Your student loan is stingy, but fear not. Today's trend is not to brag about your designer purchase but to show off that your outfit was as cheap as chips.

Fortunately for us penny-pinching students, the high street is struggling and as a result shops have put many of this season's essential items in the usually drab mid-season sale. It's time to abandon the linen basics and snuggle up in fabulously cosy grey staples. If you've spent more time reading the TV Times than Vogue and Cosmo you may not have heard that grey is hot. Check out Matalan's grey mac which is chic in any season but perfectly now. It is only £25 and gives you instant sophistication when you've just rolled out of bed for an early lecture.

As the months get colder, you can follow your animal instincts and keep yourself warm with this leopard print beanie from Topshop, £15. This hat will keep out the cold weather and leave you feeling smug when you look at Prada's leopard print bag at a staggering $1793.22 (£960).

For nights out check out Oasis' dogtooth shirt dress (another key print), £30, which could be teamed with leggings for daytime chic or bronzed pins for twilight glamour. Tartan is no longer reserved for the Scottish population, it is now culturally acceptable in the fashion world in the form of cute minis from Warehouse.

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Fashion isn't restricted to the female population, and boys can afford to look beyond the usual uniform (horrible hoodies and catastrophic combats) to adopt a more credible image. The versatile and comfy parka is now officially cool and can be obtained for £35 from Matalan. The obsession with all things grey also transcends gender barriers and can be adopted as smart shirts or cool cardis at Zara.

It is worth noting that many stores, such as Primark, don't advertise and rely on word of mouth to spread the news of their ridiculously cheap must have items, so if you want to grab a bargain you'll have to don your walking shoes and visit your nearest store. Many shops offer student discount as well as after hours lock-ins (think substantial discount and champagne).

Next time you decide to miss your important seminar in favour of a browse around the city centre, forget the student jeans and jumpers and reach for the catwalk. Find a bargain and you can be that fashionable bugger everyone admires in tedious lectures.

Where do you go to find high street high fashion for less?

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