![allyson sitting in chair wearing t-shirt with 'stereolab' text.](http://beaconscloset.com/cdn/shop/articles/9ED5FECF-87DE-4089-8B5E-605A462F1968_960x1280_crop_center.jpg?v=1691537461)
c-note style with allyson
![allyson sitting chair wearing floral jumper and t-shirt with 'stereolab' text.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0017/7502/files/4AFEA968-A149-499C-AF8D-0CBDEC62EBC9_1024x1024.jpg?v=1652896376)
in this shopping budget challenge musician allyson finds the perfect balance and fashions a look for $79.80
describe your style:
ethereal glam chaotic sugarplum dark fairy pop star. it's all about having a perfect balance. when i get ready, i just put things on until it's equal parts perfect and awful.
![allyson in front of brooklyn stoop wearing floral jumper, corset, and t-shirt with 'stereolab' text.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0017/7502/files/61AD4E3B-04B3-4553-849B-8D5EE38F24F1_1024x1024.jpg?v=1652896474)
what was the inspiration behind this look?
the pinafore first caught my eye, i'm a sucker for ruffles and cutesy pieces. and then i saw the shoes which reminded me of those ann demeulemeester lace-up boots with a john fluevog heel. the look is giving me belle and sebastian music video vibes.
![allyson holding on to stoop railing in t-shirt with 'stereolab' text.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0017/7502/files/832B930C-DD31-4565-9320-F5DF5D4FBCD6_1024x1024.jpg?v=1652896517)
what meaning do clothes have for you?
i like to wear clothes that make me feel powerful. i wrote a song that's on our new album called x-ray vision where i refer to clothing as armor. i like to wear pieces that give me power and make me feel confident.
![allyson sitting on stairs featuring extended leg wearing t-shirt with 'stereolab' text.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0017/7502/files/9774E5F2-A49B-413B-8E5F-26C3E42F26D7_1024x1024.jpg?v=1652896553)
how did you first get interested in clothes?
i would go thrifting with my mom regularly when i was younger so it was fun for me to hunt for things that looked like what i would see in magazines i was reading at the time like nylon and teen vogue.
![allyson in front of stoop in t-shirt with 'stereolab' text.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0017/7502/files/A9309EE8-097A-4DC7-AF03-0FE0C294BDC9_1024x1024.jpg?v=1652896595)
what's your strategy when shopping at beacons?
i always look at shoes first, because it's the easiest way to elevate a look. i specifically look for comfy ones with some height which are hard to find. then i look at dresses, tops, and bottoms in that order. overall, i like to buy things i know i could sell back at beacons. i try to avoid overly trendy pieces and fast fashion brands and instead go for vintage or designer.