Planning a Wardrobe on a Budget
Are you on a strict style budget? Don’t fret; planning a wardrobe on a budget is not impossible. With the following tips and tricks, you will be strutting your (half price) stuff down the sidewalk in no time.
Most people know that they are on some sort of clothing budget, but the first step to planning a wardrobe on a budget is to figure out, exactly, how much you have to spend each month. Once you have decided upon a dollar amount, stick to it. Then, you will have to go through your current wardrobe and figure out which pieces you need to toss; which ones you need to keep; and which ones you are lacking altogether. Make a list of what you have and what you need before you head to those retail shops.
Now, you may be thinking – retail? How can I afford retail prices? Relax. Retail does not necessarily mean “overly priced.” Still, you have to know where to look. Rather than grabbing the first thing that catches your eye, head directly to the back of the store and look on the bargain rack. Stores set up their sale racks in the back in order to tempt you as you saunter through the store – avoid this temptation. After you reach the sales rack, grab everything you can that’s your size and head to the dressing room.
Even if you think that you will not like a piece of clothing, try it on. Next, separate the clothes that fit you into two piles: “must have” and “could live without.” After you tabulate the amount that you will spend for those “must haves,” figure out whether or not these threads are worth your hard earned money. If they are, purchase them and head for the closest thrift shop. Planning a wardrobe on a budget may require a bit of sly maneuvering on your part ...
When you reach the thrift shop, don’t be put off by those awful fluorescent lights and bad mirrors. Instead, head towards the section of the store that you seek (remember that earlier list of things your wardrobe is lacking?). Search the racks for basic colors; classic lines; and simple styles. Try not to purchase things based upon the label, and look for those items that will really round out your wardrobe instead. Finally, you are ready to head home and re-assess your closet.
Organize your closet according to clothing type (tops, bottoms ...), and re-write that list of things that you need to acquire. If you go through this process every month, you will soon find that you have more clothes than ever before. Planning a wardrobe on a budget is really easy to do, just follow these steps and remember to look for those sale prices.