My Fashion for Less Tips
September 20th, 2011When buying brand new clothing at a department store becomes too expensive then it’s time to find alternative sources where you can find fashion for less. I have found four different places where I can find shoes, purses, articles of clothing and jewelry for less money than department stores. A few of these sources may not be appealing to everyone but they are good for finding some great bargains when it comes to shopping for clothes and accessories. While it’s true that these items have been used by someone else, they are still in good condition and indeed, a good way to acquire fashion for less.
People donate or throw away clothes before they have reached the end of their useful life for several reasons. The clothes are too big, too small or they are no longer in fashion for the original owner. The first user has many choices for disposal of the clothing, shoes or purse. They can take it to a consignment shop, thrift shop, have a garage sale or they can throw it away.
Where can you get fashion for less?
Consignment shops are at the top of the list of great places to find fashion for less. Most consignment shops will only accept items that have not been previously stained or damaged. The proprietor of the shop will sell the item for a fraction of the original cost. Some items still have the original price tags and have never been worn. Perhaps, the original owner is an impulse shopper and no longer has room in their closet for clothes they will never wear. Consignment shops have an added bonus for the seller. The seller will earn a portion of the profit when their item is sold.
Consignment shops are usually owned by private individuals so they tend to be smaller in inventory than thrift stores. The selection at the consignment shop is a little more higher-end than a thrift store. If I need to find a dress for a cocktail party or a business suit for an important meeting at a price I can mange, then the consignment shop is the place to go.
The thrift store is a fantastic place to find name brand, fashionable clothing for even less than a consignment shop. Most thrift stores have everything – casual everyday wear to business office professional. Large volume thrift stores have blouses, pants, skirts, T-shirts, shorts, dresses, sportswear, nightgowns, pajamas and even bathing suits. They have dress shoes, sneakers, casual shoes and sandals. They have big purses, little purses, name brand purses and sometimes even day planners.
Like consignment shops, thrift stores price items to sell. They need to keep the inventory moving – starting with the back door where it came in to the front door where it goes out with a happy consumer. On certain days of the week, the prices are cut even more for unbeatable bargains. All of my fashion needs are met for less at the thrift store because they have accessories like watches, rings, bracelets and necklaces. Most of the time, if the items are not successfully sold at a garage sale or an estate sale, they are donated to the thrift store.
Garage sale: A place to find fashion for less
Image via Wikipedia
Garage sales are a beloved American pastime. They are a great venue to socially connect with surrounding neighbors and complete strangers, and they are a great source for finding fashion for less. The awareness of being able to sell and buy good clothing articles at a garage sale has risen for both the seller and the buyer. The seller takes the time to fold and organize the clothing according to size and style. Sometimes, they hang them on hangers for easier viewing. The buyer sees the care the seller has taken to present the items and has a good idea that the seller has taken care of these clothes even when they were first purchased.
Even though garage sales are third on the list of great places to find my fashion for less, they are no less worthy of recognition for quality and price. Where else can someone buy a very stylish blazer for $1 or a pair of shoes for $2? Putting together a stylish outfit derived out of someone else’s closet is nothing of which to be ashamed!
Estate sales hold a little less appeal for finding my fashion for less. In most cases, the estate sale is being held to disperse the accumulated goods of a person that has passed on. The prices are very reasonable but the sadness is a little overwhelming. Finding my fashion for less at an estate sale requires an eye for detail because the articles of clothing may not be age appropriate. If that’s the case, then it’s best to look for jewelry and casual footwear such as sneakers. Estate sale prices are usually comparable to garage sale prices. In either case, it just takes a little extra time and effort to sort through all of the items for sale to find great fashions at a great price.
The best time to have access to the complete selection of clothing is at the beginning of the estate sale. The best time to go for reduced prices is in the waning hours of the estate sale. The sellers want everything sold so the prices are drastically reduced. Second-hand clothes can be purchased at very reasonable prices and will complement any wardrobe if the selection is right.
Keeping up with fashion trends can be very costly because the trends come and go so quickly. My fashion for less requires a little more work at finding style and quality for a lower price that will fit my budget. The department stores have bargain racks for seasonal clothes that don’t sell. The prices are marked down but not as much as in a consignment shop or thrift store. It is much more gratifying to go to one store and buy five to 10 items for $20.00 than it is to go to one store and buy 1 item for $20.00. Finding my fashion for less makes good sense for my wallet and my closet.
October 17th, 2011 at 1:03 am
[...] that’s for another time. If there is anyone out there who is able to write a comprehensive fashion article to guide people on how to look their best without breaking the bank, even if the said ‘bank’ is [...]