A few months ago I was complaining how Vogue UK was becomg more and more irrelevant to the young and poor student readers in terms of styling inspirations. Yeah, expensive styling and editorials with designer clothes is pretty and all, but when it comes to monthly taunting of neh neh you can’t even imitate this look, it gets annoying. One month I flipped through the entire magazine with one flick-pace, said hm and then shoved it in my shelf. I’ve never looked at it again, that’s how irrelevant it was. Even the high-end editorials were nowhere close to mind blowing.

Then something happened last month, possibly a group of butt naked students walked into the Vogue offices with placards saying WE’RE POOR. They brought back More Dash than Cash section, with affordable styling with brilliant layering. Sure, it’s not beautiful photography or high-end styling, but most of us don’t live in the desert with Alexander McQueen dresses with tigers; and sure, it slightly reminds me of Cosmopolitan or Marie Claire spreads, but it’s FUNCTIONAL.

The section is full of inspirations, useful shopping links, and subtle DIY possibilities. Look at the third outfit with the floral fabric used as straps for the Aldo sandals; or the brilliant layering on the last outfit with cut off celeste tights worn as socks. Personally, as a full-time student, this is what hits my chords, and, as uncool it is to say this, it’s recession-friendly. This is what normal people would wear, and normal people read VOGUE.

Vogue UK May 2009 Pages 112-117

Sorry I don’t own a scanner, at least this month I recommend a purchase. There is also an utterly amazing section carrying images that inspired fashion designers, stylists and photographers – definitely worth a look.