Learning how to shop, is not a problem for rocket scientist to solve, but for female fashion lovers alike shopping smart seems to be a problem we all possess. Is it the impulse buy, or the gotta have it style that we love? Do we take to our fashion like we take to everything else, fast and with our heart? For me the answer is all the above.
I love fashion, but die for a good bargain or a great sale. I find myself falling for quantity over quality daily and love coming home with bags upon bags of fun stuff, only to find 80% of my clothes and accessories sitting years later with tag in-tack. The gluttony of female fashion enthusiast seems to be a trait we all possess. What seems good, only seems good under the mirage of store Florescent lights, and by the time we get home beautiful buys become basic bunches of stuff.
Recently after a new move, I have decided to intervention my old hoarding fashion ways. That is when I read a great article about bargain shopping "The Bargain Hunters Guide to Style" an article by Anna Holmes in an antique 2007 InStyle I hoarded in my home. In the article Holmes discusses how dressing well does not have to mean mazing out credit cards. She asked experts how to look chic for less, and gives the secrets for million dollars style at a fraction of the cost... Can you say YES PLEASE!
How to shop? This is the question on all female fashion minds. We know what we want, but have no idea how to create the look without the high price tag or if you are like me, you go overboard when it comes to shopping and loose site of the look you are searching for. So when do we splurge?
Stylist agree, that we should spend cash on shoes, handbags and coats. Thank goodness too, because I know those are some of my favorite things to break the bank on. Great accessories take inexpensive clothes to the next level and make $50 dollars purchases look like million dollar looks. Plus, a great jacket, perfect leather handbag and beautifully crafted heels will last a lifetime. Consider these buys an Investment!
Planning your wardrobe can keep you focused when you shop. In past YouTube videos, I have briefly
discussed closet preparation for the season ahead. By pairing items together that you already own, you can easily determine what it is you need. Going to the mall for one specific thing, is better on the wallet than going crazy girl buck wild in the stores with no plan or focus. To save money, decide which pieces you need before hand, so you can not only shop sales but also look for great can not live without pieces. "You can avoid having a closet full of stuff you only wear once," says Kate Young. Young's right, why have piles and piles of stuff you only want to wear one time and never look at again? The answer... YOU DON'T! I want a closet that is filled with things I love and can not live without, this is something you can only have if you carefully select the pieces that belong to your wardrobe.
Why buy beautiful fakes that will tarnish and fade with each wear? Instead, when is comes to timeless jewelry selections like gold earrings, or great genuine stone jewelry or a great pearl necklace, it is not a bad things to spend and splurge a little more. These are pieces you will have and wear for years and years. For more trendy colorful accessories try to find deals, things that you may only wear a handful of times are not worth spending big bucks. For these... Hit up trendy stores within your mall or shopping center.
Do not religiously follow the trends, do not loose yourself in fashion let the fashions loose themselves on you. Part of personal style is that it is unique to you. Do not be afraid to try new things even if they aren't what everyone is wearing. Your closet should be filled with 70% classics and only 30% trends. Runway looks are easily duplicated, but make them your own. Finding your own flare while touching on trends of the moment is less expensive and more likely to be worn into the next season. Basics can be found in staple stores like Express, Gap, Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren and JCREW.
- THRIFTY NIFTY
Consignment stores are the best places to find fabulous vintage blazers and bags. I love finding 90's leather bags for $10 or a great tuxedo blazer for $2, and the best part is... One stop in the local cleaners or tailor and these pieces are good as new. If you do not know which designers to look for, try doing your research before a big consignment crawl, locating designers from past decades.
In order to decide if something is worth the high price, think about the cost per wear. If you see a dress you love, divide the price by the number of times you will wear it. Be honest with yourself, this will let you see if it is worth the wear. Even if it is only $5, if you do not wear it...you have just wasted $5
Finally
The smart shopper knows how to make a look turn heads, pair investment pieces that cost a little more and last a lot longer, with affordable pieces to create the perfect look. Great Handbags and Shoes got perfectly with simple dresses, tops and skirts. Jazz them up with jewelry for your perfect style looks.
These are a few tips I found to helpful in the bargain hunt. Keep them in mind, for you next shopping trip and do not forget to check out my YOUTUBE videos discussing closet purge and piece selection for the season to come. Remember to think of shopping as a treasure hunt, live for the diamond in the rough and be patient to find it. Focus is key to finding things you can not live without. Window shop regularly, even if you so not need anything being a store regular will keep you abreast on new styles, sales and can miss pieces.
This as been Shopping 101... Thanks for stoping in, feel free to stick around and read some more..
J.Cultura - Be apart of the culture!
I love fashion, but die for a good bargain or a great sale. I find myself falling for quantity over quality daily and love coming home with bags upon bags of fun stuff, only to find 80% of my clothes and accessories sitting years later with tag in-tack. The gluttony of female fashion enthusiast seems to be a trait we all possess. What seems good, only seems good under the mirage of store Florescent lights, and by the time we get home beautiful buys become basic bunches of stuff.
