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!
harmony says
My sisters and I have what we call “the List”
all of these questions have to be answered appropriately for something to make it through the checkout
*do you Love it?
*does it fit well?
*is it made well?
*would you buy if it wasn’t on sale?
*does it go with anything in your closet?
*do you have anything like it?
Sometimes one of them will call me and say “help! talk me out of buying this it doesn’t pass the list!” haha:)
I love your “closet average” method too
Angela says
Thanks for sharing!! I’ve been on the fence about a MK purse I saw at TJMaxx and your cost per wear logic has convinced me it’s worth it!! Now I just hope it’s still there!
Thanks again!
Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings says
love the closet GPA analogy…I need to think more like that!!
lesli devito says
awesome post! Did you mention price adjustments? Where if something you have purchased something…a dress or even a washing machine…and the price goes down within 7-14 days (ahhh I remember the days when it was 30 days!) you can re-coup the difference. You need not bring the item back, just the receipt and nowadays, even some stores have the receipt just by using your credit card!!!
Also – J Crew, which is my FAVE store of long lasting classics, always gives a 15% discount to teachers…you just need to show a teaching ID.
xo
YoungHouseLove says
Great tips everyone! Love how many of you are so awesome to share your savvy tips!
xo
s
Marla B. says
I always look for ways to be frugal and I guess I might be cheaper than I thought I was. I tend to shop yard sales and clearance sale racks that are 50%-90% off. I avoid full price like the plague. I mostly shop stores like Ross Burke’s Outlet, & WalMart where full-price is still pretty reasonable. If I go to the mall at all, I stick strictly to clearance racks. I have never spent more than $16-20 on a purse.
I may not be on the new edge of fashion, but like you, I do know what does & does not flatter me and stay away from those racks. Saving money makes my shopping experience just as exciting as finding a pretty item. I always welcome any tips on finding good deals.
Amanda says
You look SO pretty in the plum tank and silver earrings! I’m sure your blue eyes looked extra gorgeous in that color combo. :)
Melanie (melarse) says
Sherry – Your best accessory is your smile! :)
I came across a formula a while back that has stuck with me over the years. Your item in question should cost you $1 or less per day of use.
$200 purse – Will I use this 200 times? YES – BUY!
$80 trendy blouse – Will I wear this 80 times? NO – DON’T BUY! (find knockoff)
I think this works well with home items too.
Annie says
A+ on the fancy earrings! I’m definitely in the mostly black + earrings to make things special camp. It takes 2 seconds to put earrings on, and they make such a difference. I stuck to studs for about 18 months after my daughter was born because of her little grabby hands, but now that she’s almost 2 I’m back to the big earrings. The first day I wore my big hoops again, my husband said I looked like myself again!
Does Clara freak out if you wear your hair down? I kept my hair up forever when she was little and now that I’m trying to wear it down more, she has a MELTDOWN. She’s so used to me wearing it up!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, she likes it! She wants to run her hands through it and stick her face in it. It’s kind of hilarious.
xo
s
Kim says
Wow, some great advice here! Thanks for this post, Sherry. I’ve been cleaning out my closet and am totally disgusted by how many clothes I own, so I will be taking some of these tips to heart.
I think well-fitting jeans are so hard to find. For years I got mine at Express, but they changed their cut or fabric or something. Their jeans started to feel “off” to me — it was like I was between two different sizes. So recently I switched to a different brand. That was tough. I was so used to getting my jeans at Express that I felt guilty purchasing them elsewhere! Sometimes it’s hard to admit when one of your favorite fashion staples just doesn’t work for you anymore.
Sara says
I didn’t realize until you put your hair down, but you kinda look like Drew’s Girlfriend on Parenthood http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1384666/
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh, that’s a new one! Haha. Off to check her out…
xo
s
Megan C says
So frequently your posts just happen to be relevant to something going on at my house, lol! I had my second daughter eight months ago and have lost about 90 pounds since then. I have been putting off cleaning out my closet because I don’t want it to be empty – but your “closet total average” has made me excited to pare down and get my rating up :)
heather says
If you have AAA check out their discounts for stores too. I get something like 10% off at the Banana Republic Outlet if I can show a valid card. I actually keep a screen shot of my account with my expiration date, card number, and name, on my cellphone too in case I forget my card, or like recently, had my expired card on me. There are a ton of places that have AAA discounts so it’s worth the look, and saving money. Another tip I do is shop at the end of a season when everything is on sale.
heather says
Oh and BTW – there are in store discounts, and also the AAA Club Rewards which gives you both points and discounts if you click to the store through AAA. For example, some stores have bonus 4x points towards free merch AND a percent off. Theory, for example (for business formal people) has 25% off through online shopping, which gets the items close to the outlet prices.
Jennifer says
Fun post! I am guilty of having a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear. This is partly because my weight has gone up and down since having kids but also I am just not a good shopper. I am so cheap that I resist spending money and then realize that I need something basic and either overspend on it or buy an item that doesn’t flatter me just so I have clothing covering my body. I am slo resistant to spend on accessories even though I am well aware that those are the things (cool earrnig, funky scarves, statement necklaces)that move my basic outfits from boring to worthwhile.
Beginning last year I decided to make more thoughtful purchases. This took some time as it required me to go to various stores and actually try on clothing to determine what sizes, shapes and colors flatter me. I also took time to really look at how stores style their mannequins/displays to get ideas for color combinations and shapes that I might not have thought of. I do this with websites, too. I like BR, lands End Canvas,Gap, ON, Target, Loft and JCrew. Many stores will have things like, “Looks We Love”. I usually only like one or two of the looks but it helps me pinpoint what I should be shopping for rather than roaming around stores/internet aimlessly and staring at the clearance racks, hoping for a miracle.
I also started taking note of things in my closet that were a 10 and considering whether or not a duplicate in another color or weight would be helpful. Another thing I do is take note of what I always wish I had. I continually wish I had a pair of animal print flats to wear with skinny jeans and plain sweaters. I also wish I had a neutral statement necklace to wear with solid color t-shirts and cardigans and trousers (my work uniform).
I still make a lot of mistakes (I am talking to you, transparent neon yellow Gap t-shirt from the outlet for $5) but I am improving.
lrlockwood says
Goodwill is my go to place for work clothes. Skirts and dress pants are something I don’t want to spend alot of money on because I wear them EVERY day and eventually they get worn out. NOW I don’t buy less quality clothes at Goodwill I look for the Banana Republic, Black and White Market, Anne Taylor brands. Just scored BIG TIME this week, 3 Black and White Market skirts (worn MAYBE once) that were originally $86 came home with me for $7.50…SCORE! and a navy blue pin striped two piece Anne Taylor suit for $6…. SCORE! so although I hit up the Goodwill I still look for the more quality brands that I know will hold up. OH! and BTW, you are sooo darn pretty! John is a lucky man!
Kim says
Great post! I admire you for figuring this out at your age. I think I am just now figuring this out, and I still make some mistakes from time to time.
With these tips in mind, would you buy a red purse? I saw a very cute one on clearance at T.J. Maxx, still $49, but a name brand. It is tomato red-not brown red, which I would have been all over. And normally I am not a red girl because a. too flashy, b. not practical, and c. I am more earthy than designer (give me hip outdoor wear from a backpacking store any day!) But it was cute and seemed different than the same old brown. But it seems like you would have to be careful what you pair it with, so it wouldn’t be grab and go. Or is it ok to have something not as practical because it would be a “signature” piece? It also might be more grown-up looking for my age.
(and I totally send pictures of purses to my BFF’s to get their opinions!)
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, I think red goes with a lot of stuff, so if you think it’ll go with a ton of things you wear it could be a fun purchase! If you think it’ll fight with other things you love to wear a lot (bright tops, your trench/jacket, jewelry, shoes, etc) it might be too much for lots of things you already own so you might not wear it as much as you think. But I have a gold bag (my last bag was gold too, and the one before that was pewter) so those definitely give my normally really neutral/black looks some interest.
xo
s
Betsy says
I once read a novel (The Finishing Touches, in case you’re wondering – it was cute) in which a girl’s mother gave her a piece of advice that red counts as a neutral in purses and shoes. So I would go for it! I don’t think you have to be as careful as you think – red goes with everything except bright green (unless it’s Christmas) and pink.
– from a lover of red accessories
Kim says
Thanks! And I love the closet GPA. I am definitely inspired to clean it out!
Beth says
I love your style! Where do you buy your earrings? I have a hard time finding fun earrings that are affordable, since my ears are sensitive to cheap metals.
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, some are cheap from Target/Old Navy and some are from etsy or towneandreese.com. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Renee says
I loved that post! good for you for knowing what works and sticking to it. i am VERY guilty of buying things on clearance because of the sexy price alone. it’s a BAD habit!
my current trick to balancing my shopping addiction with CHEAP CHEAP tenancies – daily deal sites like zulily.com & ruelala.com. Also coach has a great member only (which is free) online outlet sale about once a week. Awesome for the occasional handbag splurge. i just got one for $169. reg $399!
Let me know if you’d like a like to any of the sites :-) Happy Hump Day!
Renee says
oops – i meant LINK. here they are just incase :
http://www.zulily.com/invite/rshaw873
http://www.ruelala.com/invite/rshaw79
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for all the tips and links guys!
xo
s
Lindsay says
It’s absolutely insane and incredible how many coupons and discount cards yall have in the States. Up here in Canada, good luck with that. It’s actually quite sad. We’re on par dollar for dollar not, yet sh*t is still more expensive here than for our U.S. neighbours. Even grocery discount cards, there are no such things like that up here, at least in Ontario. I’m jealous of all the discounts and perks you Americans get. :(
Sara L says
I love your tips! Most of them I live by too, so it was nice to see someone else following the same thought pattern. =) I’m 5’5″, so not super tall or short, and I have really stocky legs. I’ve figured out that New York & Co have the BEST dress pants to flatter my thicker legs…if you sign up for their emails, they send weekly coupons and discounts. Here in Fayetteville, NC, I pretty much buy my clothes at Target/NY&C on their clearance/redline racks. I like Lane Bryant’s bras, and occasionally can find a steal on their clearance racks as well. I recently picked up an $80 hoodie for $12.99 there! I love color, but tend to gravitate toward black, so I pick up small pieces like jewelry, shoes, and cardigan sweaters in bright colors to cheer up my wardrobe.
Amanda says
Tip #5 is brilliant and OMG how I heart Century 21 and Daffy’s (did you ever go there? I guess their closing down shop…) and NYC sample sales!!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! Daffy’s! I got a great coat there once. So sad they’re closing things down.
xo
s
Lia says
For me the biggest money-savers were learning to sew and using Pinterest. Sewing made me WAY more picky about fabric, so no more fibers I don’t really like the feel of/wear out, and I’m a little better at telling when something is well made. And now instead of buying something because it’s cheap and it looks okay, I think “Would Pinterest Lia wear that?” The answer is usually no. I’ve bought one pair of shoes, two shirts and one bracelet since joining a year or so ago, and I’m obsessed with all of them. I’m an aspirational dresser now!
Kelly says
Thanks for inspiring me to completely clean out my closet. I’m going to take everything out, try it on, and be realistic about keeping it. I can’t wait to get started!
erin says
thank you for your take on fashion! i wish i was able to add some tips of fashion wisdom, but alas i do not. i am in my early 30’s and i don’t know if i really have a “style.” unfortunately i am too often in frumpy mom mode, being momma to a 3 year old and 6 month old. my wardrobe consists of t-shirts and jeans (and the occasional yoga pant when at home). i have a hard time finding clothes that fit/work for my body. with the excess boobage that my family (grandmother/mother & now 2 breastfed kids) has gifted to me, i have a very hard time finding shirts. i like tailored pieces, but that’s a joke, because anything fitting up top is too baggy on the bottom and if it fits on the bottom, it’s too tight up top. plus, i live in an area where fashion choices are VERY limited! closest target, old navy, gap, bp, etc are all 2+ hours away. shopping online is also a no go just because i really need to try things on before buying. plus, with hubby as a teacher and the fact that i work VERY part time, there is not much in the budget for good quality pieces. maybe once the kids are older and have stopped spitting up on me and wiping their dirty hands on me, i will attempt to be more pulled together.
Jennifer B. says
I scored an Elle handbag from Kohl’s a few weeks ago.It was originally $60. When I found it online, it was marked down to $20.65. I called the store to find out if it was an online-only sale or if it worked in store as well, and also to see if they had any left. They told me it worked in store as well, but they were out. I called the next closest store, which is about 20 min away, but I commute to school in the same town 4 days a week, so I wasn’t going out of my way. They told me they DID have them in stock, so I asked for one of every color to be put on hold, just in case. I went the next day and picked out the one I wanted.
They had a printable coupon on their website for 15% off everything, plus I had one of their coupons for $10 off a $10 purchase. Unfortunately the $10/$10 coupon had expired two days before, but I asked about it at the register and they honored it!
That’s how I got a $60 handbag for $9. :)
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/handbags/crossbody/PRD~1101324/ELLE+Chain+and+Bow+CrossBody+Handbag.jsp
Nora says
All these tips are so great! I used to have coupons everywhere, but I just downloaded this task app called Astrid. I add tasks for the dates coupons expire, and a reminder pops up on the date I set up the task. I actually use this app everytime I need to remind myself about something. It’s awesome and free. The mascot for the app is super cute and encouraging. He tells me I can do things, and calls me tiger. What’s not awesome about that? Ha! My favorite store credit card is the Limited. They pretty much always have great coupons or a sale. I love their dress pants; I have all solid colors, and I wear them to work pretty much every day (all their bottoms are buy one get one right now). Oh, and I subscribe to tons of fashion blogs; a lot of them list sales regularly. College Fashion has a post every week with sales.
Shannon says
I love your pony tail and wish that I was a pony tail girl sometimes too, but your hair down…….grrrrrrr!
Laura says
Definitely agree with buying a quality bag! I buy Coach bags from the outlets and they last forever and I get tons of ocmpliments! I have enough now that I switch them out for the seasons and don’t need to buy more as they are well made and won’t fall apart.
Danielle says
This post is great. I do many of the same things in terms of knowing what I can pull off in terms of what is flattering/age appropriate.
Because I now have to “dress up” for work, I have had to invest in suit-like separates and my go to for that is the thrift stores. I shop on the days when they discount and I also have their savings card which gets a lot of use.
I know that Jones New York, Talbots, Ann Taylor and ATLoft always fit me. I’also just go thru the racks and pull things that look possible then go and give them a good look over for stains, tears, moth damage, missing buttons. The items that pass this test are then tried on. Yes, I am that crazy woman in the corner trying on jeans underneath my skirt or stripping down to a tank top to put on a blouse. I dress strategically so I can do this.
All this manic hunting has paid off. I’ve gotten a DVF dress for $14 (including the price of alteration to hem it), a suede skirt for $6 (including dry cleaning ) and several excellent blazers and vintage pieces.
New items I shop for come from Target, Old Navy and eBay. I also shamelessly hit up my friends if they are cleaning out their closets.
Lots can be done with scarves, cute earrings and brooches. I stick with basic pieces in basic colors and can go nuts with the odd thrifted item like a weird patterned tunic or caftan. If it turns out horrible, I re-thrift it!
Kara says
You’re so pretty, Sherry! I love all these tips. Thanks for sharing!
Also, I understand the mom ponytail now more than ever now that I have a grabby 9-month-old.
Hope says
Love your tips! Totally agree with them. I get great comments on the stuff I wear daily…and I pretty much shop at Target, Old Navy, H&M and forever 21(for their accessories). The major key is adding accessories. I like to pair my outfits with one “expensive” element-bag, shoes, jacket etc..If I shop online I always check to see if there is a coupon-“retailmenot.com” has some that have always work for me. I also shop on some discounted websites with flash sales-ruelala.com, hautelook & gilt.com-I’ve scored some cocktail dresses,bags and shoes at really great pricing. I shop sales at major department stores and retailers-most of the time you get better stuff that what’s at the outlet-(I work in retail) and it costs a store too much money to transfer their sale stuff to outlets so they usually mark down to lower what you would see in the outlet stores-where most of the stuff is made to sell just at the outlet. I also love using the website shopstyle to see if a retailer has a bag or shoes that I’m coveting at a better price than what I’ve seen at a store. Also get to know the sales people at your favorite stores they will let know when there’s a sale coming up or something better coming in soon! Thanks!
Brenda says
One of my tips for cheaply updating my wardrobe is to actually iron my clothes. I tend to wash, dry, hang, and leave everything till it piles up. Then when there is nothing to wear, I iron and voila! there’s another dozen outfits I can wear! The day after ironing is like I have a whole new closet. : )
Annaliza R says
This was a great post. I love all the info. I have been pickier with my clothing choices the past few years, but your closet average has motivated me to purge some items that aren’t a 10. I was wondering what some of your favorite etsy stores are for earrings.
Kelly T. says
These are all such great tips!!
Sherry, Do you do anything special to keep your black shirts from fading? I feel like a lot of mine start to look sort of grey and old after they’ve gone through the laundry a bit.
YoungHouseLove says
This might sound gross, but I try to wear them a few times before washing them. Not when I’m doing yard work or out on a hot day, but if I’m inside all day and not much happens, I give them another wear like my jeans before washing them. Also, we use Seventh Generation detergent (eco & mild) which seems to work nicely.
xo
s
Brittney says
LOVE these tips! A few years ago I was inspired by your paired down wardrobe and have really been able to live with a lot less since my mega purge back then.
Your gold Michael Kors bag is gorgeous! I’m on year 5 with a super high quality orange/red Jimmy Choo large hobo which is my statement piece. I love your idea of getting gold though since it just dresses up anything without being like me and always being like miss dark orange/red over here!:)
I buy a lot at TJMaxx and Target but I always pick up camis, yoga pants and swim wear at Old Navy. For people looking for maternity advice, look into specialty maternity consignment shops. In the Minneapolis area there are several and since everything is screened for quality it is really a win/win as far as price and quality if you can find a few things you like that fit.
Nicole says
Okay my friends totally make fun of me for this. I know my favorite stores’ rotation schedule, mostly 4 weeks. So if I really like something I know it will be marked down on week 4 and clearenced on week 5. Sometimes I don’t always get it if it is a hot item and sells out or I have to settle for a different color. But hey, I almost never pay full price for anything.
Jenny says
You are so pretty Sherry, I love how comfortable you are in your own skin!
Merica says
Thanks for the advice Sherry. Being a tall girl at 6.2″ and a mom of three girls I need to splurge on good jeans and I know my brand where I can get at least one style in my size. I am not build for skinny pants at all so the last 3 years were hard in the jeans department but it’s getting better now. I splurge on training gear and my everyday shoes (in a size 13-14) (Duckfeet atm) too. I’m cheep/sentimental when it comes to accessories. A simple Swatch watch will do for years, the rings I wear all hold a special meaning for me and earrings are for fun and always less then 20€.
I used to be a ponytail girl myself. But what’s the sense in maintaining all this hair when it hardly gets out of a messy ponytail? So I got shorter and shorter over the last 3 years and can now barely keep them in a ponytail for my exercising.
Jessibee says
Oh Sherry, I think you always look so chic with your ponytail, earrings and sunglasses! Using bold earrings is such a great idea and I’ve always liked that about your look.
I never wear my hair in a ponytail because I’m pretty convinced that my head is too small. :( Please take a moment to appreciate your own appropriately sized for ponytailing noggin on my behalf. LOL! but seriously…
Jill @ missiondecorate.com says
#5 is totally brilliant! I have already repeated it to several people and they thought I was brilliant…but then I told them where the knowledge came from. Thanks Sherry!
marissa says
I can’t stop thinking about your closet GPA idea, so I had to come back and comment! I find that hilarious and awesome! As someone who was obsessed with getting good grades even through college, of course I want a great closet GPA as well! I’ve been thinking about how I can apply it to all of our stuff, as we work towards clearing out the extra crap in our home. Thanks for sharing the fun idea!
Dani says
I love your tips and will be cleaning out my closet shortly, but I have a quick question, where’d you get your bathing suit? I’m looking for a one piece but find issues with the torso being to long for my frame (5’2″ also).
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! It’s from Piperlime (I saw it in RealSimple and blindly ordered it since they said it was a good suit- haha).
xo
s
Michelle McCormick says
I never ever ever ever wear my hair down. I have seriously worn my hair in a ponytail for as long as I can remember. I have really thin hair and I am much more comfortable with it up in a cute ponytail, than down in a straggly mess.
I’m just glad to know that there’s another “up in a ponytail” type of girl out there!
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
I love the closet GPA rule that’s brilliant! I’m off to get rid of anything under an 8.
Australia doesn’t do bargains and coupons like you guys sadly so I wait for the sales. One particular shop I like I stalk out my favourite items and tell them lovingly that I’ll be back for them when they’re on sale.
Jill says
I LOVED this post. Especially since I bought an adorable but tiny 1940’s bungalow a year ago, one with even tinier closets. (what I would give for a walk in anything!).
I have way too many clothes. Ones with a very low GPA. So sad. It helps me to know what to get rid of though! Anything below a 7 must go – for now. Maybe I can work my way up!!
Thank you for another way to look at this, ah, situation.
Anne Taite says
Great tips! All of these work regardless of your budget. Even if you have a smaller (or if are lucky to have a bigger) one, all of this just makes sense!
Have you noticed how much retail has changed in last 4 years (since recession)? I used to moonlight at Banana Republic, and the shopping psyche is totally different now – consumer and stores recognize the pressure shoppers have to make their dollar stretch. During my time at BR, no more than 30-40% of our customers bought items at ticket price.
Jessie says
My Big Three rules for shopping are:
1. I only buy sale items. I never ever buy something at full price, because I know it is going on sale and it pains me to think of the extra money that I will be spending if I don’t wait it out. I just got a shirt at Old Navy for 97 cents!! I’m not even kidding!
2. Like your watered down rule, I have to LOVE it to buy it. If it is only so-so, it’s a no-go, even if it is cheap.
3. Again relating to your closet average rule, if something amazing comes in, an old lesser item in my closet has to go. So if I have a stack of sweaters already, and I get a fabulous new one, I decide which of my sweaters would be the last one I would reach for since now I have an amazing new one, and that one goes to Good Will. One in, one out. It keeps my closet from getting too cluttered. :-)
Kami says
I love your style, Sherry! the v-neck tip is such a good one! Thank you!
I used to only shop thrift stores for house decor items, but now I will quickly walk the clothing aisles and look for fun prints on shirts that pop out at me. I’ve had a bit of luck lately with clothing at the thrift stores, and it’s been so fun!
Annie says
Thanks for the great tips! Love your style, Sherry. Now I’m inspired to do some smarter shopping!
Roxanne M says
I live in Minneapolis, Target’s corporate home. We have this amazing Salvation Army that has the lower floor full of samples from Target. All brand new stuff, w/out fancy tags. Tshirts are like $3 or $4, dresses $8, jeans $8. Housewares, kids toys, furniture…you name it, super cheap and brand new. I used to work near there and was there 2-3/week. Now I have a new job (much better job though!) so sadly I can’t go nearly as often. I’ve gotten comforters for $20 that are still $120+ in the store and countless other clothes and house stuff. I call it “Sal Target”. A couple times a year they even have 1/2 off clothing sales, but I tend to avoid them because the crowds are insane and I still feel like I’m getting an amazing deal w/ their normal prices.