Jane Seaman – AICI FLC
Image is important. It reflects who we are. It tells our story. Maintaining a high standard of image can also come at a high price, so here are my top ten quick tips on how to shop well on a budget:
- We often have a tendency of focusing only on the price of an item, which often leads to purchases based upon “wow, this is so cheap“, versus “wow, I’ll get so much wear out of this“. The price of an item just reflects its price; it does not reflect its value. We should base the true value of an item on how much we will actually wear it! Try practicing the cost per wear formula; it’s a simple equation, just divide the cost of the item by the number of times you’ll wear it in any given period. For instance: a $100 shirt worn 20 times has a cost per wear of $5.
- Shopping at mall outlets of your favorite stores and designers can save you a bundle. Houston has a good selection to choose from: Katy Mills, Houston Premium Outlets and the new Harwin Outlet Mall.
- Remember the 70/30 rule: 70 per cent of your closet should be classic pieces, 30 per cent trendy pieces. Invest as much as you can afford on your classic pieces as these form the foundation of your closet collection. Don’t make big investments for the 30% trendy pieces that keep your closet collection current, as these items have a short closet life span.
- When purchasing your classic pieces such as slacks, skirts, blazers or dresses, remember that this type of style will endure for a long time and can be paired with many other items and this is key to extending your closet collection. Choose grey, black, brown, blue and taupe colors for these items, and then add some great sweaters and cardigans finished with leather shoes.
- 5. Purchase clothing out of season. Attempt to get to your department store at the time when clothing and accessories are marked down considerably. Look for 50 to 80 per cent off fashions. The downside is that you may not get the best selection, but you can get some great deals anyway.
- Beware of the “buy 2 get one 1/2 off ” price advertisements. While this may seem like a good deal, just ask yourself whether or not you need two items? If the answer is no, then you are not really getting a deal.
- Buy only what you really like. There is a tendency when bargain shopping, to buy clothing just because it has been marked down considerably. This is not smart shopping.
- Copy it. If it’s designer clothing you like, you can dress in style without breaking the bank. There are online shops that offer copies for much less. Try to find low cost versions of designer clothes in department stores or online. All you really need is a genuine look-a-like to be in style.
- Try before you buy: Even if you are buying an item for $5 as opposed to $100, you still need to ensure a proper fit. Often when we buy at bargain prices, we are not concerned about fit because we somehow think that if it doesn’t fit there is no great loss. However, a sensible shopper should also count the cost of buying unwanted clothing that is not the right fit, color and style.
- Pay a visit to the wonderful variety of consignment stores Houston has to offer. You’ll be amazed at the high standard of barely used clothing items you’ll find at great prices. To find a consignment store near you check out www.resalehouston.com that lists consignment stores by type and zip code.
You probably know any number of people who you admire for their fashion sense and style in clothes. Perhaps you have wondered how it is possible for them to dress so fashionable all the time? You may think they spend a lot of money on clothing until you find out that they are avid bargain hunters with an eye for style.
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If you are still searching for help with shopping, I invite you to visit my image consulting services at http://www.imagineconsultancy.com.
