Still, if you’ve made it to college in one piece, you’re probably already aware of the thrift-friendly institutions that are Topshop/Topman, Penneys, River Island, A-Wear, Dunnes Stores and M&S. Topman and Topshop are offering a particularly generous 15% discount to students at the moment, so that’s well worth taking advantage of.
Our fashion advice can be summed up in a few sentences: be creative, accessorise with care and keep an open mind. For instance, with a little imagination a €2 boob tube becomes a mini skirt, a vintage tie becomes a belt and your Granddad’s cardigan becomes a dress (don’t laugh; I’ve done all of these).
Also, don’t get too hung up on quality. Living as we do in economically precipitous times, T-shirts, shirts, tights and vests will inevitably be donned over and over – don’t fret if they become a bit worn. If the worst comes to the worst, break out the needle and thread.
Nor should you discount your parents’ wardrobe. Believe it or not, your mother and father were – a very long ago, admittedly – vaguely interested in fashion. Sooner or later that hideous jumper dad sported circa 1978 will come back into fashion. The same applies to donations from older sisters and brothers, aunts and uncles or, if you’re lucky, forward-looking grandparents who keep their clothes in mothballs. Guys, ask for jackets, ties, belts, hats and shoes. Team with a Topman tee and jeans and you’re good to go. Girls, don’t be afraid to borrow from the boys (but remember gentlemen, never the other way around.)
Vintage, second-hand and charity stores also offer a good way to update your wardrobe, partially because the clothes are of better quality than your average bargain-bin and partially because you will take a lot more time and care when choosing them. And therein lies the key to a good bargain hunt: time and patience.
Charities like Oxfam, Barnardo’s, Gorta and many more all have second-hand stores up and down the country. In Dublin, Capel St., Camden St. and Liffey St. are the hotspots. Barnardo’s Charity Shop on Liffey St. is a favourite with the fashionistas and Ritzy Rags on Bolton St. (run by Friends of the Elderly) stands out from the crowd by sourcing a good portion of its stock in Parisian markets. For vintage on the breadline, Wild Child and Eager Beaver (both in Temple Bar) are the most pocket-friendly, especially if you have a taste for ’70s and ’80s styles.
Go early in the morning and remember, half the fun is in the rifling around. Just remember to return the favour by donating to your local charity shop – one man’s trash is another man’s vintage Chanel 2.55 bag.
And if you feel an involuntary splurge coming on, put your money into your footwear. You can tell a poor student by the (many) holes in his shoes. Similarly, a pair of good jeans and a well-made jacket will get you everywhere.
Markets are always worth a look – the Cow’s Lane designer mart (every Saturday 10am-5pm in Temple Bar) is one of the best. The Bernard Shaw pub on Dublin’s Richmond St. is fast becoming as trendy for shopping as it is for drinking. Pick up some great accessories at the monthly Car Boot Sale (next scheduled for September 27 and November 8) or even set up shop and sell your own.

Celina wears:
Shoes, €20, on sale from Office
Knee-high socks, €2.50, Penneys
Sleeveless top (worn as skirt), €2, Penneys
Top, stolen from mam’s closet
Necklace, £5, Camden Market
Jacket, €9, PenneysGloves, €6, Barnardos