Fashion

Fashion on a budget, can it be done?

To be or not to be, can we really create a nice outfit on a budget?

BY SHAHN DURRANI

As the title suggests, can this challenge really be done properly? I think there’s a huge misconception when it comes to showcasing fashion on a budget. Most people fall back on the old saying, “buy cheap, buy twice”, and while that can absolutely be true, it only applies if you don’t know where to look.

In my experience, especially when I was first getting into fashion, the smartest place to start wasn’t a designer boutique, it was the charity shop. And before you roll your eyes, bear in mind that what you’re buying is pre-owned clothing, often from brands that retail for hundreds, sometimes thousands. I’ve come across pieces from YSL, Charles Tyrwhitt, Armani and more, all in excellent condition.

If you know how to hunt properly, fashion on a budget isn’t just possible, it’s powerful.

So let’s get into it.

Giordano 

I found this Giordano blazer in my local Oxfam, and it genuinely felt like a small victory. It had been tailored for someone else, and by some miracle, that someone had almost identical measurements to mine. The fit was spot on.

Out of curiosity, I looked it up online. The same blazer retailed at around €240. I paid £12.

That’s not just a bargain. That’s the kind of find that reminds you why charity shops are worth the effort. When you’re patient and you know what to look for, the rewards can be ridiculous.

After doing a bit of research on the brand, I was surprised to learn that Giordano isn’t Italian at all. It was founded in Hong Kong. At first that caught me off guard, but the more I thought about it, the less surprising it became. Hong Kong tailoring has long been respected, and in my opinion, it stands toe to toe with, and sometimes surpasses, some of the British tailoring houses out there.

Some brands shout for attention. Giordano prefers a knowing smile and a well-cut jacket.

Founded in Hong Kong in 1981, the brand took its name from a small Italian restaurant the founder happened to visit. There was no grand marketing strategy, no branding agency crafting a European identity, just a gut instinct that the name Giordano carried a certain sophistication. It sounded refined, continental, confident.

He was right.

More than four decades later, Giordano is still quietly winning wardrobes around the world. The label’s motto, Tailored for Style & Comfort, isn’t just a neat tagline, it genuinely feels like the foundation of everything they produce.

These are clothes that fit well without trying too hard. You won’t find them chasing fast-fashion trends or shouting through oversized logos. Giordano feels like that one friend who turns up to dinner perfectly dressed, yet insists he just threw something on.

It’s easy to mistake understatement for simplicity, but Giordano’s version of simplicity is deliberate, even strategic. Every shirt, every blazer, every casual piece feels designed to strike that balance between structure and ease. It’s tailoring that allows you to move, breathe, and still look like you know exactly what you’re doing.

From those beginnings in Hong Kong, the brand has grown into a global name, now with more than 1,800 stores across thirty countries. You’ll find it in Milan and Dubai, Tokyo and London, each location carrying the same quiet confidence. The reason is simple: the design language travels well. Clean lines, quality fabrics, and a kind of confidence that doesn’t need to announce itself.

The brand’s internal philosophy, QKISS: Quality, Knowledge, Innovation, Service, and Simplicity, might sound like something lifted from a corporate seminar, but in practice it’s straightforward. Make good clothes. Make them well. Treat people properly. There’s something refreshing about that.

The European line, marked by its Italian tricolour tag and softer tailoring, refines the idea even further. Inside the jackets, floral linings add a subtle flash of personality. It’s craftsmanship beneath restraint. The kind of detail that rewards the man who pays attention. And if you’re partial to a well-poured Negroni or a cigar after dinner, you’ll understand that kind of subtle confidence.

Giordano doesn’t scream luxury. It doesn’t need to. Its elegance comes from knowing that true style isn’t forced, it’s felt. In a fashion world obsessed with noise, it’s the quieter pieces that often carry the most presence.

Because sometimes, the best-dressed man in the room is also the one saying the least.

Blazer

Ah, this blazer is genuinely a beauty.

I didn’t even notice the inner lining until I was setting up the photo shoot. It’s bold, no question about that, but somehow it works. It adds character without overpowering the jacket.

The fabric blend is 69% cotton, 30% viscose and 1% elastane, with a 100% polyester lining. On paper that might not sound dramatic, but the fit is what really sells it. As I mentioned earlier, whoever owned this before must have had almost identical measurements to mine, because it fits like it was made for me.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t completely sold on the lapels at first. But after wearing it properly and seeing it on camera, they grew on me. They’re not too slim, not overly wide either, just balanced. As Goldilocks would say, just right.

The beige tone is another win. It works in the daytime just as well as it does at night. There’s a slight Tony Soprano energy to it, not flashy, just confident. Picture a cool evening, a cigar in hand, checking the time before stepping into somewhere you know you belong.

What you choose to carry in your jacket is entirely up to you, but this one is built for a man who keeps a few essentials close. It has four internal pockets, which is more than I’ve seen in most blazers. Given that it was originally tailored, the previous owner clearly had the freedom to customise it properly. Practical, without sacrificing shape.

Now, the crucial part: how to style it.

For me, this leans more smart casual than formal. I’d wear it on a date, a dinner with friends or family, anywhere you want to look put together without looking like you tried too hard.

I keep it simple. A crisp white shirt underneath lets the beige do the talking. I’ll usually leave a couple of buttons undone, nothing dramatic, just enough to relax the look. And if you’re instinctively reaching for black trousers, pause. Navy works far better here. It adds contrast without overpowering the lighter tones of the blazer.

One thing I personally avoid is trainers with tailoring. For me, it breaks the whole experience. I understand practicality, especially if you’re commuting or breaking in new shoes, but if you’re going to wear a jacket like this, commit to it properly.

That’s why I’d pair it with Chelsea boots. You can’t really go wrong. They’re sharp, versatile, and far more comfortable than people expect, especially compared to traditional Oxfords. Keep the accessories minimal. A clean, understated watch, ideally something with meaning, is more than enough.

This jacket works best in relaxed but refined settings. City lunches. Gallery strolls. A solo coffee that turns into something more interesting. It’s the kind of piece that suggests you know how to dress, even if you’re not making a big deal about it.

And remember, clothes don’t make the man, but they do stop him from being asked if he’s lost when he walks into a good restaurant.

Final thoughts 

This jacket is genuinely impressive. It carries confidence without shouting for attention, and that balance is what makes it stand out.

My favourite aspect has to be the warm, earthy tone. It makes the piece incredibly adaptable. Pair it with a crisp white shirt, deep navy trousers, or even a roll neck when the temperature drops. You can stay warm without compromising the look, which, trust me, is something many people struggle to get right.

That’s the beauty of a well-chosen piece. It works with you, not against you.

What really sets this jacket apart is its balance. It’s structured enough to hold its shape, yet relaxed enough to move with you. It doesn’t pull at the shoulders or restrict your arms. You look sharp without feeling stiff, and that’s a rare combination.

Simply put, this piece proves that fashion isn’t about labels or geography, it’s about dressing well for the occasion. In a world where trends fade faster than last week’s Instagram or TikTok obsession, tailoring like this remains timeless. It’s not about chasing noise. It’s about investing in something that will still look right years from now.

And that, to me, is always a smart move.