STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

I don't quite understand #2 - Buy classics I get, but I'm not exactly clear on this part: "If youre a slave to trends, many retailers have less expensive versions that will do the job." So does this mean a slave to trends is advised to buy less expensive but still classic styles?

May I add a weird tip? Try not to gain or lose weight when you're cutting back on your clothing budget!

I'm sure everyone has heard the term "recessionista," but I head a new one today..."couponista." I'm sue there are other terms waiting to be invented..."unemployista," "povertista..."

Boots wrote:

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Great Stitch!

One tip I have is to check out estate sales near you. Sometimes you can find some really interesting accessories & jewelery for cheap.

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ITA, and garage/yard/moving sales are also worth a try. my friend recently bought a ring for $.50 and found out later it is 14k gold!

 

Agree! Great stitch!
I shop like #2 already... I buy mostly classics but if I want to try a trend I go for the cheap f21 or target version.
Although, at this point in my life I mostly update my wardrobe with accessories (shoes, jewelry, scarves, etc.). I've always been kind of an accessory junkie though.


Great score on those rings ladies!

I have been so sick of the "shop your closet" mantra, but when I recently did the wardrobe inventory (as posted in the other thread), I *finally* did exactly that. And I learned what gaps really were in my wardrobe - pants, for one, flat shoes, for another - and have set about correcting those omissions. I filled in three missing items (budget-consciously, of course) and the items I no longer wear or use are going to the consignment shop ASAP.

I don't really worry about buying trends at all. I tend to wear a lot of classic items anyway, and have fun with my accessories to spice things up. So if say, "bright shoes" are a trend, I buy 'em because I like bright shoes and will wear them even if they're not on trend later on. Same with other accessories - I have been wearing statement necklaces for years, wore chandelier earrings on a regular basis (and still do) long before they were all the rage a few years ago, just to name a couple of examples.

I find that buying what I love, and wearing it when I want to because I love it, not because it's the "in" thing to do, keeps my spending reasonable.

I also (window) shop at stores, and then come home and shop online. Ebay can be great for shoes that are a season or two old. I just set up a watch list and get emails when something I'm looking for is listed. I might have to wait a while (waited 2 years for the a DVF to come up in the right size, right price), but I don't mind. Also with shoes, I find out the style name at a store and then come home and Google that. It's amazing how many shoes (I'm talking mid-range shoes here, nothing like Loubs or anything) will be discounted online. For example, I just won an auction for Frye boots for $56. They retailed (about three or four seasons ago) for $230.

Great stitch; thanks D and Deb!

-- Edited by atlgirl on Thursday 27th of August 2009 10:33:47 PM