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How can we defy the downturn and live well in London on a limited budget? Liz Hoggard tells us her 10 top cheap thrills...
ASDA'S £20 'CITY SUIT'
As prices crash around us it was only a matter of time. Yesterday the retailer introduced a single-breasted suit made from polyester, viscose and elastane which it claims is chic enough for any workplace. Machine-washable, it comes in sizes eight-22. I approached it with trepidation. Would the jacket cling? Would the extra-large trousers fit over my arse? Amazingly I found that the cheap fabric drapes well and from a distance, it passes the snob test. If in doubt, distract from the cut with large amounts of accessories.
CREDIT CRUNCH THEATRE
Can't afford the dress circle any more? True culture vultures are happy to stand. The Royal Court is offering eight 10p tickets to see Tarrell Alvin McCraney's drag queen extravaganza, Wig Out! Queue for an hour before the show for standing room in the slips. Because of the unusual catwalk staging, they are among the best places in the house. And every Monday evening throughout the year, all Court tickets are reduced to £10.
www.royalcourttheatre.com
THE RISE OF HANDICRAFTS
A recent study showed that knitting is one of the best ways to combat recession blues. I Knit London meet for a night of knitting, crocheting, chat and drinking each Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm in their shop, two minutes from Waterloo Station. Just turn up with yarn, needles and attitude.www.iknit.org.uk
DISCOVERING HIDDEN GEMS
Even the fashionistas are venturing beyond the West End. Vogue magazine recently voted The Deptford Project, a cafe/bistro housed in a converted 1960s train carriage next to Deptford train station, the coolest venue in town. When commuters are having to fork out an extra 15 per cent for rail journeys, the 57-seater carriage, with an interior by Studio Myerscough, is a bargain. And soon it will start serving a credit crunch lunch menu.
www.thedeptfordproject.com
FREE ART
With the death of bling, we're taking advantage of everything from the Courtauld (free from 10am-2pm on Monday, www.courtauld.ac.uk) to late-night at the Tate (first Friday of each month 6-10pm, www.tate.org.uk).
SUPPER CLUBS
Eating out at home is moving up a gear as fashionable people join groups to expand their culinary and conversational horizons. The trouble is being trendy enough to gain membership. The solution? Start your own and choose yourself a new group of foodie friends.
HOME CINEMA NIGHTS
Whether it's the box set of Mad Men or the latest Bond, more of us are organising film screenings for friends at home. Sign up for a 14-day free trial membership to LOVEFiLM (www.lovefilm.com, from £3 per month) for all the latest releases, and invite as many friends round as you can fit on your sofa.
MARTIN'S MONEY TIPS
Sign up to Martin Lewis's credit-crunchtastic website, www.moneysavingexpert.com, which sends out a weekly memo urging you to save and spend more wisely. The latest included half-price hotel deals and 7.5 per cent savings rates.
THE RISE OF THE CREDIT LUNCH
From good-value locals to fine dining, restaurants are laying on recession offers. The Standard's own promotion with D&D London offers meals out at top London restaurants from £10, including a £25 deal at Coq d'Argent or Orrery (www.standard.co.uk/dine).
WARDROBE RECYCLING
At "bitch'*'swap" parties friends get together, drink, gossip and swap their cast-offs. The rules are straightforward: you take it in turns to hold up a garment and explain why you're getting rid of it ("the dress I was dumped in", "the shoes that never fitted"). Then, if anyone wants your fashion disaster, they offer you a fun, conscience-free alternative. I'm never queuing in the sales again.
Starting tomorrow, the Evening Standard will run a regular item to let you know how to get the best value for your hard-earned cash.
Reader views (2)
I think the £20 suit sounds like a fantastic idea. A standard M&S £150 suit is beyond the reach of many people on benefits and turning up to an interview without a suit often marks you out (even if only in your own head) as not a credible candidate.
Can't stand Martin Lewis and the way he encourages people to be argumentative to customer services people though..
- James, London, 06/01/2009 18:14
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The £20 suit sounds gross. Cheap manmade fabric always looks awful and in a Size 22,what can I say, the bigger it is the worse it gets. Good free advert form ASDA though, or was it product placement?
- Freda Pashley, London, 06/01/2009 13:51
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