Help! I've never worn trousers that aren't jeans
'I see women in pretty trousers and think, 'I wish I could wear those, I just don't know how.' It doesn't help that being 5ft 7in means I'm often too tall for regular lengths and too short for long ones.'
Solution
If your height means you fall between regular and tall collections, look for cropped styles in the tall section. These will fall at the perfect length – nothing flapping around the ankles or trailing on the floor.
Verdict
'I'd never have dared try these patterned trousers, yet I feel so elegant in them. Jess has helped me unlock a whole new section of my wardrobe – I'm going trouser-shopping now!'
Make-up: Levi-Jade taylor at Carol Hayes using Charlotte Tilbury.
Hair: Dayna Vaughan-Teague using GHD Tools.
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The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
I'm 27 with £120k in savings – but I don't work 9-5 and I'll even retire at 40… anyone can do it
WE'VE all fantasized about retiring from work early - but for most of us it's more of a dream than a possibility. But you don't need a high-flying job or rich parents to make it happen. Maria Psarkis, 27, explains how she has built up £120,000 in saving and plans to retire at just 40. 6 6 6 Maria is just one of a new breed of SHINERs - Side Hustlers Habitually Investing - nurturing income and retiring early. It might not sound catchy - but this group of savvy savers use side hustles and multiple income streams to build their wealth - and avoid the traditional nine to five. In their case, it's their forties when they plan to stop working, or cut their workload to just a few hours a week. Maria explains: "I've upcycled, grafted, and used SEVEN side hustles to build £150k in savings, businesses and investments. "I don't and won't do nine to five. I'm creating my own 'side hustle retirement fund' and building investments by multitasking. "It's not about quitting forever. It's about freedom and being able to choose how and when I work." Maria is not alone. Around 14% of Gen Z - those born after 1996 - want to soft retire in their 40s and stop full-time work before they hit 50, according to a 2024 YouGov survey. But rather than dreaming of sitting on the beach or enjoying a round of golf, many younger people like Maria see soft retiring as a flexible lifestyle shift – not a full stop. They want to be their own bosses and do fewer hours, work remotely and use side hustles to give them financial freedom. Psychic's path to manifesting money and getting rich | Talking Money For Maria this means being a landlord, running a fashion business and working in hospitality, consultancy and content creation. Side hustle empire Maria started to build up her side hustle empire while she was in school and still lived with her parents. "I don't come from a rich family," she said. "When I was 17, I started working on Saturdays doing admin tasks. I tried to save 60% of my wages." When she turned 18, her gran also gave her £2,000, which, when added to her Saturday job and holiday work, brought her savings up to £7,000. After leaving school, Maria worked for twelve months as a waitress, doing event management, part-time modelling and social media marketing. "I am not the typical blonde-haired model," Maria explains. "Agents liked my dark hair, nose and what they called 'Arabic looks'. "I was living at home, so I could save almost 70% of what I earned. I used that year to develop multiple skills at entry-level positions." In 2017, Maria began her hospitality management and marketing degree at the University of Chester. On top of her classes, she also worked four or five shifts a week as a waitress or at hospitality events. "I budgeted £100 a week for travel and food and saved what I could," she said. "I was modelling for fashion students, did catalogue modelling, swimwear and clubwear for fashion companies, and was helping people market themselves on social media." As part of her degree, Maria won the Entrepreneurship in action competition with her business plan for a sustainable clubwear and Gen Z fashion brand. "The judges told me my idea could be launched on a budget and would work," she said. "It was the first time anyone had really praised my business nous and money-making ideas." During that time, Maria became obsessed with side hustles, spreading investment risk and saving. She explains: "I did go out, but limited my spending. "I had fun, but on a budget. I moved in with relatives in the second year to save even more money and cut my student loan liability." By this point, Maria's savings had reached £40,000, so she decided to start investing. But she ended up learning the hard way that investments can go wrong. She chose to try bitcoin trading and invested £7,000 - but soon lost it all. "I ended up being scammed. I was gutted," she said. "Meanwhile, two friends I'd loaned money to could not pay back the £300 I lent them. "Losing £7,300 was my financial rock bottom. I was furious with myself and that anger fuelled my plan to take control and aim to soft retire at 40. "It made me hungry to make sure I was financially protected, never suffered stupid exposure levels, and was always making, not losing, money." The situation made Maria even more focused on her finances. She decided to pay £4,500 upfront for her Master of Science in Management and Marketing to avoid having to pay interest on a student loan. She made extra cash to cover the costs by working as a waitress, events manager, model, travel agent and in social media marketing and advertising. Saved thousands She says: "I made back what I lost and added to my savings. "I had money in a savings account and was using an investment Isa. "I also regularly switched current accounts when offers came up on interest rates or cash bonuses." Maria also took out a credit card with a £2,000 limit to build up her credit score, but made sure to always pay off the balance in full. By 2022, she had amassed £70,000 in savings, including earnings from part-time work, interest from her Isa and side hustles. "I worked and saved hard for the money," she admits. "My financial rock bottom inspired me. I had the savings, but I still was not investment smart." Maria decided to move in with her grandmother in Manchester to save thousands of pounds in rent payments. She used £5,000 of her savings to launch her fashion brand, XX-Attire. The company initially offered clubwear and swimwear, but now sells work-friendly fashion to customers who want sustainable but edgy fashion. Maria said: "I did pop-up shops and catwalk shows in Manchester, London, Greece and Thailand. "I worked on the clothes myself, and the business is now making a profit. "I keep an eye on costs daily, develop only ranges I know will sell out using social media algorithms and client feedback. "I also make customised outfits which can earn me more than £500 per outfit." Property portfolio Maria also realised that the way to really put her money to work was to develop a property portfolio. Two years ago, she bought a two-bedroom house in Manchester for £89,000 and rented it out. She put down a deposit of £29,000 and took out a £60,000 mortgage over 20 years at a five-year fixed rate of 2.2%. Her monthly repayments were £309.25 and she earns £850 a month in rent. "I put that rent money into the mortgage each month and was always paying extra," she said. "I added a spare tenner or fiver weekly and it's cutting years and interest repayments off my mortgage." In total, Maria is able to overpay her mortgage by £61 a month. "This means I can pay off the mortgage four years early, save £3,789 in interest, and gain 48 months of financial freedom," she explains. 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"People don't understand, Gen Z are not about one job, we're about multiple jobs or side hustles. "I earn money from my social media platforms, monetising them so instead of freebies, I get paid from the creators' fund or sponsored posts. "This can pull in £2,000 to £3,000 a month. I also earn a percentage from clients I've built social media content for, through their creators' fund payments." Maria has continued to run specialist hospitality events and says the skills she's learnt since she was 17 now help her to turn a profit. "I've also developed a new side hustle with my partner, who is a chef. "I help people to plan unusual date nights, hire someone to cook for them at home or use simple recipes to recreate restaurant-style food themselves. "It's a unique idea that adds another side hustle to my businesses." She also earns £200 a month by working as a travel agent. Meanwhile, she makes £400 a month from a photo studio that she leases and uses for photo shoots, makeovers and social media marketing. Maria saves a minimum of £1,000 or more a month. "I learnt to do my own accounting at university and have an accountant sign off on it," she said. "I also pay £200 a month into a self invested personal pension and top it up when I can." Maria's now on track to build an investment portfolio, including multiple side hustle businesses, Isas and her fashion brand, and expects to be worth more than half a million within five years. "I have fun. I go out. But I never miss an opportunity or let an idea slip away," she said. "Many people want to be different. They want a side hustle but are scared because the last generation told them nine to five jobs. 'I don't want a rocking chair in my forties. I plan to be soft retired, bossing it on a beach with a laptop." 6 6 Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
I swapped homes with a total stranger from Instagram to save money while traveling
A woman who swapped homes with a total stranger on Instagram to save money on hotel costs while she was traveling has shared the highs and lows of the experience. Sara Holt, 27, from Copenhagen, was planning a trip to Paris, France, and got fed up with the eye-watering prices of hotels and Airbnbs. Inspired by the Cameron Diaz-lead movie The Holiday, she decided to turn to social media to try to find someone living in the European city who might exchange abodes with her. She shared a video of her studio apartment on Instagram and received offers from people all over the world. And she ultimately switched with a girl living in the heart of Paris. She flew out on July 16 and stayed for a week – enjoying everything the city of lights had to offer for a fraction of the price. 'Travelling is expensive but a lot of the time, it is the accommodation that really breaks the bank,' she told Luxury Travel Daily recently. 'With home swapping, you really only have to pay for the transportation, which is a big perk when trying to save some money. 'Since watching The Holiday for the first time, I've always wanted to try it.' The 2006 flick - which also starred Jude Law, Kate Winslet, and Jack Black - followed two strangers, one from a quiet English village and the other from star-studded Hollywood, who decided to trade homes in an attempt to spice up their lives. In addition to saving money, there were a load of other benefits that came with living in someone's home rather than staying at a hotel. 'I was so happy arriving in her flat in Paris. It looked amazing, very homey and she had cleaned and laid out a list with local recommendations as well as a welcome gift of wine, soaps and chocolate,' Sara recalled. 'It was a bit strange to live in someone else's space but it quickly felt very homey.' The content creator estimates she saved $800 on accommodation fees – and all in all, she only paid $650 for the entire trip, including flights, food, drinks and shopping. She loved the experience so much that she now can't imagine travelling any other way. Sara said: 'It was great to have your own kitchen and everything you need on hand, which is not the case in a hotel. Sara flew out on July 16 and stayed for a week – enjoying everything the city of lights had to offer for a fraction of the price 'Living in her area had a very local feel as well, which was great. It was more like trying "everyday life" in Paris instead of a holiday. 'It was just perfect. We were keeping in touch all week, asking questions and sending each other recommendations. 'It was like having a guide ready in your pocket the whole time. The whole thing felt very wholesome.' Sara added that the girl living in her apartment left it 'spotless,' in fact, it was 'almost better than when she left.' But there were some downsides. Particularly, she admitted that she was worried knowing there was no second party involved to help if something went wrong in her temporary home. 'I was a bit more worried than usual about keeping her space in order – as there is not second party involved, I really didn't want to break anything or lose her keys – stuff like that,' she explained. 'I was a bit nervous the months leading up to it, that one of us would have to cancel after the other person had already booked flights. 'There's no refund policy when you just swap with someone outside of the platforms. Luckily that didn't happen!' In addition to saving money, there were a load of other benefits that came with living in someone's home rather than staying at a hotel. The apartment she stayed in is pictured Despite some initial nerves about swapping her $950-a-month studio flat in Denmark with a stranger, the whole week went off without a hitch. Sara concluded: 'The money saved was definitely a bonus but the real win was feeling like a local and having that insider experience. 'I'd encourage anyone curious about home swapping to just take the leap. It's such a unique way to travel and connect with people. 'It's not just about saving money – it's about the stories you collect and the memories you make in a home that isn't your own.'
Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Telegraph
I turned my old jeans into a new season wardrobe
I have long considered myself a mindful shopper, adhering to the sustainable mantra of 'buy less, buy better'. I haven't bought fast fashion since my early twenties and despite being a fashion journalist, my wardrobe isn't a Carrie Bradshaw -esque walk-in filled to the brim. So when doing a spot of spring cleaning recently, I was more than a little horrified to discover a drawer stuffed with no less than 20 pairs of jeans I'd forgotten I had, let alone recently worn. While my pile is certainly hefty, I'm not alone in hoarding denim. According to a study by industry platform, Fashion United, the average woman has seven pairs in their wardrobe. However, we're not wearing them; globally, an estimated 2.16 million tons of jeans are thrown away every year with the majority ending up in landfill. The numbers are serious but perhaps not all that surprising. Although jeans are an everyday staple, constantly changing denim trends means it's easy for styles to feel dated. When combing through my stash I discovered pairs reaching as far back as a decade that I'd neglected on account of them looking passé. Others didn't fit anymore and some were downright unflattering (the fit of jeans being notoriously hard to get right even for a former fashion editor like me) but all in good condition and certainly not ready for the dustbin. However, 20 pairs of surplus jeans takes up far too much precious storage space – so what now? What's old can become new again 'Denim is a brilliant, durable material with so many options for upcycling. There are plenty of designers who can repair, alter or completely redesign your clothes, saving them from landfill and giving them a whole new lease of life', says Daisy Harvey, founder of Loom, a fashion upcycling app launched in February this year. Fancy turning your old bootlegs into a midi skirt? Or too-small skinnies into a slouchy shoulder bag? Upload a picture of your unworn item and Loom links you up with a designer who will transform it into something new. The trend for upcycled denim is on the rise – and comes with serious style credentials. Founded by fashion stylist Anna Forster, ELV Denim reworks jeans from vintage warehouses or the Textile Recycling Association which would otherwise have gone to landfill into new, expertly designed pairs beloved by the style crowd. Luxury British shoe maker Florrie London recently launched a limited run of its best-selling styles, including a kitten heeled sling-back and strappy flat, reimagined in unworn denim sourced from the brand's customer base. On the high street, Cos has launched a spring denim collection made from pre-loved cotton. Vintage mecca Beyond Retro has teamed up with Seasalt on a capsule made from repurposed jeans including a Seventies-inspired patchwork pinafore dress. Just add a cotton blouse and clogs to tap into this season's bohemian look. Be unique Considering one pair of jeans uses 3,781 litres of water to make (the equivalent of showering for five hours solidly), extending the life cycle of existing denim rather than buying new is the more sustainable choice. However, aside from the environmental benefits, there are aesthetic advantages to upcycling, too. 'No more worrying someone will turn up wearing the same thing as you, you can create something totally unique and tailored to you', says Harvey. Indeed with fast-fashion dupes and 'get-the-look' culture on social media attributing to an increasingly homogeneous fashion landscape, it can be hard to find pieces that speak to personal style. It was partly a demand for a more individual approach to dressing that inspired Harvey to launch Loom: 'I was having the same conversation with customers again and again where they kept saying they couldn't find what they were looking for [in the shops]. I started connecting them with designers I knew to get their items reimagined. Seeing how excited they were was my 'ah ha' moment.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by SALVEDGE (@salvedge_) And it's not just jeans. Loom's roster of 100 designers will upcycle any piece of clothing from shirts and leather items to wedding dresses. In May, it was announced as a winner of the H&M Global Change Award 2025. 'We've already had customers and designers reaching out from the US and Europe wanting to use the app (we're currently only based in the UK), so it's clear that people love the idea' says Harvey. My first (and last) foray into upcycling was during my GCSE textile course when I turned one of my dad's old work shirts into a rather suspect halter dress. Can a more stylish result be achieved when left to the experts? Keen to find out – and free-up my bedroom drawers – I turned to Loom to transform my discarded mountain of jeans into a capsule of chic and contemporary pieces I'll get plenty of wear out of. Project one Off-white denims reinvented I start the process by dividing my jeans into three groups: white, indigo and mid-blue. With so many pairs I need a way in which to sort them and doing so by colour feels like a sensible option. Once organised, I start thinking about what each pile could be transformed into, my aim being to end up with three new items in total. Having been eyeing-up a few designer denim shirts, I decide my collection of off-white jeans are to be turned into something similar. I take photos of the four pairs and upload them to the app along with some inspiration images. My 'project' is responded to by Ellie Brown, a denim specialist based in Manchester who sends me her quote of £120 – less than half the price of the designer styles I've been looking at. While I have a good idea about what new pieces I'd like based on what's missing from my wardrobe, for those who need guidance the app can help. When uploading a project you are given the option of leaving the brief open for designers to respond with their ideas. You can also set your budget and deadline. Project two Make me a midi skirt Sticking with Brown, I send my next project over the app: six pairs of blue jeans made into an A-line midi skirt. At just shy of 5ft 8in, I find most midis are too short, cutting me off at the widest part of my calf, so I'm excited to have something created to the exact length I want. To that end, Brown sends me a comprehensive list of body measurements she needs to make sure the skirt, as well as the other pieces she's making, are the right fit. For upcycles that involve bridal, tailoring or anything very fitted, the app will link you up with a designer local to you (they are based throughout the UK) to allow in-person fittings. However if, like me, you need to do remote fittings, Harvey promises that any fit issue will be adjusted by your designer. In fact, when my aforementioned shirt gapes a little over the bust, I make a plan with Brown to send it back and have it tweaked. Project three Go wide My final upcycling request is for two pairs of indigo jeans with outdated and frankly frumpy cuts to be spliced into one pair of cool wide-legs with an on-trend deep cuff. I'm delighted when they return and immediately wear them out to pub drinks with friends, who greet them with compliments. 'We're here to prove that upcycling is a beautiful experience that has the potential to revolutionise the way we shop', says Harvey. With alterations starting at £30, dyeing projects from £80 and custom redesigns from £100, upcycling isn't as cheap as popping into Zara, but it's certainly an accessible option and comes with much less 'shopper's guilt'. At £120 for the wide-leg jeans and £140 for the skirt and top – plus the £19 it cost to post all of my jeans to Manchester – my upcycling projects hit around the same price they would have had I bought them from the high-end, high street brands I usually shop from. However, thanks to the easy communication via Loom's app messaging service, I was able to discuss design details with Brown throughout the process, such as button choices and hem lengths, making the finished garments feel more bespoke and special than if they'd come off the peg. My conclusion Like other sustainable shopping options – such as browsing vintage and pre-loved sites – upcycling is more time-consuming than simply clicking to buy something new. From uploading my projects to the app to receiving the final pieces, the whole process took just under four weeks. That said, my upcycles were multiple and on the more ambitious side – a straightforward alternation or dye job can be turned around in a matter of days. Would I upcycle again? Absolutely. Harvey tells me the most dramatic transformation to date is a bride turning her wedding dress into a zebra print bag. Perhaps a little too adventurous for me, however I would like to dye my wedding shoes a different colour so that, five years later, I can finally wear them again. I also have five black pairs of jeans left over from my stash that I quite fancy transforming into a denim maxi dress for the summer. 'Upcycling is all about continuing the story of your most valued pieces', says Harvey. And in my case, a smart solution to my accumulation of endless pairs of jeans.
