Shopping Tips
Top Five Budget Shopping Tips: The Budget Fashionista’s 5th Anniversary
Fashion is one thing, but budget fashion is another, which of course is the premise TBF is based on. Kathryn knows whereof she speaks, and has long (five years to be exact) doled out practical advice for shopping without breaking the bank. Her top five budget shopping tips:
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.
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).
Want more? Click here for more of Kathryn’s top budget shopping tips . . .
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Budget Shopping Tips
Know what looks good on you. This is the essence of a true fashionista. 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.
Get to know the names of sales associates. Sales associates are a great source for information on upcoming sales. They might even let you use their employee discount - as happened to me once at The Gap.
Pay for everything with cash. This way, the satisfaction of the purchase will last longer than your next credit-card bill.
Head to the outlets. Shopping at the outlets of your favorite stores and designers can save you a bundle. Some of my favorites are Off Fifth, the Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet; the St. John Knit Outlet; the Donna Karan Outlet; and the Last Call Neiman Marcus Outlet.
The 70/30 rule. Fashionistas with limited budgets should follow the 70/30 rule: 70 percent classic pieces, 30 percent trendy pieces. And go cheap on trendy items.You can purchase such pieces at stores like H&M, Target , Zara, Bluefly, Urban Outfitters, etc. Go designer on classic pieces like black suits (Tahari), coats (Burberry, Max Mara), evening (Armani) and purses (Coach, Longchamp).
Recycle fashion. Pay a visit to your mother and/or grandmother. While you’re there, offer to “help” clean out their closets. You’ll be amazed at the goodies you’ll find. While visiting my grandma in Milwaukee, I discovered a vintage Coach saddle bag, dating from around 1960, in mint condition amid a box of old magazines. If you are unable to visit a relative’s closet, try having a clothing swap party with your friends. Ask everyone to bring unwanted, high-quality clothing to exchange for similar items from other party-goers.
Learn where and when to buy. July/August and late January/February are the best times to hit the stores for deals. Write down the names of your favorite stores, go to their Web sites, and register to receive coupons, special invitations and notifications of new products. Outlet stores are also great sources of designer goods.
Write a list. Making a shopping list will help you stay focused on the task at hand.
Locate the nearest thrift store. Thrift stores are great for quality inexpensive coats.
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