I really need to stop reading.
Anyways, now that it is October and fall is in full swing, I have already begun to scour stores for sweaters, scarves, and boots. Sweater weather has truly begun! A year or two ago, it would have been really easy for me to go out, find a thousand warm and cuddly items and snatch them up without too much hesitation. But then I discovered thrift shopping.
It's changed me. I can't go to the mall because I'll see a pair of shoes that retail for 50$, but I've seen at Goodwill for 4$.
Also, my dad has told me before that I should "never pay retail". That saying has stuck with me, so I'm going to compile a few ways for you to be able to shop smartly!
If you know me at all, you'll know that thrifting is one of my favorite past times. I love hunting through the racks and coming out with a treasure. It's also nice because I know that since the item is older, and most people are shopping at the mall, I won't own all of the same things that others do. Thrifting and consigning are smart because if you are willing to put in the time to search for particular objects, you'll save a lot of money. If you prefer knowing that all of your items are in perfect condition and brand name, then consigning is probably more your speed. And if you are consigning clothes, an easy way to do this is online, through thredup.com. If you sign up for thredUP through this link ( http://www.thredup.com/r/UGEAJC), you'll get 10$ credit to try it out!
2. Stay Focused
Going to the store can sometimes be hard, or at least it is for me. Target is the best example of this. You know how you'll go in either for one thing or "just to walk around", and you end up with a cart full of things you never knew you needed? This is why you should know exactly what you're going in for. If you have a goal, then you'll be less likely to hoard random clothing items in the back of your closet as a result of impulse buying.
3. Bring a Friend Shopping
Why? a. It's funner! (yes, I am 100% aware that is not a real word) b. It's really nice to have a second opinion on things. A friend can convince you not to buy those jeans (because they really do make you look fat) or it can go the other way, and they can talk you into purchasing something (because that color just looks so fabulous on you). c. You know all of those sales where it's something like "Buy 1, Get 1 Half Off" but you only want one thing and it would be a complete waste not to buy the second thing? A friend can get one thing, you can get the other, and the two of you can split the total cost, making it cheaper for both of you!
4. Know the Sales
You see them advertised on Facebook and Instagram all the time. Just keep a list in your head of where is having the best sales. For example: Nordstrom Rack is doing an extra 25% off any clearance item for the next few days. American Eagle is having a buy one, get one half off sale in addition to a 15$ off of a 75$ purchase. Target was doing 25% off any apparel a few days ago.
5. Join Email/Texting Subscriptions
A lot of stores have deals where if you text them or email them, joining their "club", you'll get a percentage off your next purchase. The best part is, you can sign up, make your purchase, and cancel email/text subscriptions. Payless Footwear does this and so does H&M.
6. Make Sure It Is Useful
I'm sure all of you have once bought something, worn/used it once, then realized that it's just not your thing. Before purchasing a clothing item, I like to make sure I'll use it at least in three different ways so it's worth the money. "Three- it's a magic number. Yes it is. It's a magic number." -Jack Johnson. Y'all know that song? No? Awkward.
7. Fad or Classic?
I'm thinking of something my future husband once said... "Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months." -Oscar Wilde. I have a thing for Oscar Wilde and his many clever quotes. I mean, he has a point. Things go in and out of style so often, that most of the time, it's not worth buying into. I like to determine whether what I am buying is a staple piece, something that will never go out of style (ex: jeans!) or if it's a fad piece (ex: kimonos). That doesn't mean I don't buy those fad pieces, but it does mean that I am willing to spend more on classic pieces than on fashionable pieces since most likely I won't be wearing it in six months.
8. Online Shopping is the Bomb Dot Com (see what I did there?!)
But seriously. You can be in your pajamas and fuzzy socks and the world is none the wiser. Also, there are several coupons on sites such as Retail Me Not so you can save in that way, or you can use ebates, which gives you a small percentage back of each purchase. It's also nice because you can compare prices at different sites or check to see if the item you want can be found cheaper on eBay or Craigslist. But obviously the best part is having the ability to not wear pants.