Last month I shared a ton of outfits and while most were comprised of pieces I already owned, as someone who follows a ton of bloggers, I know how easy it can be to get caught up in the idea that you need to revamp your entire wardrobe every season. The number of times I’ve considered outrageously priced things because it seemed like every blogger and their sister had them is too many to count. Today I’m taking a break from advertising new clothes and sharing some ways to build your wardrobe without breaking the bank. Here are 5 ways to shop smarter.
Follow The Rule of Three – My best friend Ava is my go-to shopping buddy because she is filled with wisdom like this rule. It’s something I try to use every time I shop and it will definitely make you a smarter shopper. The basic idea is if something you’re looking at already has three adjectives in common with something you already own, you don’t buy it. So let’s say I wanted black suede slip-on sneakers, but already had another pair, I shouldn’t buy them. Same can go for clothes – if I have already have one brown suede Moto jacket, do I really need another, even if it is a different shade of brown? Probably not.
Cross-Check Before Buying – Sometimes stores offer better discounts and sometimes online does. It can be hard to tell if it’s a place you haven’t shopped before, but with your favorite stores you should always know where you can get a better deal. Bloomingdales and DSW are two of my favorites and I always feel like I get better deals in stores so I almost never go online, but with Nordstrom’s price match I always check there before buying in store. In addition, a lot of stores offer 10% off your first order if you join their email list!
Evaluate Your Wardrobe and Fill in Gaps – I always feel like I have nothing to wear, but I realized not too long ago that the bigger problem was I lacked simple, classic, casual pieces. I had a lot of fun, statement pieces in my wardrobe, but if I wanted to wear a cute t-shirt, jeans and a cardigan to class I felt like I couldn’t find the pieces I was hoping for. Before you go on any big shopping trip, look at what you already have and see what you still need. Go for classic pieces that you can wear with a ton of outfits you already own. Some great examples are good black pumps, brown riding boots, a nice cashmere or cable knit sweater, and a good leather jacket.
Use Your Student Discount – Plenty of stores offer in-person student discounts so always be sure to ask if they offer one! J.Crew does and I take advantage of it every single time I shop there. Not all places will but it never hurts to ask.
“How Much Would I Pay for This?” – Last but not least is one more tip courtesy of Ava. Before you look at the price tag, decide how much you would pay for that item. Whether you do it before you try it on or after you see how it fits, try to avoid looking at the number until you decide how much it’s worth to you!
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