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Recreating a Derek Lam Spring 2010 runway look on a budget.
This charismatic ensemble from Derek Lam delights with signature clean lines and understated glamour. The elegant stretch wool wrap dress is complemented with a skinny leather belt, star-print crêpe de Chine scarf and gladiator strappy heels. The estimated value of the outfit is around USD$2,800.
We each visited local consignment stores to see if we could re-create the designer look in an eco-friendly—not to mention economical—way using pre-loved items.
Click on the individual images below to see details on our outfits and store information.
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I decided to try my luck at the Value Village on Edmonds Street in Burnaby. I usually find some great pieces there as it’s not very busy and the store is fairly massive. I’m not gonna lie—I do visit “VV” at least once a month looking for pieces to add to my closet and even funky home furnishings, so I was more than happy to accept this challenge!
When I go to consignment and secondhand stores, I go without a goal in mind. This takes the pressure off of trying to find that certain piece which tends to make shopping more stressful rather than fun.
For this particular challenge, I just walked in to see what would inspire me. Right when I entered, there was this barely worn white fitted tunic staring right at me, so I immediately looked for pieces to match the Derek Lam outfit.
The dress: White fitted cotton tunic with collar, $7.49
The belt: Brown leather belt with gold buckle, $3.99
The scarf: Viscose scarf with paisley design, $2.99
The shoes: My own shoes. I have issues with wearing used shoes unless they’re boots (because you can wear socks in them). But my red TopSider-inspired flats give it a bit more of a nautical look, which I think is pretty cute as well!
Marjolyn “MJ” Ustaris is best known for mjfromaroundtheway.com, her personal blog dedicated to art, fashion and local events. She has been labelled “MJ of all Trades,” being the creative mind behind many local art and fashion events, bringing visions to life with wardrobe styling and a unique written voice. Twitter
Perhaps because the look is so classic, I started thinking vintage and made a beeline toward Commercial Drive. I did take some liberty with the colour combination, but I love my new (-again) dress!
The dress: Vintage stewardess-style dress; Pink Elephant (1748 Commercial), $28. A small but well-stocked store with a notable selection of accessories and handbags, Pink Elephant is not just big on style: 10 percent of each sale is donated to local charities, and the customer gets to choose which worthy cause he or she would like to benefit. How cool is that?!
The belt: Gold-silver-and-bronze braided belt; Little Miss Vintage (941 Commercial), $10
The scarf: The multi-coloured polka dot scarf is from the best treasure trove in town—Chez Mom! I had a blast raiding my mom’s closet a few weeks ago (you’re never too old to play dress-up!). A former shopaholic, she has accumulated quite the wardrobe. Nowadays, though, she has no use for much of it and no longer cares for shopping. “I’ve never felt better!” she exclaims. Since I’m nowhere near that stage of enlightenment, I gladly laid claim to a score of goodies.
The shoes: The shoes are my own. I don’t have a particular issue with secondhand shoes as long as they have been properly cleaned, but I just didn’t find anything that both worked and fit.
Davinia Yip curates the CitizenSTYLE blog, covering local designers and fashion events and offering tips for expanding your wardrobe on a shrinking budget. Something of a style nomad, she’s eager to experiment—especially with accessories—and finds inspiration in the Vancouver fashion and ecofashion scenes.
