Shopping Smart (and Cheap)

By Missy Ann Wilmoth

Finding things that you love while shopping can be a nightmare. Some days I refuse to go shopping even though I need to because I don’t have the energy to face the problems that come along with it. But it needn’t be that way. There are a few effortless tricks that can make retail hunting a whole lot easier, more affordable, and more fun!

Be a perfectionist.
I realize that in any other instance this would be a terrible idea, but in the shopping world perfectionism is the one thing standing between you and a lot of things you’ll never wear again. Try it on. Unless it fits perfectly and makes you look slim and fantastic, forget it. This way you can make your closet a sanctuary for perfect fits. Everything you own should flatter you. Don’t assume you can fix a stain or a tear. Know that you have appropriate undergarments for the item. Don’t buy a slightly small size and promise yourself you’ll lose weight. Be hard on your potential wardrobe. Find something that makes you look hot without any effort on your part. This way you can be confident in whatever you happen to throw on.

Shield your eyes until you get to the back of the store.
Clearance racks are always at the back of the store. This is a strategic move on the part of the company to encourage you to browse through regular priced items before getting to the sale items. Don’t get sucked in. You can find excellent items on sale, and you don’t need to pay full price when you can look fabulous for half off.

Know what you came for in advance. Scan. Don’t browse.
As mentioned before, browsing can lead to meaningless and non-specific purchases. If you look up what style you want before going shopping, you can expedite the process. Choose your color and style at home, and then scan the racks for something that meets your expectations when you get there. If you do want to browse, memorize the colors that look best on you. Then scan only in those colors. This will save you from buying something that you “mostly:” like.

Versatility is key.
It should be versatile enough that you can wear it with more than one thing. If you get too specific, you’ll hardly ever wear the thing. You want something that can be worn in many different contexts. If you’re buying zebra print pants, make sure that you know places you can wear them often. We all have outfits in our closets that we adore but never wear. Save yourself the pain of having to stare at your favorites and skip to the practical stuff.

Stay strong.
Don’t let friends or salespeople talk you into anything. This can be especially hard with friends. Just remember that the most important thing is that you feel good about the way you look. If you disagree with someone’s opinion, do not buy! You will regret it. Salespeople are trained to attempt to talk you into buying things you may not really want or need. If you feel pressured, leave the store. It’s your money. You have the right to spend it as you see fit. This isn’t high school. You shouldn’t have to endure peer pressure.

Rebel with a bargain hunt.
Never pay full price. You can find fashion gems for less. Stores like Ross, T.J. Maxx, and Marshalls have the market cornered on the discount designer shoes racket. And some excellent find can be found at outlet stores. Online, SmartBargains.com and Overstock.com are great places to get designer names for less.

Buy used, but buy carefully.
The only worry about buying secondhand is that you won’t notice an imperfection before purchasing. Make sure you survey every inch before you head to the cash register. Although, if you are going to buy something imperfect, it is best to do so at these kind of prices. Some stores have a half price day. Look into it. Be sure to check out the blue jeans. I buy all of my blue jeans at the thrift store. Often I buy designer labels. It only takes a bit of patience to find a treasure among the rest. Don’t forget to bring cash. Many places don’t accept credit cards.

Dump the excess.
Once you’re started your mission to exclusively stock your wardrobe with exquisite pieces, it’s time to clear out the Goodwill are eager to turn your leftovers into something special for those less fortunate. Your neighborhood might also have a local Freecycle community for getting rid of unwanted items. Don’t keep those out of date and ill fitting items hoping that one day you’ll be able to get into them. Find the stuff that makes you feel and look great today!