It's no secret the economy isn't doing well, and eventually, we might all need to find ways to start saving money. Your clothing budget might very well be the next casualty of the downturn, but with these simple tips you can still keep looking your best.
1. Start washing your socks. I know, it sounds arduous, and there's no substitute for the feeling and cushioning of a brand new pair of socks. But we're trying to save money here.
2. Examine tags before you buy--and not just to make sure it's not a knock off. You'll find the prices listed on those tags. Hint: if you're trying to save money, lower is better.
3. Look for racks marked "Sale" or "Clearance." Apparently stores lower prices on some merchandise. Warning: this is often merchandise that hasn't sold or has been on the floor for a while, so it might not be au current. Maybe you can show off your budget instead.
4. Consider purchasing pants or skirts in neutral colors such as black or tan. That way you can utilize them in more than one outfit. Do you really need more than two pairs of mustard yellow skinny jeans, and four pairs of red leather hot pants?
5. Consider washing your existing wardrobe on a "gentle" cycle rather than beating your clothes against rocks to clean them. That way you can make your current wardrobe last longer. Of course, if the tag says "Dry Clean Only," don't even think about washing that sweater at home. You will save money in the long run taking your clothes for costly dry cleanings.
6. Remember that "sale" doesn't mean, "Whip out that credit card and go crazy!" Just because a store is running 10% off doesn't mean you should run in and grab up everything you can find. Save this behavior for sales of at least 30% or more.
7. Try shopping at a thrift store. No, really. Goodwill isn't just for dropping off last season's leavings. You might actually find something you would wear to the gym or while bathing your dog. If you're lucky.
8. Approach strangers shopping in your favorite stores who appear to be the same size as you. Step 1: survey the things they've picked out to try on, and make sure you're a fashion match. Step 2: ask them their clothing size. Step 3: ask them their address. Step 4: offer them the things you were going to give to Goodwill in exchange for the run of their closet. But when you do this, don't say "the things I was going to give to Goodwill." Call it a "fun clothing swap." (You could do this with friends, but then they would know you got your clothes for free, and who wants to wear their friends' offal?)
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