Budget Shopping! As complicated as it sounds, it is a hustle to be able to buy everything you are looking for with shallow pockets.
Trends are changing and so are our choices. We switch rapidly between a fab look to a lazy Sunday afternoon look. Through all the ins and outs, there is one outfit that has stuck around and continued to dazzle and symbolise elegance — the saree.
“I love wearing sarees for the reason that they are very comfortable. Being in college, I don’t get to wear it often but I long for the rare occasions when I can wear them. A huge portion of my cupboard is occupied by sarees that I’ve bought, and also hand-me-downs,” says Oshin Tresa Francis, a student from Christ University.
While there are places in and around Bengaluru with collections of the trendiest sarees, it is no secret that they come at a price. It’s the same with casual wear and everyday footwear too. And the city has enough and more choices for the thrifty shopper.
Head to these places for affordable fashion that does not compromise on the glam quotient.
Silver Plaza, Ibrahim Saheb Street
Located on the parallel road to Commercial Street, this buzzing lane is filled with people. The ground floor is dedicated to saree, churidar and blouse materials.
“They have a wide range of collections in all possible colours. There has not been an instance when I’ve come here in search of a matching saree or blouse and been disappointed. The materials I bought have also lasted long. The price range of the materials are between Rs 100-Rs 1,000” says Nishitha Rachel, a graduate from St Joseph’s College.
Infantry Road
Opposite a prominent jewellery store is a cart with a variety of blouses. From the simple, plain black blouses to the colour blocked, netted blouses, you can find anything you are looking for here.
“This is the cheapest place for readymade blouses. While they sell blouses for Rs 350, you can find the same blouses in branded shops for nothing less than Rs 1,000. But it is important to follow the usual drill of dry cleaning the blouse for its first wash, to ensure that the blouse does not fade too fast,” says Shivani, an IT student.
Keeping in mind how important it is for us to accessorise our looks, here is one spot with earrings to blow your mind.
Kamaraj Road
At the entrance of Commercial Street, opposite Commercial Plaza is a stall that sells junk jewellery.
Amritha Roy, a freelance designer says, “I love their collection of earrings. I have more than 12 earrings from this shop and I use them regularly. Though they are not silver, they last, and can be worn with so many outfits. The earrings are reasonably priced too. The most expensive earring I’ve bought was Rs 350.”
