Fashions change from year to year, but the one thing that doesn’t change is the cost. Clothes are becoming more expensive than ever. But at a time when it is critical that we save money, this is one area in which we can effectively do so – without giving up fashion sense.
Consignment shops offer individuals the opportunity to buy brand-name clothing for less. You can be assured the clothes are good quality because these shops only take new or used (worn one time) clothing. The label on the clothing is also required.
In fact, you can sell your own clothing with these shops and earn a commission. This is another way of saving on clothing costs.
But one of the most intelligent ways of saving money on clothing is an idea that has been around for ages: Buy one or two outfits and add an assortment of accessories to change the look of the outfit. Stick to colors that can be worn year round.
Remember to always have that one basic black outfit! You can accessorize it in a variety of ways and no one would know it’s the same outfit.
For those who have a closet full of clothes, it may not be necessary to buy any new clothes at all if you have maintained the ones you have well. This, in and of itself, can save you quite a bit of money.
Take care of your clothes by changing into sweats when you come home from work, hanging them up as soon as you take them off, taking care of any stains that may occur, and storing winter and summer clothes appropriately. If at all possible, purchase clothing that doesn’t require dry cleaning. That’s a huge chunk of change in savings right there.
You may also wish to swap clothing with your friends. This is becoming quite popular online as well. There is a website where you can swap children’s clothing as they grow out of them. Imagine the savings there!
When you initially buy clothes, look for quality; that is, clothes that will last a long time. Resist impulse buying. Just supplement your clothing with those things you need, not desire.
Looking good doesn’t require that you spend a fortune on clothes. If you are creative and have that confident air about you, people will not be looking at your clothes, but at you.
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You left out secondhand and thrift stores. If, as your color and brand-name suggestions imply, you’re catering to a fashion-conscious crowd, I might see why. But you’d be surprised at what you can find in a secondhand store.
Don’t just settle for the Salvation Army, either; look in the Yellow Pages to find a host of local organizations. In my two-city area alone, there are secondhand clothes stores run by the Council of the Blind, Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and various hospitals and family shelters.
My personal favorite is The Attic (a hospital charity). They carry beautiful, undamaged clothes and many other interesting things, including books, furniture, and even computer equipment (my dad has bought three different working 17″ CRT monitors from them for $10 each!). Yes, most of the clothes are a little old-fashioned (most of the donaters are older people), but there’s still a considerable selection of almost brand-new clothes.
Other than a t-shirt or two, I’ve never bought clothes new in my life. I was raised on secondhand and can’t imagine spending more than $5 on an item of clothing unless it’s very special (such as an elaborate dress). I also take care of my clothes (as you mention in your article). As such, I don’t even budget for clothes each month; I spend perhaps $30 a year keeping my wardrobe lively. I walk into the mall and see beautiful clothes, but then I look at the price tag and walk away disgusted. I’ll never be able to buy a brand-new wedding dress (three months’ pay for a dress I’ll wear once?).
The one failing in this is finding clothes that fit. I’m a size XS or smaller; even in most clothing stores, the apologetic salespeople usually suggest I look in the children’s section. At an expensive retail store (JC Penney, for example), I could custom-order clothes to fit me (and I might have to soon, if I want a business outfit that isn’t so baggy). For now, though, I just keep an eye open at the secondhand shops.