Ever since this post about Clara’s clothes, I’ve actually gotten a surprising amount of requests for a post about how I save money on my own clothes, what my staples are, and how I generally get by without spending a ton of my momdrobe – er, I mean wardrobe. And although I’m hardly a fashion plate (that idea makes me snort-laugh) I do love a deal, so here’s a rundown on how I save money when I’m shopping for myself along with some sneaky sale tricks I’ve learned along the way and a few general dressing rules that seem to work for me (slash keep me from buying stuff I’ll regret/never wear/stare angrily at in my closet).
And I’d love to hear from you guys when it comes to how you score deals and try to resist buying things you don’t need/wear – so please drop in on the comments with all of your wardrobe words of wisdom!
Tip #1: Just ask. About a year ago I found a dress with no price on it at Old Navy. I asked them how much it was and they said it was an online-only return that ended up in their store, and they could sell it to me for 50% off. Just like that, a $30 dress was $15 – plus I could stack another mailer coupon I received on top of that. So worth just asking about it, right? Note: Please pardon this crazy face. I do that sometimes. Gathering all of the pics of myself for this post was beyond awkward.
Tip #2: Organize your clothing coupons. I use this method, which helps me know what I have and use them before they expire. Definitely helps me save some loot.
Tip #3: Know the rules. Many stores have special deals that run for cardholders. For example, you can get 10% off every Tuesday when you use an Old Navy, Gap, or Banana Republic card – on top of any markdowns from other coupons, discounts in the store, etc. I recently spent around $25 at Old Navy to get $65 worth of stuff. How? Well, first I used something they call Super Cash (it’s like Old Navy bucks that they give you after you buy stuff to put towards your next purchase, so I had a $20-off voucher to use if my total was over $50) but I also was shopping on a Tuesday so I got an additional 10% off, plus I was buying one item that was an online-only return, so that was 50% off plus 10% off on top of that! In the end I saved $40 just stacking discounts, shopping on the right day, and remembering to use my Super Cash voucher before it expired.
Tip #4: Figure out your favorite haunts. That’ll help you learn their store/sale policies, and it’ll also save you time since you’ll get to know:
- what sizes work for you in those stores (for faster shopping/fewer returns)
- which cut of jeans you love/wear most (and which ones you don’t so you can avoid them)
- when their end of season sales will be (and what they might have there, based on what you found the previous year, etc)
We’re also huge fans of outlet shopping, so when we go to the beach (usually around Memorial Day and Labor Day) we hit up the outlets where it’s not unusual to get things for 50-70% off. If I were forced at gunpoint to make a list of my favorite haunts, they’d be:
- Gap (great for staples like jeans)
- Old Navy (I usually love their tops)
- Banana Republic (I troll their sale rack for tops, skirts, and dresses)
- Banana Republic Outlet (this is where I grab long-term quality items, like a black trench coat)
- J Crew Outlet (I got a great pair of teal skinny jeans there for $35 thanks to tons of sales)
- DSW (nearly all of my shoes come from there)
- TJ Maxx (they’re awesome for discounted designer bags that last forever)
Tip #5: Don’t water down your wardrobe. I like to look at it as an “overall closet average.” Say I have ten outfits I love love love in my closet. I’d call them all favorites and on a scale of 1-10 I’d score them all a ten. That makes my overall closet average a ten. Then say that I see a sweater I kind of like (let’s say I’d give it a seven). And it’s on sale, so it’s tempting. The way I completely resist grabbing that sweater – which I’m guaranteed to like less than everything else in my closet – is to think of my closet average. Right now my overall closet average is a ten. If I get that sweater and it’s a seven, it’ll bring my entire closet average down, and I can just picture myself choosing other things on my hanging bar over and over again since it wasn’t something that I love love loved from the start. That helps me hold out for things I really truly love and stops me from grabbing anything I probably won’t wear or appreciate as much. Everyone loves a good closet GPA, haha – and it keeps that dreaded closet-clutter at bay (you know, when you have a bunch of stuff, but feel like you have nothing to wear).
Tip #6: Know what works. I’m a whopping 5’2″ – and I have the opposite of a long model-esque neck (it’s short like the rest of me) so I’ve learned that I look best in a v-neck. Somehow it makes me look like I have more of a neck and lengthens me in general, so I’ve learned what works for me.
Knowing that helps, because when I see some high-necked sweater or a boat necked t-shirts, I save myself the time of trying them on (and hating them) and I save myself from any temptation to buy something because it’s a pretty color/print/fabric or has a certain alluring designer name (or seductive sale price) since I know I’ll completely regret the purchase if it doesn’t actually flatter my body type. Heck, even my favorite swim suit has a deep V.
And we can’t forget my purchased-48-hours-before-the-big-day wedding dress.
Tip #7: Think about what you can pair things with. This is sort of like decorating. I try not to grab something that won’t go with anything in my closet, because much like buying something that matches nothing in my house, it would necessitate buying lots of other things to go with it. One great trick I have is to remember a few of my favorite outfits or pairings. For example: a denim pencil skirt + black t-shirt + leopard heels. If I see a pretty red pencil skirt when I’m out, immediately in my head I can think about the black shirt & those leopard shoes and know that it could be subbed in for the denim skirt for a different look with a similar silhouette (which I know I already love).
I try not to be as boring as buying the same things in a bunch of different colors, but I also go back to tip #3 (know what works) and remember that I tend to love a few silhouettes since they’re easy for me to wear and work well with my body type (ex: pencil skirts that aren’t too long for my short legs, skinny jeans, v-neck shirts, etc). Here’s another example of how I might grab something that can work with a variety of things in my closet. Take this coral tank top, that I have under this brown jacket…
Here it is under a black blazer at Haven (thanks for the pic Rhoda!). Little staples like colored tank tops seem to be inexpensive and easy to layer, so they might be less specific than a big patterned sweater or something.
Here’s another one in dark plum. For a girl who wears a ton of black, colorful tanks are a nice low-cost way to add some color in without breaking out in hives. Ooh plum, look at me. I’m a rebel.
Tip #8. Pick quality for things you’ll wear all the time. It adds up to longevity. For example, I’m extremely cheap. But in the purse category, I usually buy one and wear it for 2-3 years. Sometimes even longer. So I’m happy to splurge if it means something will be better made and will last that whole time without looking all murky and disheveled. When I say splurge, I don’t mean $500, I mean something in the $120-180 range. I know, it probably sounds super high to some folks, but I actually think if you figure out your cost per wear on a cheap purse, it might surprise you.
For example, say over three years you buy/wear four $30 purses from Target. That actually works out to the exact same cost as getting one great Michael Kors or Cole Haan bag from TJ Maxx for $120 and wearing that for three solid years (something I’ve done for over a decade now, without any issue of things getting worn out or me getting sick of them- you just have to hold out for something you’re truly obsessed with and that love goes on and on). So I guess it goes back to my whole “don’t water things down” theory (tip #5). I just like to buy one great purse that I’m enamored with and wear the heck outta it. It usually takes me about a year to find “the bag” though, so I don’t rush into anything (a few years is a long enough commitment that I take it super seriously and refuse to settle). And then I take a cell phone pic of it and text it to my BFFs to celebrate my purse victory. Dork for life.
Another example of how I try to go for quality would be with coats. I got this trench for $80 at the Banana Republic Outlet (marked down from $150+) a few years ago, and have worn it like crazy. Spring and fall for at least two years now, and it’s still going strong (no ripped lining, buttons popping off, etc). I used to try getting cheaper jackets at places like Target & Old Navy, but learned that they didn’t last as long, which ended up being more money in the long run, so for things like bags and coats I try to go for quality (but I look for that item in an outlet or discount store like TJ Maxx to try to keep costs down).
Tip #9: Spice things up with accessories. Most of my formative learning-my-style years were spent in NYC (I lived there for six years, through college and those first-job years afterwards) so I definitely have an affinity for the “New York look” (lots of black, a big handbag, long lean jeans, blazers, black sunglasses) but I also have always loved to spice things up in two areas: jewelry and shoes. One of my first pair of fancy pointy toed shoes were a pair of pink Nine West heels that I loved with all of my heart. And I’d pair them with a black blazer and jeans for a little dash of color without feeling too matchy-matchy (which might happen if I paired them with a pink sweater of the exact same color). I also had a pair of lime green Roberto Cavalli sandals that I scored for cheap at Century 21 (an awesome outlet-ish store in downtown Manhattan with a ton of clothes & shoes that are marked waaay down). Still to this day I love wearing a navy or black top with jeans and bright red peep toe heels…
I also love bright earrings, so it’s not unusual to see me in a black shirt, jeans, and some big coral or emerald colored earrings. John got me these guys for Christmas and I love them.
Here’s more dangly earring evidence (this shot is from back in NYC when we first started dating).
And here’s Exhibit C, with even more earring action going on. It’s just a quick way to add some “I’m-trying-a-little” to my usually questionable mom uniform. Haha.
It might not be a perfect equation for everyone (big bold earrings + basic black shirt + skinny jeans + some sort of shoe that works for being a momma but still doesn’t look too frumpy & is occasionally a bright color or print) but that seems to be the sweet spot for me.
Tip #10: Don’t try to make everything the star. I think this is sort of a sister tip to the one above, and it’s also one of those tips that rings true for how we decorate our house. Much like you don’t want every item of furniture and accessory competing for attention (you want some to fall back while others are free to be the focal point), you probably don’t want everything on your body to be vying for attention. It’s why I love slipping on my favorite pair of skinny jeans and a plain black top, just so my big crazy earrings or bright shoes can be the stars.
Another way to interpret this could be that if you have an awesome printed dress, a nude shoe could be a nice way to play it up. And we’ve all heard the “you shouldn’t wear a big statement necklace with big statement earrings” rule, which definitely seems to ring true for me. The way this tip saves me money is if I have an event in mind and I know what dress I’ll be wearing and I’m searching for shoes or jewelry, I can pin down whether the dress will be the star, and if it will I’ll get shoes and jewelry that won’t compete (instead of coming home and trying everything on together and hating the outcome).
Tip #11: Do your own thang. Don’t follow any of my tips word for word since goodness knows I’ve read tons and tons of clothing advice that might ring true for someone else, but is laughably terrible advice for someone like me with my body type. So while I know it’s incredibly clichéd to tell you to embrace who you are and just wear what you like, but at the end of the day, it’s kind of the best advice of all.
And now since someone will ask for it, here’s a pic of me with my hair down. I do it sometimes, but not often, just because I’m a ponytail girl. It helps me keep the paint and the peanut butter and jelly outta my hair. Haha.
Now it’s your turn. Shower me with your tips and tricks when it comes to stocking your closet on the cheap. Where do you save and splurge? I’m sure it’s different for everyone, so I’d love to hear what works for you guys!
Ashley L says
Thank you so much for this post!! I have been having such a hard time trying to figure out what to do about my closet. I finally made the promise to clean it out this week (started already!). Working full time from home, it’s sometimes hard to justify “getting dressed” or tossing out the clothes that are just generic for everyday that I don’t love (Sweatpants anyone?) And I totally sent a dorky MK bag pic when I bought my Hamilton!! LOL :D
Alex says
Where did you get the flow-y top under tip #6? So cute!
YoungHouseLove says
That was from Old Navy on clearance.
xo,
s
Rhiannon says
Closet GPA = Genius! :)
Genevieve says
I agree – that’s not something I’ve heard before but I love that idea…
Esther says
Agreed – it’s the perfect way to keep yourself on track when shopping, I really needed this kind of easy reminder!
Emily says
Amen to splurging on good pieces like coats and bags. I have girlfriends that spend less, and then they have these cheap vinyl bags that are frayed and worn, and my good leather keeps on trucking. Same can be said for furniture. Things you wear all the time and things you sit on everyday should be purchased to last!
Rachel says
I went to an outlet mall to look for a dressy winter coat and came home with a beautiful black Guess button up jacket for $50 (regular was almost $300!). It has these ugly metal studs on the collar and wrists, but after an hour with my pliers they were stud free and beautiful! I love this coat and wear it as much as I can.
YoungHouseLove says
So smart!
xo,
s
Shelley says
OK, I think #5 just changed my life!
Kay says
You have such a lovely style and great tips as well. And we have the same bird shirt! (People always ask if they’re maracas :))
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, people think they’re turkey legs!!
xo,
s
Autumn says
I saw the same print in a toddler dress at old navy and thought of you-Clara could have her own turkey leg dress!!
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoooo!
xo
s
Amy says
I buy almost all of my clothes at the thrift store. We have an awesome one right by our house and I reguarly find practically brand new Gap & Banana Republic Jeans. It’s crazy what people get rid of! I’m a huge fan of buying GAP jeans on Ebay. I know my size and the styles i like and can buy them extra cheap! Every now and then i’ll splurge on something new at H&M, but overall have way too much fun getting amazing deals at the thrift store and no one would ever know!!
YoungHouseLove says
So smart!
xo
s
Shelly says
I used to frequent a thrift store run by the local Junior League because the ladies would donate really fancy stuff. Most of my nice work wardrobe pieces are from there! Suit fabric tends to age much better than knits, so I always look for dressy items in thrift stores!
Alison says
Amy, I was going to say the same thing. Recently I found a removable winter lined coat in perfect condition for twenty dollars. Plus the cost of dry cleaning!
Christy says
Yes! Our three favorite thrifts are organized by size and/or color and style, so they’re easy to look through. I do look for only the brands and styles that I already know are right for me. Also, I wear a tank top & open shirt for quick try-ons. Last week’s best thrifty buy was an LL Bean quilted vest in perfect condition for $2.99. My husband got a Columbia fleece vest with the tags still on it for $5.99.
Carrie says
I bought my daughters WHOLE wardrobe at good will and like thrift stores this year, Incredible savings, and you know what they were NAME brand items, not walmart type junk! I spent maybe $70 when I would have normally spent $200+ I even found me some clothes there!
YoungHouseLove says
Wow!
xo,
s
Christine says
I love these tips! Thanks $herdog! I typically struggle with the not watering down thing. If I see a top I might wear for $3, it can be hard to walk away.
There are lots of fun work outfit ideas on my bloggy blog!
work-it-blog.blogspot.com
Ana says
Sherry this post was super helpful! I’m just starting to focus back on my wardrobe after having two kids and am learning how to pare down and be more selective with my purchases. That and I have a lot less money to spend on myself because I love spending every penny on the little people!
Christine, I checked out your blog and love a lot of your outfits. Consider me a new follower! Thanks!
Jan says
Thanks for the link. You’ve got some great ideas on there!
Anna Lee says
Love your tips! And I have definitely learned from experience that buying better quality goods will make them last in the long run. Also, don’t buy anything that you don’t absolutely love! Also, amazing $5 earrings are highly underrated. I can’t get enough of them.
Judy W. says
I’m with you, A.L. When I was in grad school and didn’t have two cents to rub together, I vowed that I would never buy any clothing item which I didn’t absolutely love. That was 20 years ago, and I still follow that rule-of-thumb. It’s saved me a bundle!
Lesley says
I know you say you are a ponytail girl but you have such beautiful hair you should let it down more.
Alice says
I agree, I’d kill to have natural waves like yours, Sherry!
Maralynn says
It’s great to find an expert who can exaipln things so well
Kari says
Great post! You always have great earrings. Any tips on keeping your earring wardrobe fresh, fun, and thrifty without looking cheap? Do you have any favorite haunts for finding your earrings?
YoungHouseLove says
I like cheap ones from target and old navy and nicer ones from etsy and towneandreese.com.
xo,
s
Emily says
Good tips Sherry! I’m a jeans and dark tops with cute shoes and big earrings kinda girl. Earrings just do so much for an outfit! And I totally agree about the bright tanks! Such an affordable way to add some color! :)
Ashley W says
One of the ways I’ve saved a lot of time and money picking my wardrobe is that I usually stick to my staple: Old Navy t-shirts in a variety of colors paired with a scarf, flared jeans and my converse tennis shoes. I get a lot of different outfits just using this combo. It’s cheap, comfy and the scarf pulls the whole outfit from just jeans and a t-shirt to a little more stylish than that. I’m pretty no fuss with my wardrobe so this works for me. :)
I love your blazers, I’ve worn a lot in my day too! Your purse tip is spot-on too. Most of my purses are Lucky Brand, all-leather and they’ve lasted for years. A little more expensive but well worth it.
Adrienne says
I subscribe to store newsletters — all of them and sometimes with multiple email addresses when they offer a sign up bonus –usually 10% off. (Yes, sneaky!)This way I stay on top of all the latest sales and get all of the discount codes before the promotions begin. I actually have an email address that I only use for this purpose. I sign up for all of my favorite stores and those that carry peices that I dream of but can’t usually justify the cost of…until they announce a sale or promo, of course :)
YoungHouseLove says
Love all the tips everyone! Thanks for sharing.
xo,
s
steph says
I totally appreciate your tips. I am also 5’2, but have no fashion sense. I bought 5 pairs of the same jean in different washes, and am notorious for buying multiple blank t-shirts in different colors and just throwing a cardigan on.
I adore your style & aspire to find my groove!
kelsey says
Honey, I am right with you on this comment. If I was to write one, my comment would be yours. Exactly. I feel ya, girl.
Heather says
I’ve learned to just embrace the repetitiveness! If I find a comfy tank top or t-shirt that I love and fits me well, I go back and buy it in a bunch of colors. Throw in a few patterned blouses and I’m good. I love Old Navy for tops, because I can usually get them for under $5 each. Then I can spend good money on well-fitting bottoms, which always seems to be my tough spot. I pick up jeans from the thrift store only to find that I bought 4 pairs at $6-10 each and only one fits well enough to wear often. If I notice soon enough I can trade for store credit, but if it’s been months I just call it a loss and move on (or salvage the fabric if it’s worth it). If my body would chill out and pick a size, I’d actually bother buying brand new but in the meantime, I make do.
I did pick up a fantastic skirt from JCPenney for $20 thinking it was outrageous for a skirt, but it was so comfy I went back for the only other color they had. And bought a similar item elsewhere in black, just to have two that were the same but slightly different. It points to the benefit of buying well right off, the one from JCP has held up nicely whereas the one from Old Navy is pilling up and I bought that after I wore the JCP skirt for two weeks straight.
Alicia says
I am making my husband read Tip #5, because you put into words exactly how I shop– and it frustrates the heck out of him!! I’ll grab an item when we are in a store and I’ll put it in the cart to “think on it” while we shop. Nine times out of ten, the item goes back, because just don’t love it enough to spend the money on it, even though it ‘spoke’ to me when I walked in! (This is especially true at Outlets where size options are often slim pickins.) I don’t know why it bothers him so much– I always say “You are WELCOME for saving money!!” — most husbands wouldn’t complain about their wives NOT buying something! :)
Sarah M. says
I do the same thing! Also, if I pick out say, 5 items that I love from everything I tried on, but I know I shouldn’t be spending too much $$ at once, I wil force myself to put back 1 or 2 of them. I usually carry all 5 of them out of the dressing room, but then just wander around doing the same “think on it” technique you’re talking about. It helps me buy only what I really love.
Tracie@MiddleClassMod says
I’m with you on thinking expensive(ish) purses are worth it. I have one really nice summer bag and a really nice darker bag for the rest of the year, and they’ve both been in rotation for awhile. Along with TJMaxx I’ve had great luck with consignment stores and Loehmann’s.
I also check out the bags any time I go into a thrift store. I found a navy Marc Jacobs clutch for $10 a few years ago that I use all the time as a going out clutch/wristlet in computer bag and I found a new with tags Michael Kors bag last year for $20, which made a great birthday present for my BFF.
World Market is great for jewelry and scarves.
Shannon says
I love these ideas, especially the closet GPA. :D Something I’m exploring right now is my personal coloring and how to work best with it. On advice of Rachel at Small Notebook I bought the 80’s classic, Color Me Beautiful this week. While the pictures are super cheesy the color advice is solid. I do look better when I’m not trying to wear certain “in” colors that do nothing for me and in some cases make me look downright ill. I’m using that guide as I unpack my clothes (we moved to a new house two weeks ago) to purge stuff that I haven’t work in ages but held on to for whatever reason. Its working really well so far ~ especially as I contemplate what to replace in my wardrobe.
Lindsay says
I think your style is really cute, and as a Mom of a toddler it’s comfortable enough to chase them around, but still cute enough to go out in public. Also, your hair is beautiful! Wish mine could look that good, instead I have this sorta curly- but not the pretty curly hair!
Erika says
This post makes me want to go home and clean out closets!!! I especially like that tip about the “closet average”.
Vanessa says
I love this post! :) I usually splurge on shoes, because I love them and 2, i wear the crap out of them. Tops, not so much. I buy what feels good on the wallet. As for purses, I splurge at least once a year… I’m like you in this department, I wear a purse forever and ever [cheap or non-cheap]. And I’m kind of half and half on jeans. I buy what’s comfortable. But I am also a bargain shopper, and will search search search until I find what feels comfortable on me and the bank account. So mostly all that’s in my closet are very well-loved and picked out items. I don’t work on impulse when it comes to clothes, it has to be necessary, and it has to be the one I want and it has to work. :)
Sara says
I don’t wear black thanks to my buff-colored dog. Her hair gets everywhere. Black is like a magnet asking for it to jump on my clothes! So I try to avoid it at all costs. I like brighter colors and I usually wear pretty plain things and jazz it up with some fun earrings. And I’m a ponytail girl. (Actually I mostly loop it so it’s not hitting me in the back of my neck or back all the time). I never wear my hair down. Never!
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
I worked at Banana Republic about 5 years ago and their discounts for employees were amazing! I still use a leather bag that I got there for 60% off, as well as a wallet. Since I know their policies and what not (they’re all the same company), I also tend to stick to the Gap and Old Navy. The Gap card is totally worth it! They’re constantly having 40% off for cardholders or like, 50% off one item. So my husband and I wait out big purchases (like his favorite jeans) until one comes around. Then you also get those reward coupons for using your card. I once got a wool coat for $6 at the Gap!
JSi says
You are so cute (in a pony tail or with your hair down), and these are great tips. My favorite tips are #8 & 9. Quality pieces and fun accessories can make a mom uniform go from blah to beautiful!
P.S. Century 21 is my fave Manhattan discount destination!! A bit of a circus, but worth the time and effort to find that perfect item!!
Michelle N says
A tip for military veterans. Tons of store will give you a discount even though you aren’t active duty anymore. I was given a discount at Old Navy and Famous Footwear because they saw my USAA card. I didn’t even ask they just did it. They ask if I served and when I say yes they always say “Thank you” that’s always nice to hear. I have learned to ask if a military discount is offered. I have even experienced retail shops and restaurants give a discount just because I’m a veteran even if it’s not offered. It never hurts to ask.
Sara says
I agree with thrift stores I scored a $56 boutique dress that was so nice for $1.50 for my daughter and $4 for a brand new pair of navy blue pants that fit me perfectly which is so hard when you are 5’2! I love the hunt and buying thrift forces me to buy it only if I love it and makes me not feel bad about searching only for name brand!
Mary says
Your hair looks so pretty down! Did you curl it or is it natural? I agree with the v-necks, too. I am even shorter than you 5’1″ and look awful in crew neck. Great post! Also, you should shop at LOFT…they have killer sales.
YoungHouseLove says
It has a natural wave with a complete love of frizzing up immediately. Haha.
xo,
s
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
Yes Loft is my current fav! They’ve had two 50% off THE ENTIRE STORE sales that I remember in the past 3 months or so, plus a great clearance rack!
Randa says
I love LOFT, especially the clearance racks! So does my sis, who gets their petite size stuff (she’s 5’0″). LOFT and Banana are two places she knows will consistently work for her, size-wise.
Karen F says
almost my entire wardrobe is from LOFT!
Ali A says
I think also under a “know yourself” category is learn how you like to shop. For instance, i have absolutely no patience to dig through a TJ Maxx. Whenever i go, i just waste an hour and leave frustrated. So, i’ve stopped. I prefer stores like Banana or Ann Taylor, so i just wait until they have big sales or i have coupons.
You look fabulous with your hair down. You have beautiful hair!
Ashley says
I love tip 5. I’ll have to keep that in mind. I’m a big time goodwill/thrift store shopper! I also occasionally do the savvy coupon shopping at all the stores you mentioned if I’m looking for some specific basics but otherwise I just love the thrill of hunting for like new(or often brand new with tags!) items at thrift stores. It’s amazing what you can find.
Kate says
Do you have a Kohl’s? I just had my first experience there and I fell in love with it! My boyfriend and I needed some new digs…he had a 30% off coupon and everything was on sale. We scored about $550 worth of clothes for $160!!! Winning!
YoungHouseLove says
Love all the tips guys!
xo,
s
Lizzy says
Kohl’s is good… but don’t get too suckered into their scheme. Their “regular” prices are WAYYYYYY jacked up. A sundress for a 3-year-old there will be “regular” priced at $70. No one is paying $70 for a little girl sundress. They jack up the prices and then give you all kinds of “discounts”…. still a good deal….
Kate says
I agree, Lizzy…their regular prices are WAY too high. No way I’m paying $36.00 for a thin blouse(I am so cheap!) With the discounts, I got it for $10. I can handle that! I just like how you can use the discounts on clearance items as well.
Jas says
Team Ponytail!! I haven’t worn my hair down (in public) in over a year, just hate it when it’s in my face.
I love your tips! I’ve cleaned out my closet twice this summer already, but it’s still way too full, I just can’t bear parting with some of the items.
Christie says
Love the GPA tip! :)
Maureen says
I save money buy rarely buying clothes at all. lol But, when I do, Old Navy usually can get me some cute tops on the cheap, and maybe this is very uncool, but my jeans, which fit great and have the perfect length for my 5’3″ frame, are from K-Mart of all places. $19.99 a pair. I will never buy another pair of pricey/too long jeans ever again!
Julia says
One of my biggest wardrobe challenges is just keeping my collection small and simple – I tend to hoard clothes and buy buy buy and end up not wearing a lot of it (and ending up with that whole closet-full-of-nothing syndrome). So I go through my clothes at least once a season (like when I pack up last season’s clothes to put in storage and unpack the next season).. it’s been a challenge, but I try to follow the rule that if I didn’t wear it ONCE during the entire last season, I toss it (well, donate it). It’s hard because that little voice in the back of your head always pipes up saying (but you MIGHT wear it in the FUTURE!), but I’ve worked hard to ignore it and downsize. Lately, instead of heading straight to Goodwill, I’ve let my friends paw through my bags of giveaways, and seeing their joy over their new finds and seeing them put good use to my once-forgotten and neglected items brings a smile to my face every time (as long as I can resist the urge to yank something cute out of their hands and scream “NEVERMIND, I WANT TO KEEP IT AFTER ALL!”). :)
Sabrina says
I found myself in the mom slump. Buying only clothes from like walmart or super clearance at Old Navy. Nothing lasts! I am slowly getting out of the mom slump and find great deals online and at thrift stores. I got the same JCrew sweater I have been coveting at a local thrift store for $11!!!! Now just to get my hair did!I love your casual yet chic look. I am in love with shoes but can’t wear the ones I wore in High School. Need to find cute flats. I totally dressed like Cher from Clueless in HS. How the hell did I walk in those shoes and tiny skirts? lol
Jyotsna says
Loved tip#5, a very succinct way to keep a well edited closet. Thank you so much! Might just have to put that tip up in the closet to remind myself :-)
Jenny says
I’m small and have trouble finding my size, especially in pants.
I’ve learned to shop at stores that have a full spectrum of sizes, so if I find that the store doesn’t stock the smaller range of adult sizes, I can check out the teens section and often find something that will fit. H&M and Gap/Old Navy are particularly good for this. On the flip side, I completely stopped shopping at J Crew. They just don’t carry anything that fits well. And I haven’t quite kicked the habit of looking through certain catalogs (Athleta, Title 9) even though I know I shouldn’t because even their smallest sizes inevitably lead to returns.
Jennifer Harrup says
I’m laughing about someone forcing you at gunpoint to make a list of your favorite clothing stores, this would be the same crook that stole Carrie’s Manolo Blahnick’s in SATC. “Give me the manolos and tell me your favorite clothing stores or I’ll blow your brains out! And if you don’t tell me where you got that amazing handbag I’ll take the little girl too!”
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha!
xo,
s
Catherine @ DCCL says
I think Sherry is right on, but I wanted to share a disappointing discovery I made via Real Simple about some outlets: Many brands have started making a separate, cheaper line for their outlet stores. I believe this is true for Banana Republic and J.Crew, which I find really disappointing. If a company is going to put their tag on an item, I expect it to be of the same caliber as the items in their regular stores–maybe last season or not as popular, but still of the same quality. That’s often not the case. Obviously there are exceptions (Sherry’s trench, for example, and a few items in my own closet), but many outlet purchases don’t last nearly as long as their brethren from normal stores. Fortunately, you can often tell just by touching the fabric. If it feels cheaper than the company’s normal stuff, it probably is.
(Here’s the RS piece if you’re interested: http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/money/saving/outlet-shopping-tips-00000000055688/page3.html)
And here’s a more positive tip for people in the general Richmond area: Take a day trip to Lynchburg for one of J. Crew’s warehouse sales (they happen monthly, I think). That’s where every single online return and sample goes (for Madewell too, by the way), so you’re actually getting current, quality stuff. (Though I suppose their online outlet returns must go there too…) Be prepared to wait in line for more than an hour, to rifle through boxes of merchandise that’s not organized by size or style, to inspect for damage, and to not have a fitting room. But in my experience, the rewards are often worth it. You can find cashmere sweaters that usually go for $250+ for < $30, pants for $15, embellished tees for $8 and so on. I went a bunch of times when I lived in Richmond and scored some great stuff.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes! I have found that looking at the labels and tags can tip you off if they’re cheaper outlet lines or the real normal ones with normal labels/tags. The Banana Outlet line is labeled so I skip on by :)
xo,
s
Heather says
I’ve found this to be true too- the local Lane Bryant outlet store seems to use up the fabric from their regular line (or just what they could get cheap) in season-inappropriate ways. Think flannel skirts with ruffles in the summer or gauzy jackets in the winter. Some stores are good about this, some are definitely NOT! It pays to be choosy. I love the Closet GPA tip- that’s one I hadn’t heard before. I’m always preaching cost-per-wear and I think the GPA idea carries that a step further. Great post Sher-dog!
Christine says
Last Factory outlet shop: Spent $40 for a total of $240 worth of goodies. (two sunnies, jeans, denim shorts, denim skirt, silk scarf… I swear a got a few other items, but that’s all I remember :? ) All of which I use, so it was an actual bargin!
The hardest part was walking away from a $1,020 silk dress that was marked down to $80. I have no where to wear it, and it didn’t flatter me.
I’m tall with a normalish build, except I’ve always carried my weight on my tummy- 30kgs heavier then when I was a teenager, but my thighs and butt are still nearly the same size… I find short dresses with a waist + tights work- the dress flatters my tummy, and the tights stop my outfit from being indecent. Skinny jeans under the dress (which becomes a tunic on my long frame) works well, as long as dresses cover the top. If I wear skinny jeans and a t shirt…. urgh!
I can’t wear teired skirts because of how I put weight on, but I can wear less bulky wrap around skirts.
I think the hardest part is letting go of fashion trends… tuning out what the must have item is for this season, or what everyone else is wearing on a night out, ie platform high heels might be all the rage, but they don’t suit anything I own, and I’m too tall for them anyway! A lower heel actually suits my legs better. They look nicer, but not like I’m trying to make them look amazing…
Shelly says
I love the concept of not watering down your wardrobe! I think I can take it a step forward too- be willing to fix things you love when they break!
It’s not hard to learn how to do a little basic mending and button sewing and it will add a lot to the life of your favorite pieces. (It’s also great in terms of men’s shirts as well- sometimes the cleaner’s shatters the buttons on my husband’s shirts, but it’s no big deal just to replace a broken button if you know how!)
I also take my damaged shoes and bags to a cobbler. It’s surprisingly cheap to fix your favorite pieces instead of replacing them.
Melissa Gray says
I definitely splurge on items that I think will last forever. Since I work in finance and have to wear slacks everyday I do buy nice pants and blazers. However, I have been wearing the same ones for the past 7 years! And when I say nice, I mean Ann Taylor clearance slacks, so I probably paid $60 for them. I also save up gift cards to Nordstrom and then hit up the Nordstrom Rack store and stock up on items for half price. All of my casual t-shirts come from Target clearance racks or hand me downs from my mom (she has REALLY nice taste and tends to buy nice stuff so it lasts forever!)
Melissa Gray says
Oh and what makes me even happier, is that my clothes still fit after 2 kids, so staying in shape means saving $$!!
Stefanie says
$1 Rule all the way! If I won’t wear it at least once for every dollar it costs, it doesn’t come home with me. Exceptions of course being special occasion items. I’m definitely a math person so I love your closet GPA rule too – will definitely be employing that one in the future. Great post!
1008hollywalkpark says
Oh yeah, price per wear is a good rule. I generally buy my regular brands from eBay so my price per wear is minimal.
I’m definately guilty of watering down my wardrobe down though oops.
Ash says
Richmond has a couple of consignment gems. I’ve found great items at Indigo Avenue, Clementine’s, and the Goodwill in Carytown. And, I’m 5’0″, so it is possible to find petite items. It takes more time, but its fun like thrifting for furniture!
Anne Taite says
I love Clementime – I really like how small the shop is so you can do a quick stop-in anytime while in Carytown without taking too much time!
Julie says
How do you get Old Navy coupons? I usually order online when they send out coupon codes.
YoungHouseLove says
I’m on their mailing list and have the credit card so we get lots in the mail.
xo,
s
Brenda says
I’ve found that for me it’s about basic bottoms and colored tops. I own a few pairs of colored corduroys, but I get tired of wearing neutral colors on top pretty quickly. I also organize my closet by color. It helps me find what I’m looking for more quickly and I’m less likely to forget I own a particular shirt. I also know that I usually get too hot in heavy sweaters, even on the coldest winter day, so I do my best to walk on by sweater displays. As for jewelry, I almost never wear anything besides earrings. I love earrings, and they don’t get tangled in my hair like necklaces do.
erin says
Dangly earrings are the best and you rock ’em!
Speaking of looking good, (this is the best segway I’ve got), how do you clean your area rugs besides vacuuming? I’m like you in that I don’t like to use harsh shampoos/chemicals, so I was wondering if this is something you do yourselves with a homemade solution or do you hire a company? I’m RVA local, so any recommendations would be great.
YoungHouseLove says
We just vacuum them and shake them outside if they’re woven. Anyone have tips?
xo,
s
Sarah says
In the spirit of “always ask” it’s worth asking about discounts if you’re military or a military dependent. Many stores offer them, but nobody advertizes them. While it varies store to store, our local Old Navy offers 10% off to military once a week, Shoe Carnival always offers a discount, Dicks Sporting Goods sometimes does, and Lowes and Home Depot always do. That’s just the start of a very long list! We combine that 10% discount with gift cards purchased for anywhere from 5-15% off on cardpool.com for places we shop regularly like the hardware store. An automatic 20% off everytime (before sales or coupons) is pretty nice!