist’s own’.
Money can buy you nice things, but you can’t put a price on a good eye for style. Well, unless you hire the right person (see: Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Margot Robbie, JLaw, et al). Those in the business of dressing people know what to spend the big bucks on – not just sensible cashmere or designer bags, but unique pieces that make a statement.
Stylists also know where to find a bargain. They can sniff out cheap items that either read expensive, or add scrappy personality to an outfit. In her youth, the It Girl Chloe Sevigny once said, “I never miss a tag sale or walk past a thrift shop without going in. You can get good cheap stuff that no one else will have.”
In my version of 2 Chainz’s Most Expensivist, I asked some exceptional local stylists to share the priciest items in their wardrobe, as well as their most affordable treasures. Take notes!
Crystal Lim @crutsal
My most expensive item is probably one of the many shoes in my collection. I suspect it to be my Margiela candy stripe Tabi boots. I loved them very much years prior, however I don't feel as inclined towards them lately. No regrets! I very rarely regret shoe purchases as I always return to them later on.
The least expensive is my favourite sweater ever for $1. Bought from a garage sale of a costume shop. I have an undoubtedly theatrical sensibility towards fashion. The extravagance of my aesthetic certainly fluctuates, and I find that this sweater has been applicable at my maximal and my minimal. The fact that the garment lived a past life as a costume makes it all the more special to me.
Chloe Hill @chloechill
My most expensive would be my Chanel quilted bag which I saved and saved for and bought on my first trip to Paris. It's quadrupled in price since then so I never regretted that purchase!
My least expensive (yet most treasured) would be gifts from friends and family like this jacket my Mum made out of my childhood quilt.
Dan Ahwa @danahwa
The most expensive item is possibly a quilted black coat I bought in New York from New Zealand model Georgia Pratt Holiber's brand Hilda Ereaut. It was Thanksgiving, it was freezing cold and I liked the way the coat felt as if I was being enveloped by a duvet. It has really big deep pockets which is handy for my phone, my wallet, a couple of snacks.
Georgia sourced the unique heavyweight silk/hemp charmeuse and cotton fabric from one of the fabric merchants close to her Brooklyn studio, who specialise in textiles for members of the Orthodox Jewish community. There's always such incredible fabrics in those stores. It's one of the more special pieces in my closet that I will cherish for a long time. I also like that not many people will have one – she does very small considered runs which I love.
The inexpensive item I have is one that I will regularly buy: a white Jockey singlet. I like to buy a pack of two or three, around $20-$30 from Farmers. They offer an easy layer underneath shirts and I live in this over summer. Often you'll need a white T-shirt underneath something, but I can't deal with the bulk of sleeves, so a singlet is a perfect solution.
Claire Whyburd @letzbclaire
Most expensive is a pair of Eytys 'Fugu' sneakers - they were on sale on SSENSE, so I took it as a sign. I do love them, they are comfy and weird at the same time.
Least expensive is maybe a cheeky item on the $5 rack at an op shop. I recently copped a hot lil pair of low rise capris for a fiver, they make the booty look good so that's always a win.
Tori Ambler @toriamblerstylist
I still have, love and wear my first expensive item. In 2006 I bought a classic beige wool trench by Phillip Lim for $599. It was SO much money for my 21-year-old self, I thought about it for months before buying it. My recent most expensive purchase is my beautiful Olivia Cashmore ‘Agnes’ dress, which was $759. I adore the timeless bias cut, the delicate textured fabric and incredible neckline.
I LOVE a bargain. Trade Me and op shops are my jam. I bought my husband a brand new pair of Salvatore Ferragamo dress shoes, that were still online for US$1100, for $12 at the SPCA op shop in Birkenhead. My all time favourite 90s chocolate leather Prada bag was $150 on Trade Me. And so many others. Patience and persistence are key.
Estelle Schuler @estelle.schuler
I am such a bargain hunter and spend hours scouring the internet to find the best priced version of something. If we’re talking street value, the most expensive thing I own is this Coach purse – it was kindly gifted to me. The most expensive item I purchased off the bat was probably a pair of Shop Dirt shoes for $595. An elevated essential.
I own a lot of ‘cheap’ things because of my bargain hunting abilities, so this is hard to narrow down. But the cheapest thing I own that I wear the most would definitely be the socks from Family Mart in Japan. I’ve never worn a more comfortable sock in my life. They’re perfect. I’ve got a few pairs and the one pictured is the fried chicken colour way (which is also another must try when in Japan).
Courtney Joe @courtneyjoe_
I love a great bag as much as any fashion girly – but when it comes to luxury goods, I’m usually one to opt for a consignment store or vintage find. This Bally bag however was (at the time) a ridiculous impulse purchase while in transit at Sydney airport. A delayed flight meant both time to kill but no time to sleep on the decision. I did feel a little sick on the plane post-purchase, but five years later I still have no regrets (even after finding the original $2085 AUD price tag!). The statement strap is always a welcome pop of colour into my (mostly) monochromatic wardrobe.
Black sheer socks from my local Countdown are my bargain buy, $7 for a pack of four. Boring but essential. I love that these come both anklet and knee-high. I always keep a pack or two in my styling kit.
Helen Young-Loveridge @helenyounglove
Most expensive is my vintage Freelance knee-high lace-up boots from Malin Landeus in Brooklyn – I found these babies on a trip to NYC many years ago. I gave it about three minutes of consideration before swiping my card. I have never had even one second of regret, even when the charge came through in NZ dollars on my bank statement. They are the perfect level of bitchy and witchy, and I have never had a bad night out in them. Shoes maketh all fits, and will give your entire wardrobe a new lease on life.
Honestly so much of my wardrobe is made up of pieces I found for under $5 in op shops, and some of my most complimented pieces. Bonus points if it's a home-sewing job, my favourite. This skirt was $2, a dull beige, and had stains all over, so I dyed it green! Satisfying.
Tom So @sothatstom
My most expensive would be two items: my Kiko Kostadinov jacket or my Vintage Yohji Yamamoto leather coat. Both were a little over 2K.
My cheapest items would be Kmart child tees, the biggest size I can find that fit like a baby tee lol, or sandals from your Westside Chinese all-purpose store. These are my favourite stores to shop. I find the most quirky things.
