Saving When Buying Clothing
Clothing is among the basic needs of man. However, clothing has become more than just a need for protection from the elements. It has become a statement of self and personality, culture and style.
However, clothing trends change frequently. They change as frequently as the seasons do. If you’re going to keep up with every trend that comes along, you may end up spending more than you originally planned.
It doesn’t matter if you go with a lesser known brand or with a famous designer brand. Purchasing clothing, accessories and shoes can eat a lot of money in your budget if you do it constantly. You have to find a balance between your shopping frenzy and your budget. Otherwise, you go into the red.
Plan your wardrobe. Include your family’s wardrobe in the planning. Make sure that your clothes coordinate with each other. Don’t buy a top that won’t match with anything you already have. It will only mean the purchase of another pair of bottoms. Instead, learn to mix and match your clothes and accessorize so that they look different each time.
Take care of your clothes. With proper care, your clothes can last longer. Too frequent washing can cause clothes to fade more quickly and thus, look old faster.
Learn to sew. You don’t have to be able to sew like a dressmaker can. You do need to learn to sew back a button that’s been ripped off or a very slight tear. Patch holes with a fancy looking applique.
Dry your clothes on the line as much as possible. Dryers can put much greater wear and tear on your clothes. If you want your clothes to last longer, especially those that are stretchy, dry them on the line. You also use less energy this way. You save money on clothes and on your energy bill.
Check the outlet stores and malls. They carry branded items but sell them at fabulous discounts. You may find your favorite brands there and save a lot of money.
Buy clothes that you can use for various occasions. Don’t get stuck with clothes that you can only use once. That would be a waste of money. Why not borrow instead? Or rent? You should plan your wardrobe carefully so that the money you spend on clothes goes a little farther.
Buy during sales. End of season sales often offer shoppers a lot of items that are heavily discounted. Retailers want these off their shelves to make room for the new season that’s coming in. To move the old stock quickly, they will give the clothes at bargain basement prices usually.
Buy second hand. If you haven’t tried doing this before, you should now. You can get clothes that are still in very good condition at a fraction of the price. You can even find designer brands!
All in all, you can save a lot of money on clothes if you plan your wardrobe properly, shop carefully and learn to accessorize imaginatively.
