How students stay fashionable on a budget

Students have found alternative ways to meet their fashion needs and fashion go-to’s.

Students have resorted to thrifting and online shopping to find fashion on a student budget. threestreamsmedia took to the streets of the North-West University (NWU) Potchefstroom campus and asked a few students how they make their fashion budgets stretch and where their go-to fashion places were. 

Misha Kruger (22), a final-year BSc in dietetics student, said “I love shopping at Mr Price because you always get these clothes that no-one sees and because they have all these sections”. She also mentioned that a lot of her clothes come from the website SHEIN because it is cheap and has good quality. “It fits and it’s not something everyone has,” she said.

According to the SHEIN website, “SHEIN is an international B2C (business to consumer) fast fashion e-commerce company”. The clothing company focuses mainly on women’s wear, however, it also caters  for men and children, while also including accessories, shoes, bags and other fashion items. 

While some are more than happy with shopping online, some students are still very sceptical when it comes to online shopping. Anchen Bisschoff (22) a post-graduate corporate communications student said, “I am scared of ordering anything on SHEIN or any online clothing store because what if I pay a reasonable price but receive an ugly dress”.  

Selina Maifadi (22) a fourth-year fashion retail management with fashion communication student, said, “when I think of ‘fashion on a budget’ I think of items that I can wear throughout the year, no matter the weather because these clothes have a low replacement rate, then you don’t need to replace clothing items all the time”, said

When asked where she shops, Maifadi said, “As a student my money is directed elsewhere, so clothes are not a priority right now. However, if it were, I would most likely shop in my mothers’ closet. But if I could buy my clothes I would buy my clothes at H&M because it’s affordable and it’s an international brand”.