Alexandra Stedman, more commonly known as The Frugality is a London-based Freelance Fashion Stylist who has worked for many top brands and fashion magazines including House of Fraser, H&M, Company Magazine (alas, no more), and Red Magazine. The stylist then made the leap into the world of freelance as a stylist and blogger, working with brands such as Conde Nast Traveller, Marie Claire, The White Company, Marks and Spencer – and that’s just naming a few!
Alex is candid about how she became a full-time freelance stylist and blogger, admitting that she worked “7 days a week for about 3-4 years. And a lot of the time it was 15 hour days”, and acknowledging that it is hard work and perseverance that has led to her success. It’s this candid, down to earth nature which has earned her a loyal following both on Instagram and on her blog.
When starting her blog Alex said that she noticed that many fashion blogs online were very high end, with people “all showing off the same Celine bag and photos from their holidays on yachts.” She noticed a gap in the market for a blog which was run by someone who wore high street clothing and cooked normal, comfort food.
She set the blog up in 2012 and at first she admits that she shot her fashion pictures in an alley at the side of her house and spent her weekends uploading posts, but by 2014 she was successfully running her own blog, and Instagram account as well as working full time at Red Magazine and running their Instagram account. It was in 2015 when she took the plunge to go freelance and has gone from strength to strength since then.
The Frugality’s fashion style is very quirky, led by the trends of the season, accessible and wearable and inspiring for many of her followers. She is also a spectacle wearer (which makes us at SelectSpecs very happy), so join us as we look at some of her best Instagram photos to see what eyewear she chooses on a daily basis and how she styles her glasses with different looks!
Seasonal Staples
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgI2Ek9gqAT/?taken-by=thefrugality
Alex has kept a firm hold on glamour and fashion throughout her pregnancy (she just recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, called Peggy!) pairing sunglasses and a faux fur coat together with leopard print ankle boots and a lovely deep green dress.
This is a striking look and one which really works well together. The glasses are Kate Spade, and on our website, we have a number of Kate Spade sunglasses available.
We think the Kate Spade Emmalyn/S sunglasses, pictured below are very similar to the NY ones that Alex is wearing in this picture, and can help you to channel your own chic look this Spring.
Follower-Selected Outfits
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfG6hj7Am7C/?taken-by=thefrugality
Alex likes to get her followers involved on her Instagram page and with the style choices she makes.
This unusual but lovely outfit was selected from H&M recently with the help of her followers and Instagram Stories. She posted a number of short videos of the items she liked and her followers helped her to select this outfit.
The red of her heels and the retro print of the skirt contrast perfectly with the laid-back look of the oversized grey sweater she has paired with them. She has accessorised the look with a simple black waist belt and matched the look with retro-style, oversized spectacles.
Check out the Hallmark H81076 frames for the perfect affordable dupe. They are available in black like in Alex’s picture above, or you can get them in a tortoiseshell finish to mix things up!
Dungaree Chic
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdlA-2ZA7Re/?taken-by=thefrugality
Some of us just can’t pull off dungarees (me for one- my legs are too short!), but Alex can not only pull them off in a fabulously stylish way, she also managed to look lovely in them whilst pregnant!
In this picture, she has rolled the cuffs up on the trousers and teamed them with the same red shoes from the previous photograph and then opted for a cosy look up top, with a grey fleck roll neck jumper and fluffy white coat. The look is both comfortable, accessible and glam. Lovely.
Her sunglasses are from Gucci, but if you’re looking for a luxury pair of sunglasses to pair with your dungarees this Spring, then the Dolce & Gabbana DG6110 sunglasses are very similar in style to Alex’s in the above picture. They come in a range of colours but I particularly like the black ones for understated luxury and style.
Which is your favourite of The Frugality’s stylish looks? Let us know by commenting on our social media. Also, if you liked reading this article about style and Instagram influencers, you might also want to read Blogger Style: Hello Miss Jordan.
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