By Callum Ludwig
Cost-of-living pressures are ensuring serial shoppers are feeling the pinch, and it’s tough to feel as though you were confident enough to hit the catwalk on a budget.
Yarra Junction First Impressions Clothing Exchange (FICE) showed serial shoppers another alternative with a fashion parade at Yarra Junction Library this week.
First Impressions Clothing Exchange Coordinator Renee Cooke said it’s important for women to be able to dress fashionably on a budget.
“Sometimes, they are also uncertain of their style as well, so at FICE we help them with picking an outfit or styling and providing access to affordable fashion they might not be able to otherwise purchase,” she said.
“Cost of living is playing a big part on people’s budgets and especially being in the Valley, it’s not as accessible to the major shops, especially with petrol and mortgage increases another factor.”
FICE’s Customer Services Officer Nicole was the first to strut her stuff, putting together an outfit that cost a mere $16.
Ms Cooke said FICE likes to keep everything at a really accessible price for women and will always help them out with extra things like makeup and pamper packs.
“Women can mix and match with their own clothing, or walk away with quite a few outfits together. It’s empowering for women to feel good about themselves and what they wear,” she said.
“It can change your whole perspective on your day-to-day life, how you engage with others or how you feel if you are going for a job interview. You just feel better, it’s like invisible confidence comes out.”
Volunteers Trish and Barbara came out showcasing a number of pieces of casualwear, with Trish, in particular, a big fan of a number of linen shirts.
Ms Cooke said the program creates accessibility to popular brands people otherwise may not have access to.
“We often can get brands that maybe are out of people’s reach normally, that they can purchase for $5 or $10,” she said.
“Each person gets rid of about 23 kilos of clothing annually, so there is a definite need for the sustainability and the recycling of clothing, whether it’s to repurpose it for your own needs like we saw Barbara do, who has her own eclectic style, or buying secondhand.”
Last but not least was Genie, who kept it classy with a number of stylish dresses perfect for a night out.
Yarra Junction FICE is open Monday to Friday from 9pm to 5pm. Entry is through the pink door.
Work experience and volunteer opportunities are available at both FICE locations at Yarra Junction and Mooroolbark.
Donations of good quality women’s clothing are accepted at FICE Yarra Junction and Mooroolbark, Chirnside Park Community Hub, and Cire’s Lilydale office. They ask you to leave donations during office hours so they can thank you personally. CIRE can be contacted at 1300 835 235.
