In a time when social media can play a huge part in fashion trends and what’s hot, it’s important that we maintain our style but watch our pennies at the same time. Speaking for myself, I know that I can’t go out and spend $500.00 on a pair of jeans or drop $1200.00 on a designer purse, but I do aim at finding trendy clothing and designer merchandise at a fraction of the cost. There are a few specific techniques that I use to shop for trendy and stylish clothing on a budget.
Know when to shop
Knowing when to shop is important. Most of us opt to shop on the weekends because that’s when we have the most available free time. Although the weekends are more convenient, it is best to shop during the week. Most retailers restock stores with new merchandise on Wednesday’s but it can vary throughout the week. This is especially important if you like to shop at discount outlets. Don’t be afraid to ask retail workers questions such as when do you restock merchandise and is this item going on sale soon? Most store clerks will be happy to share this information with you. If you decide to shop at 2pm on Saturday afternoon you will most likely get picked over merchandise or find that all the cute stuff is gone in your size.
The clearance section
This is my favorite section of any store! Who doesn’t like 30 to 50% off the original retail price? When shopping on the clearance section it’s important to have a good sense of what you have in your closet. We are immediately enticed by that black butterfly sleeve blouse that’s been marked down to $9.99, but take a moment to think about your purchase. If you have 5 black blouses in your closet already, why do you need another one? Instead take that $10.00 and buy something from the clearance section that you don’t already own. Because in the end, a 5th black blouse will probably end up hanging in your closet collecting dust. This is a waste of money! You would be more inclined to wear something you don’t already own.
Discount Outlets/Stores
I ‘m a Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Ross fanatic but I also realize that I live in the big city. The local stores are always crowded with picked over merchandise. So I shop my suburban stores because they have a better selection, cleaner stores, and I can shop without having people bump into me with their shopping carts. I’m also a frequent VIP member of the premium outlets! The outlets should have a store named after me or at least put my name up in neon lights. Outlet malls can pack plenty of deals, especially if you’re looking for designer merchandise. I can’t tell you the last time I spent over $100.00 on a Coach Bag. When making a trip to the outlets go early and check out the malls website for special sales that each store may have.
The Internet
The internet can save you money if you know how to shop. When I see items that interest me, I Google it to see who else is selling it. I especially use this technique if the online merchant has to charge me sales tax. I look for retailers who offer me free shipping and no sales tax. I also shop late at night because I seem to find the best deals on websites like Macys. Last weekend, I purchased 2 sweater dresses, a pair of leggings, an adorable shirt, and a coat from Macys at 4am in the morning; total cost $62.50 with tax and shipping. The same sweater dress I purchased is now marked back up to $64.00; I paid $5.99 for it! Excellent shopping haul at 4am, the only time insonmia pays off
Don’t rule out eBay, eBay can also pack quite a few bargains on new merchandise. If you like certain stores it is beneficial to sign up for their mailing list. Most retailers will send you a coupon just for signing up which is normally in the 20 to 25% off range. Follow your favorite retailers on Facebook and Twitter so that you can be alerted of specific sales. Sample Sale websites are packing huge savings; sign up for websites like Ruelala, Hautelook, Beyond the Rack, and Ideeli who constantly has great bargains on designer merchandise. Last Sunday, Ruelala had their weekly Sunday Night Stylathon that featured Juicy Couture purses for $39.99. If you don’t want your e-mail flooded with advertisements and sales announcements, sign up for a free e-mail account and uses it specifically for that purpose.
Style is not about wearing expensive designer clothing; style is about wearing what makes you feel confident and comfortable. How can anyone feel confident wearing a $500 designer outfit with no money left? Whether your style is trendy, boho, chic, or rocker, you can find clothing that makes you feel absolutely fabulous while keeping money in your pocket. Looking like a million bucks and saving money is a win/win situation in my book.
Budget tip: I’ve read many tips on shopping where the author states “set a budget” but neglects to give you tips on how to do just that. When shopping on a pre-set budget, leave the debit/credit cards at home and shop with cash. Once the cash is gone, your shopping stops, therefore keeping you on budget. You will make wiser choices about your spending if you have limited cash with you and no easy access to the credit cards.
