Taking a cue from Moschino, I have dedicated this post to my strategy of tactful spending resulting in cute clothes. (And shoes!) After being tipped off that my postings sound like I spend quite a bit on shoes and other various items, I decided to spill the beans and tell the world how my bank account/shopping relationship works.
1. LOOK FOR DEALS! Quite obviously, I look for discounts, browse sale racks, take advantage of promotional codes etc. For example, Nordstrom Rack has the cutest stuff straight from Nordstrom with super marked down prices. While shopping online, before I purchase anything, I google promotional codes for the website I'm ordering from, and usually I can get free shipping or some sort of discount. Vintage and consignment shops are great too. I found the fiercest pair of black peep toe pumps with a stacked heel for only 9 dollars. 9 dollars! It was fabulous. Another alternative is to shop at retailers that offer low prices ALL THE TIME! Such as Payless and Forever 21. Seriously, my $22.80 homecoming dress was such a steal, and adorable, too!
2. Ask yourself if you really love it. To me, asking myself if I really need something is quite out of the question. I'm sure I don't need any more clothing, but of course I love to add to my closet. So for me, the question I ask while shopping is "Do I really love this? Am I dieing to wear this? Will this be something I can wear again and again?" If I'm even the slightest bit iffy about something, I don't buy it. This way, my closet stays full of only things I'm smitten about. And this question also helps picking out outfits pretty slick.
3. Indulge in things that are good investments! Of course, I love to purcahse some things that will last me for years and years, but may be a bit more pricey. For example, I spent close to $100 on a pair of True Religion jeans at Nordstrom Rack (they we're on sale from $228!). Although I love jeans, I try not to spend this much on them when I buy them as frequently as I do. These True Religions are soooo comfortable and the fabric is really high quality, and they fit like a dream. I know they will hold up for a looong time. Another thing I splurged on was an LBD for prom last year. I got it at BCBG so it was a bit (a lot) pricey, but I believe that all women should own at least one classic little black dress, yes? It's timeless, and I've already gotten good use out of it when I've only had it for about 6 months. A go-to, use all the time, lots of space bag is also a good thing to spend money on. I.e., my Coach bag I will buy soon!! I know I will use it alll the time, which makes me okay with the fact I'll be shelling out a few hundred for it. Case in point: splurge on things you know you will wear again and again and again and again and, well, you get the idea...
4. Think about what other items you have in your closet! This rule of mine takes some of the fun out of shopping, but when you're on a budget, it definitely helps. I try to buy clothes all in the same color family, so I can mix and match and get great use out of everything. I own tons of blacks and charcoals, so I always ask myself, "Will this match with the things I already own?" Of course, I do buy the occasional brightly colored top, but I try to keep things similar. This also makes packing for trips a breeze.
5. Keep your head up, and look for oppurtunities! Good things come to those who wait, I promise. For example, my dad won this gorgeous BCBG Max Azria watch in a raffle of some sort, and gave it to me. It's absolutely beautiful, and definitely would have been out of my price range. I treasure it! Also, my friend Jose gave me an insane pair of Juicy earrings for my birthday. A few posts ago, I showed a scarf my friend got for my in Spain, that I simply adore. It's those sorts of little gifts and tid bits that really contribute to your wardrobe, and will help add the finishing touches!
These are the main ways I keep my wallet full while still finding the occasion to indulge in some new wardrobe additions. Shopping is fun, but not always practical, so I like to keep these pointers in mind. It's helped me score some good deals, splurge a bit, and still look chic while on a budget. :)
Hoping to find time to get some shoe features up soon!
xxx
Sarah
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Interesting to hear of your shopping philosophy and how it works for you. My favorite shopping adventures were in New York, around 14th Street where Klein's had their huge loft literally stuffed with clothes on pipe racks. Most of the clientele spoke Yiddish, and as there were no fitting rooms, they just disrobed and tried it on. Lurking among all the shopworn, defective stuff where some of the prettiest clothes I ever had, and also cheap! I think you could consider a major in clothes shopping!
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Nice post!! You are not only marvelous but smart too!!
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