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!
Jenna says
I’m a bit puzzled. Is this post specific to being a mom? You mention that a ton of times – your momdrobe, your mom uniform, etc. (Does John dress differently as a parent as well?)
YoungHouseLove says
I definitely don’t wear certain things that are less kid friendly. There’s always the threat of jelly on your shirt! Haha. No more white.
xo,
s
Tania says
I agree with Sherry. I have given up nearly everything that requires drycleaning! I am also more focused on comfort now that I am hauling kid + diaper bag everywhere, so I’ve switched over to cute ballet flats rather than heels.
Thais Bessa says
Very cool and useful post! Now you done Clara’s closet and Sherry’s closet, we need John’s closet. Although it might come with one single rule: soda t-shirts! :)
Looking these photos I thought you have a gorgeous smile, so here is a suggestion of question for the blog anniversary video (if you don’t find it too personal): what do you think to be the best physical feature of each other?
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a fun question!
xo,
s
Carolyn says
My biggest tip is shopping out of season. It’s hard to feel like buying tanks and shorts at the end of August, or a big winter coat in March/April, but you can really save!
I think I do a good job at only buying what I love, but my problem comes when stuff starts to get old and I transfer it to my “painting,” “sleeping,” or “camping” pile instead of getting rid of it. I still wear it, but how many sleeping options does a girl really need? Haha …
Andrea says
Love your tips :) Thanks for sharing!!
I used to be an H&M girl (right now I’m wearing H&M trousers, shirt, socks, underwear LOL) but I recently came up with two new rules: 1) Invest OR 2) Buy second hand
I usually don’t spend more than 100€ per month on clothing, bags and accessories. That means, following my new rules, I can either buy one or max. two pieces OR splurge at Oxfam and similar second hand shops. I quite like it so far.
My most favourite brand/ online shop atm is peopletree.co.uk
It’s organic clothing or clothing made from recycled fabric like Saris, it’s not made by children who work 16h per day for $30 per month. I love it ;)
Sorry for babbling, I love your Kendra Scott earrings SO much :)
Chelsea @ Chelsea Eats Treats says
Great tips!! And thank you for showing us what you look like with your hair down hahaha I always secretly wondered
Chelsea says
My biggest fashion tip I learned over the years is to not buy an item on the sales rack if I wouldn’t pay full price for it. I feel like im getting a good deal so I buy it, but then later when I clean out my closet, all those “good deal” items are always the first to go because I was never in love with them.
Nadia says
Amen to that!!! I love cleaning out my closet and getting rid of stuff, but at the same time, it makes me mad that I bought stuff I’m so willing to give away in the first place!
Tricia says
I have a coupon app on my phone that is super helpful for clothing stores. I can just search for something like “gap” and if there’s a coupon online somewhere, it will pop up! Then the cashier just scans a bar code right from my phone.
Brandi says
What is the name of that coupon app? I want on in that deal!!!
Tricia says
In the Android market, there’s one called The Coupons App and there’s one that’s Best Coupons. I’m sure there’s something similar for iPhone. Just search “coupons”. :)
Jessica says
We are too much alike, $herDog….all of those stores are my go-to stores as well. I use BR a little more than you but I have to buy clothes for the office so that makes sense. We have an amazing outlet mall about 30 minutes away and all of my favorite stores are there so it’s pretty much the only place I shop anymore. lol. I also use the same stores for my little one as you do for Clara. :)
Janelle D says
You have some great ideas Sherry! My secret? Consignment & curated thrift shops. Halifax is lucky to have many of them all packed into a little corner of the city. They have tons of designer goods for cheap! At the curated shops, you also have to do a lot less sifting and searching for things which is great for people who feel clausterphobic at Goodwill. Also, instead of totally taking over your comment section, I’ll save my other tips for a blog post! Haha. Hope you don’t mind that I borrowed your idea.
YoungHouseLove says
Love all the tips everyone!
xo,
s
Erin says
Know your colors! I look best in dark jewel tones (dark teal, plum, burgundy), bright greens and blues, and grays. Knowing this helps me avoid that cute yellow t-shirt or that brown sweater that in the end don’t look right on me! Don’t settle, saying “I think I can make that work”.
Jen says
I also like to wear pretty earrings as the one accessory but another piece I love are scarves!! I like to find comfy shirts on sale at the gap and them pair them with skinny jeans and boots, the plain fitted-t and a pretty scarf. Always a combo that makes me feel confident and even a little stylish :))
Scott says
Will John be giving us an update on where he scores his daddy plaid and t-shirts?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, you never know. Tips on buying soda shirts…
xo,
s
Jennifer says
I love buying kids clothes on clearance at target, but I’m totally with you on spending a little more for better quality items for myself. I know I’m not (hopefully!) going to outgrow it in a season. :) I also love outlet shopping and buying sizes/styles on clearance at shops I know I love – like BR, gap, etc. Good post!
Brittany says
I absolutely love the closet GPA idea! I am guilty of having a closet full of clothes with “nothing to wear”. We’re moving soon and I think I’ll implement this idea! I always made A’s in school so why not my closet? :)
Anna Kristina says
I have a friend at work who puts on clothing swaps about once a season. It’s a free way to try something different, with no guilt if it doesn’t work out.
I love the idea of a closet GPA. I’ve been trying to get rid of the things that water down my closet, and calculating the average is a great way to measure how I’m doing. I’d rather spend $100 on two pieces that are good quality and fit my style than on six pieces that are less than perfect. And people don’t notice that I have a lot less in my rotation – they just see me confident and well dressed (I got a compliment on this just last night!).
Sharon says
At the age of 31 I’ve sorta slowly figured things out like you and buy more expensive staple items, and a lot of my shirts cheaper at Old Navy and Target. I seriously bought an $8 coat for my daughter at Old Navy after asking the price and finding out it was an online only item and normally $34.
Stacy says
I try to upgrade my wardrobe when I can. I have a beautiful white short sleeve button down that I got on sale at Banana Republic for a steal, as well as a pair of khakis and a black sweater. I found out that using a Banana Republic charge card earns more bonus points than an Old Navy or Gap card. I usually try to use my bonus cash on items that are on sale and I find that Banana Republic has 40% off sales fairly regularly. I also find that I like the Gap outlets better than the actual Gap stores and I love Old Navy when it comes to finding scarves, tops and jeans. NY&Co is another of my favorite stores. They also give rewards for using their store credit cards and city cash which I LOVE! They also have great sales – I’ve bought a much coveted LBD for 80% off. And I also love Macy’s. Name brands, designer brands – and you can ALWAYS get a discount. JUST ASK! That’s the best part of that store.
Kate says
From one Gap/TJ Maxx lovin’ girl to another…thanks for sharing, $herdog! I love this post! If you ever find yourself in Minnesota you should definitely hit up “Albertville Premium Outlets”. your mind=blown…wallet=not blown :)
Allison says
I’m a big fan of the “cost per wear” thing, haha!
I have a bunch of stuff I only kinda liked when I bought it… perhaps I’ll try to sell some of it and buy a new blazer or something. Love your look!!
Rachel K says
I am also short and I find that most trends look terrible on me. My general rule is that my clothes have to be fitted and always accentuate my waist or else I look like I’m playing dress up. Your rule about the GPA of your closet is genius, I will definitely start doing that from now on. Sometimes I get all panicky about not having enough selection in my closet, especially when it comes to work clothes, that I buy things that I don’t love – then never wear them. I heard on a style show the other day “The most expensive item of clothing you own is the one you never wear” it’s so true!
Sydnie says
I read Tim Gunn’s “Guide to Style” several years ago, and it taught me that whenever you are tempted by something on sale, you should ask yourself “Would I buy this at full price?” If the answer is no, walk away. That tip has saved me hundreds of times in the last few years.
Jamie says
Did you know that outlets mostly carry merchandise that is made just to be sold at the outlet stores? They use reference pricing to make customers feel as though they are getting a bargain.
YoungHouseLove says
I did know they make some but those have different tags. I look for the real tags and things like trenches that I’ve seen in stores and online so I know they’re not those down-dropped outlet items. Great tip!
xo,
s
Shaundra Coleman says
Great post! My tip is that I buy most of my clothes from the Goodwill…I know crazy right?! It has been something that I have been doing for about two years now. The one by Chesterfield Towne Center and the one on Midlo are my faves! Those two stores ALWAYS have the brands…Gap, Banana, J Crew, etc. They may not have those items that are currently on “trend” but I always shop their for basics. Many times I will find items with the tags still on them. I usually just have them dry cleaned or hand wash. I love it!!
Steph says
I am also a fellow ponytail girl! I have thick hair which can look great down for an occasion, but there is SO much of it it’s so heavy and annoying to have it all down. I also love big earrings and love the look of ponytails and up dos with big flashy earrings.
Isabel says
Hi Sherry,
LOVE your site! So… I am a minimalist (kind of) and for the past five years I am always up for a good clothing swap. It’s the best way to change up your wardrobe for FREEE, something I think you’d appreciate. It’s also fun because my friends who are 5’10 have shrunken shirts that tend to fit someone like me perfectly=). I also tend to depend on delayed gratification. I saw this pair of khakis at Banana outlet for $25 once and after staring at them a lot, didn’t get them. Found them soonafter at a Thrift store for less than 5 buckaroos!!! Awesome. Thanks for your entertaining and idea blasting blog. Love it.
Isabel
Whitney says
LOVE the yellow front door in one of these pics. (Dont even think it’s your current home- oh well) by any chance do you remember the color and/or brand?? I REALLY want to paint our back door on my screened-in porch yellow, In love with that accent color right now!!! Thank you in advance:)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes that’s Full Sun by Valspar. It’s our current house:)
xo,
s
Whitney says
Awesome!!!! So excited :) wish I could share some before and after pis with you!! Can not wait to see this color in person!
Misty says
Wow! So nice and different to see your hair down! I love!
I always splurge on jeans, Im a denim girl! I have a few pairs of Seven for all Mankind and R&R’s in my closet! But I try to go a cheaper on the trendy tops! No point in spending all your pennies on a trend that will only be different next year! But those jeans – I’ll wear and wear and wear!
Karen F says
Great post! Especially because I’m about to clean out my closet and dresser :) I love the closet GPA idea!
Jill says
My grandma always taught me never to wear an outfit that could be repeated within two weeks. So I thought that meant buy a crap ton of clothes and spend a small fortune.. Then she added on to the lesson by buying standard wardrobe pieces, but style it up or down with accessories. I don’t feel like I ever look at my closet anymore and feel like I have nothing to wear to work the next day.. She also said a working gal (her words not mine, makes me giggle all the time) needs to lay out her clothes the night before and I have done that too forever!
JK says
Love the tips. I have similar issues (I’m 5’1″ with a small frame) and am not super girly, but hate looking monotonous. After working for Gap (at Old Navy) in college, I’ve learned what is and isn’t quality from there and what will last.
Quick little tip, too. On the inside of a lot of brands (GAP, Target, AE, etc.), sewn in with the care info tag is a small tag with the items SKU and the season and year is was made (Spring 2012 would be SPR 12 or 02 12). It helps to know how long you’ve owned something, especially basics that may all look the same.
BTW, I think the bold accessories, bag, and shoes thing is also a Jersey thing and not even just from living NY. Haha. I grew up in North Jersey and now live in South just outside of Philly and I still kept that same style cause it’s so prominent down here, too. & I still get made fun of for saying draw, bagel, and water! Ha.
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha, so funny!
xo,
s
Sarah says
I have never heard of Closet GPA but you seriously just changed my entire school of thought when it comes to shopping and cleaning out my closet!
I like to look good but hate paying high prices. Target and Old Navy are staples for me. I also love the sale rack at Gap, TJ Maxx and Marshalls. I have a pair of straight leg jeans from Wal-Mart that I got for $13 (Regular price, NOT sale price!). For those who hate Wal-Mart (like I used to) you might want to check them out again. I’ve had my jeans for a long time; they’ve held up just as good if not better than all my Gap jeans. Plus, they’re actually double stitched!
Thanks for this awesome post Sherry!
Audra says
I love your style! I also love stores like Old Navy, but learned to splurge on certain items. For me, that’s pants- especially slacks for work. I particularly like Banana Republic for how long their pants last me. I always go straight back to the sale section. I do this no matter what clothing store I go into, actually. I don’t even look at the new stuff in the front – there’s always plenty of stuff in the sale section to chose from and at a much better price!
Lauren says
Thank you so much for posting this!! I’m unfortunately guilty of buying my favorite Old Navy t-shirts in lots of colors and pairing them with jeans and flip flops almost everyday. Ugh…I’m definitely in a rut! I love your suggestions, and think I might need to slowly overhaul my wardrobe. :)
Ginny @ goofymonkeys says
I love that you’re a pony tail girl! You totally rock it – I do too :)
I think that #5 is the best tip of all – make sure that you love your clothes, and if you don’t love it, don’t buy it!
Jenny says
I love a good sale and always hit the clearance racks first but I have a shopping motto that runs through my head……sometimes 30% off means paying 70% for something you don’t really need…….remembering this has saved me numerous times from making purchases I’ll regret later!
Nadia says
So here’s my dilemma. I just had a baby 4 months ago and even though I’m really working at the gym to get back into my pre baby clothes ASAP, I have to buy some stuff now to get me through this weird in-between time. I HATE spending any money on things that may (hopefully!) not fit me in the next couple of months…total catch 22!!! Any suggestions?!
YoungHouseLove says
It sounds crazy but I wore three or four sweaters and shirts that weren’t too bad during that time and just held off buying too much.
xo,
s
Katrina says
I am in a similar place. After my first was born I was like Sherry and bought a few items that could make a week’s worth of outfits, and then I allowed myself to splurge on a few accessories that made me really happy and feel good about myself. Because trying to lose the baby weight when you don’t feel like you look good in anything is a real chore. I also found that even after I lost my baby weight that my body shape had changed and that some of those items that I had held onto hoping that I would fit into again just didn’t work for my new body. Since that discovery, I allowed myself to purge my closet and buy a few items that fit, works for my life as a mom, and boosts my confidence. And now I’m doing all over again after child #2 (thankfully my body shape didn’t change again this time). Good luck!
Katherine (@ KM Decor) says
I love the Michael Kors purse and completely agree about spending a little more on quality items, and less on trendy pieces. I recently redid my own closet (with the help of my very handy hubby) and would love for you to check it out at http://kmdecor.blogspot.ca/2012/08/master-closet-reveal.html.
Jes-ka says
This is a great post! I also really like your other money-saving posts.
I splurge on jeans, but only recently. The Levi’s outlet had a 30% off sale, so I got me some fancy jeans that are actually far more cozy than any I have ever purchased from a dept store or Target.
I am also an Old Navy/Gap fanatic, so I use my gap card with the super cash, just like you! And since we have an Old Navy flagship store out in downtown SF, there are tons of options for me and my beau (plus a giant clearance section). It feels like Disneyland some days.
Now that I find myself doing better with clothes shopping, I am trying to improve my grocery shopping skillz. <3
Erin says
If you shop online a lot, signing up for Ebates.com helps in two ways. First, they usually have a coupon code or two. But the best part is by going to websites through their site, you earn cash back! I promise I don’t work for them, but when I saw their list of websites and how much money you can earn back, I got reeeeeeeeally excited. I mostly use it for clothes, but they have airlines, hotels, even places like Overstock. I earned $40 alone last year on my daughter’s swing set from WalMart by going through their site. Plus they will have great Christmas deals coming up…!!!
Annie says
I had never thought of ranking clothes from 1-10, and having only “10” items that you can mix and match. That kind of thinking will absolutely help me pare down my closet and be more mindful in spending (and make my hubby happy!) :) I always hate that, “I don’t like it as much as I thought I did” feeling and the wasting money feeling. Thanks for the different perspective. :)
Emily says
For myself I love Old Navy and all of their coupons, I don’t think I’ve ever bought something full price from there! And I’m totally with you on the outlets, my *fav* is the Coach outlet, I got one handbag there for $125, and a trench for $75, and that was a couple years ago, and they still look brand new!! For kids clothes I LOVE H&M, they’re so inexpensive and soo cute!!
Carol N. says
Like you, I wear the v-neck shirts to make me look like I actually have a neck. Since I work in corporate America, I can’t wear jeans to the office or believe me I would. I usually find a pair of pants that fit and are very classic in style (not low cut, not super fancy) and buy 2-3 basic colors in that style. Say black, brown and navy. I do the same for skirts, and then I buy 2-3 blazers or pretty classic jackets. Those are the basics for my wardrobe and I can get cute and inexpensive tops to go with them and liven up some. I plan on retiring in a few months though so I am transitioning to jeans which will still work with the cute tops and jackets. I used to have a lot of neat old vintage pins to wear on my jackets but since they were all stolen in a break in, I haven’t replaced them. I might have to start haunting Goodwill and thrift stores looking for old costume jewelry again. I find that it made the classic items look a little more special for me.
Jenifer says
What helps me is really having a uniform. I teach yoga for work, and when I first started, I was changing my clothes about 10 times a day, and that was extremely annoying.
So, I looked at my style and created a uniform that I didn’t have to “undress” all the time. My style is a “euro-classic” with a bit of a french flare, and so I started there. And then I made it into a capsule. Like you, I always buy quality. It’s also important for me to buy fair trade.
Here is my uniform:
5 pairs American Apparel leggings and tanks — $24 and $17 respectively, with a life span of 3-5 years with daily wear, machine wash, line dry.
4 dresses to wear over the base layer.
Each of these is a designer dress. A friend of mine is a model and gets lots of free clothes. I often buy those clothes from her. One dress, worth $250, I got from her for $40. I love it. It’s a beautiful “t-shirt” fabric with a gorgeous cut, pattern, etc. It’s only bummer is that it’s dry-clean only, but according to the designer (I just called him), he said that unless I get a spot on it, once every-other-month should be enough cleaning.
Two of the dresses came from the local thrift. Turns out that both of them were made by australian designers, and the dresses both retail for over $300. Madness, considering they are made out of a t-shirt like material. But the cut and drape is gorgeous, and I couldn’t pass up $3 and $7 respectively.
The 4th dress is a gift from my mother from Speigel, which she special ordered for me. I was pregnant when I fell in love with it, and it was a year out-of-season when I could finally wear normal clothes again. She contacted the company and asked about the dress, and bought it for me at half-price. Awesome!
My skirt is a denim skirt that I got before I went fair-trade. It’s Old Navy and I bought it about 10 years ago.
And then my cardigans also come from local thrift stores — both are merino wool. I think they both cost under $10. They definitely did, what am I talking about?
I then have two pairs of skinny jeans and 4 t-shirts — again American Apparel. Good prices, and going strong after only about a year of wear.
For shoes, I love ballet flats or vibrams. I don’t really carry bags (tend to be a minimalist), but my wallet was purchased about 5 years ago — a good quality one on sale for $12. Original price? $70. Crazy for a wallet — $70! LOL
And then for my coats/jackets, I have a wool coat (old navy, purchased before I went fair trade, on sale — so $35 for the $80 coat; 7 years old); my denim jacket (10 years old; TJ Maxx, $15 down from $70); and then my winter coat which my mom bought for me and is LandsEnd. I’m sure she got it on sale.
4 pashmina scarves — all gifts — and then my jewelry. I keep it simple, but have some fun pieces too.
I find that this gives me enough diversity, and I have 5 different hair styles, too: down with combs to hold back the front; high pony tail (with high fashion twists. hard to describe); three-part messy “up-do” (luckily, it looks complex but it quite easy); high bun (danish style — described at copenhannah.tumblr.com); simple french twist. I also do braids and regular pony tail fairly often.
And then there’s swim suit and roller derby gear. I do my parkour in my usual yoga stuff plus vibrams, but for derby, I need skates and pads.
I try to keep it simple. 7 hangers, one drawer, 4 pairs of shoes (i forgot to mention the gum boots. they are necessary).
Katy says
In Canada we have a little chain of thrift stores named Value Village (or Boutique VV as I like to call it). There are four I know of in Toronto, where I live. I go to the one near the poshest, most affluent neighbourhood. I always – ALWAYS – find the sweetest gear there for me and my guys (husband and baby boy). Just last week I walked out with a $72 J Crew top in trendy mint green that set me back only $5, and will go beautifully with my thrifted designer jeans (retail for $275, got ’em at the Boutique VV for $9).
But even the best deal isn’t good if you can’t defunkify something from a thrift store. Everything I buy gets a hot wash and a white vinegar rinse. Takes care of that stankness reeeeallll good.
Wardrobe GPA is going in my lexicon :)
Heather says
J.Crew and the J.Crew Outlet offer 15% off (on top of their sales) for students and teachers.
Lindsay says
How about this one – know your climate! I bought an expensive (to me) winter coat right before moving to Los Angeles. It’s now been over 8 years, it looks good-as-new (since I only need it when I travel) and I’m seriously sick of it. heh. It’s not that it looks dated or anything, I’m just ready for a change! For some of us, the cheap Target/Old Navy coats would actually have been the *right* decision! ;)
Emily M says
That whole closet GPA thing kills me – never even thought of it that way. If I’m being honest, that makes my closet average out to about a 6 or 7. I’ve bought a lot over the years that was on sale and not quite right (doh!). But there have been other purchases that keep on keepin on too – like a tapestry pencil skirt from Limited I bought in HS that I still wear 20 years later!!! Good tips all around.
Jenn says
I’m a big fan of clothes that can be used in many situations. My weekend clothes match my work clothes (except one of those has with more jean and less fancy shoes) and I don’t typically put things away for next season. I’m a big fan of plain items that can be re-worn and layered.
I’m also a huge outlet/Marshalls/TJMaxx shopper. Although i refuse to spend a lot of money on things like plain t-shirts, I am known to spend a few extra dollars on a nice watch or purse if I have been swindled into thinking I’m getting a good sale. It’s exactly what you said, I can wear these things every day for YEARS. It’s worth it!
Abbie says
I’m 5’1″ and think I have a carbon copy of your wardrobe. Seriously I would have written the same thing if someone asked me to describe my style! V-necks, dangly earrings, all the black, even down to the purse. Though I was given a Louis Vuitton (never would have splurged for that myself), and that thing has been my go-to bag for almost 10 years now. Still with zero signs of wear…I’m kind of afraid when I think about how long it might be a part of my life, haha.
Agustina says
hi. i am a sucker for solid tees – shaped cute tees – and target has great deals on them for like 7 bucks but they stretch and they get misshapen – so recently i have discovered pima cotton… a bit more expensive, but wont pill or stretch.