| Budget Shopping |
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| Some tips while shopping |
1. Consider a shopping trip for "research."
Instead of going out to buy everything in one fell swoop, make sure that you know what you need to get. Shopping locally can allow you to budget some time to sneak around the shops and see where you can grab the best pieces-- and plan your attack.
2. Stop by your friend's for inspiration.
Do you have a supremely stylish friend? Swing by her place to see hoe she organizes her closet and puts things together to create an ensemble. Taking a page from a real woman's book can be more beneficial than styling yourself from magazines.
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3. Shop for quality items and budget basics.
Everyone out there is pro-quality, and don't get me wrong-- so am I! However, I can save a bundle by buying cheaper, well-made items that I know I'll be wearing day in and day out, like a-shirts and tees.
4. Balance out the sale and full-price pieces.
Avoid buying things just because they are on sale. If you love a pair of full-price jeans, get those if you know you'll be wearing them often. A sale item that's never worn can actually turn out to be expensive if you consider the cost-per-wear expense.
5. You don't always need to shop off season.
You can save if you buy winter clothes in the wrong season, but if your style or look will change, it's best to back off this technique and buy what you know you like.
6. Repeat after me: need, not want.
Don't be tempted by gorgeous, full-price items that aren't basics. If you never considered buying the item before, you won't miss it if you don't buy it. Satiate yourself by buying a basic if you must shop.
7. Base your choices off of a core color palette.
Instead of buying items wily-nilly, base your wardrobe around a key palette such as neutrals, cocoa brown, or black |
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| Budget Fashion |
Fashion is one thing, but budget fashion is another thing:
1. Know what looks good on you. Just because it looks great in a magazine doesn’t mean it will look great on you. Be honest with yourself about your body. It will save you time and money.
2. Know the names of sales associates. Sales associates are a great source of information on upcoming sales and have access to Friends and Family coupons, which offer up to an additional 25% off store merchandise. Some might even let you use their employee discounts.
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3. Leave the debit and credit cards at home. I have a friend, who shall remain nameless, who views paying for purchases with plastic cards as not spending “real” money. Paying with cash gives you an instant visual indication of how much you’re spending.
4. Head to the outlet malls. Shopping at the outlets of your favorite stores and designers can save you a bundle. Some of my favorites are the Chelsea Premium Outlet Malls, Off Fifth (the Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet), the St. John Knit Outlet, the Donna Karan Outlet, and the Last Call Neiman Marcus Outlet.
5. Remember the 70/30 rule. Fashionistas with limited budgets should follow the 70/30 rule: 70% of your closet should be classic pieces, 30% trendy pieces. Go as cheap as possible on trendy items because they have a short closet lifespan; purchase these pieces at stores like H&M, Target, Forever 21, Wet Seal, Asos.com, Zara, Bluefly, Urban Outfitters, etc. Go designer on classic pieces like black suits (Tahari, Donna Karan), coats (Burberry, Max Mara), evening (Armani, Tim and Linda Platt, Carmen Marc Valvo) and purses (Coach, Longchamp, Marc Jacobs |
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