How to Be Hipster on the Cheap
It’s probably the most (fashionable) irony of all ironies: what started out as an anti-establishment lifestyle movement has become so popular that it’s now become mainstream.
It didn’t help when that #Mipsterz video exploded all over the Internet in December last year, either. Everybody was talking about the painfully cool, skateboarding, hijab-wearing girls. More importantly, everyone was wondering how to score their threads.
Here, we have tips for looking the part without breaking the bank.
Go pre-loved.
When it comes to ironic dressing, the only rule is to break the rules. The hipster palette is often a mishmash of mismatches: vintage, punk, and messy. Almost anything will do, as long as it’s not something you can easily find and makes some sort of statement.
You’ll find vintage gems at secondhand thrift stores whether in Petaling Jaya, Bangsar, Shah Alam or even online. Because the items are pre-owned, they’re most likely one-of-a-kind and definitely cheaper than brand-new clothes.
Want to spend even less money? Raid your grandparents’ closets! You can’t get any more authentic vintage than that. Plus, you’ll probably have a cool story to go with each piece.
Accessorise on the cheap.
Typical hipster accessories include oversized glasses with thick rims, shutter glasses, chunky rings and necklaces, and beanies. For girl mipsters, that usually includes a hijab.
Scout sidewalk shops for inexpensive items. Again, Bangsar’s Jalan Telawi is a good place to start, simply for the sheer number of stores you can choose from.
Support local street wear brands like Pestle & Mortar or Super Sunday, or for the girls, dig everything it-girl Yuna is selling on her November Culture fashion line.
Use rewards.
Some clothing brands are hipster favourites and can be worth your money especially if they’re high quality. Skinny jeans, sneakers, boots, and jackets that could fit well with the ironic look are worth investing in because you can also use them with other styles if you ever change your mind.
Choose carefully—you’ll want these to last for a long time. It also goes well with the hipster philosophy of avoiding mindless consumerism and focusing, instead, on quality and meaning.
Some credit cards offer clothes-shopping rewards you can use to ease the burden on your pocket. If you don’t have a credit card yet and are planning to get one, make sure to choose carefully because you’ll want something that fits your needs and lifestyle. Check out our free comparison tool at CompareHero to get insider tips on deals.
Remember, the hipster lifestyle is all about quality over quantity. It’s not the amount of money you spend; it’s about what you spend it on and what quality it brings to your life.
CompareHero is the leading Malaysian financial comparison platform, aimed at helping Malaysians save time and money. Visit CompareHero here.
