we might just be getting into the swing of this now, but i want to attack some of the questions that you beloved readers have had!
q: i would really like to know where are best places to shop and what is the best amount of money to spend and on what (you know, a good price for a shirt, good price for shoes etc.)?
many thanks - brianna
a: already girl, i am no professional shopper, but i can give you a few suggestions. like many of you, i am on a budget. also, like many of you, i have expensive taste. with that said i get all the catalogs in the mail to that stores that i wish i could shop at exclusively {j.crew, anthropologie, urban outfitters}. after drooling over all the wonderful outfits, i run back through again and dogear each page that i would like to recreate within my own wardrobe. from there i filter through my own closet to see what i already have and write a list of things that i need to recreate the outfit that i love. i keep this list in my purse and whenever i go thrift shopping or run to the mall i attempt to find that item that i need at a cheaper price. (PICTURE)
TIP: just like they say dont go to the grocery store hungry or without a list {you will end up spending more money and buying things that you dont need} the same goes for shopping for clothes. because of your own personal style and taste you are commonly drawn to the same items and because of this you may own pants that are all the same cut, wash or style. in order to switch it up and recreate those outfits that you want to, keep that list near you when you go shopping and you can focus on what you are there to buy. this way you will spend less on things that you dont need, make sure that you purchase those things that you really want and also broaden your existing wardrobe in a way that works for you. ALSO, if you do not like or want to get catalogs use websites like
frugal fashionista for modern inspiration.
as far as how much you should expect to spend - i am kind of a frugalista, but here are the rules that i try to live by.
1 - i love jeans. they are the staple in my wardrobe so this is what i allow myself to spend the most money on. {whatever
your staple is, shoes or skirts, make sure that you are spending your money
here because your staple is what gets worn the most in your closet} this does in no way mean that i spend my entire paycheck on my jeans, but i have made a resolve to not spend over $100 per pair of jeans. this is easy - shop places like nordstrom rack, or the sale section of anthropologie {online is best there} and you will make sure that you are getting the most bang for your buck.
2 - shoes in my opinion are an accessory, so unless we are talking running shoes, toms or a dang nice pair of heels that will match every outfit you wear for the next three years, i refuse to spend anything over $30. you can get really great, designer brand shoes at ross, tjmaxx or nordstrom rack for a
very reasonable price.
3 - since jeans are my staple, i need to make sure that my tops are diverse and that i have a lot to choose from. however, since i feel like i need a lot of them i need to also make sure that i am getting the best deal on them. honestly, i dont think that i have purchased a full price shirt {even from target} since possibly ever. it not worth it to me. and being the bargain shopper that i am i know that everything i look at will, at one point, go on sale. my rule here is, never spend over $20 per item. so i suggest shopping at plato's closet, savers, old navy, target, j.crew, anthro and forever21 for shirts.
dont forget - dont eliminate sizes that are too big if those are the ones available on sale, a little snip here and a little sewing there you can make that shirt fit right to your body!
