Notice this: nowadays, people don’t boast about how much they spent on a clothing item. What they boast about now is how little they bought it for! Enter the era of smart buying, where being wise about spending your money is practically a survival skill. If you’re new to being a recessionista, here are some great tips that would help you when buying bargain clothes:
Know where (and when) to hunt. The first thing you have to know would be where to shop for low-priced clothes. One of your major options would be the major shopping and retail store sales. Be updated on when shopping stores hold their sales – usually during national holidays, end-of-season and other special occasions. Outside of sale season, retail stores usually have racks of discounted items at the back of their store. Make sure to browse through these as well.
Another option for you is to go to discount stores such as Target, TJ Maxx, and Marshall’s. You could also go to factory outlets (also known as outlet stores) that offer slightly-flawed items at a huge discount. Also, if you’re out grocery shopping at a major grocery store, take the time to check out their clothing department – you’d probably be surprised at the affordable basics you’d be able to score there..
Plan ahead. Buy summer outfits during the winter, and fall outfits during springtime – you’d get much lower prices this way (it’s like buying Christmas decorations on January 2). Be sure to read on tips and guidelines for storing clothes. If you plan properly and maintain your clothes well, you’d be able to shop for clothes purely during sale season.
Do quality check. If you buy clothes at reduced discounts, it won’t do you any good if you come home and find that it has an unwashable stain at its hemline. That’s why it’s a smart move to check on your merchandise to see if it’s still in good condition before you buy it. Things to look out for: rips, smears, dirt, loose threads, and broken seams. Check if it can still be repaired, and approach the sales people and inquire if you can get the product at a bigger discount if it has some minor and repairable damages.
Learn some basic clothes repairs. Buying at consignment shops and thrift stores is a great idea (you’d be surprised at the fashion treasure you’d find), but do expect to make a little bit of repair here and there. Check the merchandise (see number 2) for tears and missing buttons, and see if you can easily mend it with your sewing skills.
Scour the Internet. Many times, popular clothing brands offer clearance sales available only in their websites. Take the time to visit their site, and click on pages titled, “Clearance Sale” and “Discounts”. Make sure also to hunt for printable coupons that you could present at shops.
Do your homework. Take the time to look at your closet and examine your wardrobe. First, it’s a good idea to strategize: the pieces you pick up should look good on one or two other pieces you already own (that’s why it’s a good idea to buy classic pieces in solid colors that look good on you – they’re easier to mix and match). Plus, this may be a wake-up call to you as to how many things you already own. Think about this: do you really need another scarf? After all, the best tip for bargain shopping is knowing when to stop buying.
There you have it! These are just some helpful tips to keep in mind when you’re looking to bargain shop for clothes. Good luck!
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