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 seen by the title can this challenge be done 100% there is a huge misconception when it comes to people showcasing fashion on a budget they believe that at the end of the day you pay for what you get ever heard the term by cheap by twice and that is exactly true but to be able to do this you need to know the right places to look and in my personal experience when getting into fashion my number one place to go is to charity shops why? Well because bare in mind what your purchasing from here is pre owned clothing which can vary from many many brands i have seen so many high end fashion brands in excellent condition some include ysl, Charles Tyrwhitt, Armani, and many more, so let's get straight into this 

Giordano 

I found this blazer by the  brand Giordano in my nearest Oxfam. It was tailor made to someone and by a miracle it was the perfect size for me. After researching this specific blazer i found the price online for 240 euros and I picked it up for £12 I mean honestly that is an amazing price to pick something of this quality up 

Now after researching this brand for a bit it will surprise you too know that this is not an Italian brand but that it was founded in Hong Kong and when I found out about that I was a little surprised but not overall as I know that Hong Kong tailoring is up there and in my opinion on par if not better than some British tailoring brands out there. 

Some brands shout for attention. Giordano prefers a knowing smile and a well cut jacket. Founded in Hong Kong back in 1981, the brand took its name from a small Italian restaurant the founder stumbled upon. There was no grand marketing meeting, no branding agency on retainer, just a gut feeling that the word Giordano sounded sophisticated, and European enough to dress the modern man. 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's the DNA of everything they make. These are clothes that fit beautifully without trying too hard. You won’t find them chasing fast fashion trends or screaming with logos. Giordano is the brand equivalent of that one friend who turns up to dinner perfectly dressed but swears he just threw something on.

It’s easy to mistake understatement for simplicity, but Giordano’s kind of simplicity is deliberate, even strategic. Every shirt, every blazer, every piece of casual wear is meticulously constructed to balance structure with ease. It’s the kind of tailoring that lets you move, breathe, and still look like you know exactly what you’re doing.

From that modest beginning in Hong Kong, Giordano has grown into a truly global name, with over 1,800 stores across thirty countries. You’ll find it in Milan and Dubai, Tokyo and London, each store whispering the same story in a different accent. The reason is simple: Giordano’s design language is universal. It’s the soft-spoken conversation between quality fabrics, clean lines, and that elusive sense of confidence you can’t fake.

The brand’s internal philosophy is QKISS Quality, Knowledge, Innovation, Service, and Simplicity. sounds like something out of a management seminar, but in practice, it’s refreshingly straightforward. Make good clothes. Make them well. Treat people decently. It’s old-fashioned in the best possible way.

The European line, distinguished by its Italian tricolour tag and soft tailoring, refines this idea even further. Inside those jackets, floral linings bloom like a wink to anyone paying attention. There’s personality beneath the polish, craftsmanship beneath the calm. It’s the kind of detail that rewards the man who looks closely  and if you’re the kind who enjoys a well-poured Negroni or a good cigar after dinner, you’ll appreciate that sort of subtlety.

Giordano doesn’t scream luxury. It doesn’t need to. Its elegance comes from the understanding that true style doesn’t demand attention it earns it quietly. In a fashion world obsessed with making noise, Giordano reminds us that confidence often speaks in a lower tone.

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

Blazer

Ah! this blazer is absolutely beautiful I didn't see the inner lining patten until I was doing the photo shoot and although its quite loud it goes with it really well. This blazer is made out of 69% cotton, 30% Viscose 1% Elastane and the inner lining is 100% Polyester now my favourite factor about this blazer is the fit as I mentioned before whoever purchased this before had the same measurements to me and it fits like a glove the lapels however I'm not truly a fan of but it started growing on me a bit after the shoot and this blazer is now one of my favoured pieces the lapels aren't too thin or wide but just right as goldilocks would say. I'm liking the beige colour as it can be worn day and night and it gives me a bit of a tony soprano vibe so picture a nice cool night cigar in your left hand and checking the hour on your time piece before heading into the Bada Bing 

Whatever contents you put into your jacket is up to you and I will never know but this jacket is very ideal for someone who carries a few bits, it has four inside pockets and I have never come across a jacket that has this many but due to it being tailored the previous owner would have additional pockets as they had full control of customization of the jacket. 

Now the crucial part is how and where to style this beautiful tailored piece for me. I think it's a bit more on the casual side of things so I would largely wear this on a date or a friend/ family dinner as to me it says you have taste and know how to dress without trying too hard. The how part I keep simple as a white crisp shirt to let that beige pop out of the blazer and ill usually leave two to three buttons undone to let a bit of personality out and confidence and I usually say if you think you want to wear black ditch it and throw on navy so I would add a pair of navy trousers for some refined contrast that will ground the lighter tones of the blazer. I would never ever wear a pair of trainers with a jacket I just think for me it ruins the whole experience and what you are tying to throw on but I completely understand if you are in the corporate world and have a far destination and you don't want your feet the ache in the shoes you haven't broke in yet or there not your correct size, and another think make sure you measure your feet! I can assure that none of you want to be walking wherever it is you walk and 20 minutes in your feet are hurting so make sure you do that correctly

For an outfit like this I love to wear a pair of Chelsea boots as for me you can never go wrong they are stylish and look wonderful with a suit and very comfortable compared to the likes of oxford shoes or any other boots. I like to keep accessories to a minimum with a suit so I believe it's nice to go with a stylish yet simplistic watch that may have meaning to you or something that you like the look of. 

I also think this jacket works best in smart casual environments like city lunches, art gallery strolls if you are into that, or a solo coffee date which could perhaps turn into accidental cocktails and a few new phone numbers if that's the case then good on you. And one thing to remember gents clothes don't make the man but the certainly stop him from being asked if he's lost when he walks into a nice restaurant 

Final thoughts 

This jacket in incredible it has a balance of confidence but it does not shout for attention and my favourite aspect of this jacket its the warm earthy tone of colour it has making it perfect for adapting and pairing with a multitude of different clothes such as those crisp white shirts, to deep nav, and even a turtle neck for when the temperature drops and you want to stay warm without ruining your outfit which trust me I have seen many times on people they just don't know how to adapt to the weather. 

What really makes this jacket great and sets it apart is its balance. Structured enough to hold its shape yet relaxed to move with you it doesn't snag on the shoulders or arms making it uncomfortable for you at every move you will look extra sharp without feeling stiff.

Simply put this jacket just shows you that fashion isn't about being overseas its about being well dressed for the occasion and setting and especially in a world where trends fade faster than last season Instagram or TikTok sound tailoring like this is always a smart investment