You know your professional and personal success largely depends on your overall image. You’ve heard the statistic that people judge us in the first 10 to 30 seconds they see us and it has everything to do with how we package ourselves.
Maybe you’re daunted by the idea of spending mega bucks on a new wardrobe. The following 7 tips will show you how to acquire an amazing wardrobe without breaking the bank.
First, know what image you wish to project and how to dress your body, then jump in with both feet following these strategies:
1) Shop Off-Season. That means now! It is the end of January and what’s in the stores? Spring clothes. Buy now for the rest of the winter season. Buy that new coat, winter dress, or the beautiful designer boots and statement pieces you’ve been eyeing – the cost of which may be hard to justify! You can get it now for 40%, 50% in some cases 70% off. The selection may be limited but there are “finds” out there. Here’s a tip: many major high-end stores allow you to pre-order sale items up to 13 days before they go on sale, even over the phone. What’s your favorite store? Ask your personal shopper or get to know a sales associate who will tip you off when the sale is about to occur. You’ve missed it this time around but keep that advice in mind for fall shopping (June or July).
2) Shop Sample Sales. Direct sales companies like W by Worth, have sample sales twice a year. The merchandise from these companies is sold in a private individual basis from samples. It’s a terrific way to shop during the season and at the end of the dual fall/winter and spring/summer seasons; the samples are available for purchase at up to 50% off. There is often new inventory leftover as well, which can be ordered at a discount.
3) Shop Outlets. Premium Outlet Stores have risen in popularity and they are everywhere. They used to carry leftover inventory that didn’t sell. Now clothes are made for the outlets. They are commonly a lower quality product but if you stick with the designer outlets you are getting a great quality product at a reduced price. If you really want a deal, see #1 above and shop the outlets off-season where their already low prices are marked down.
4) Check Prices on Amazon. Download the Amazon Shopping App and check out the items you want before buying. You can often save 20% or more by purchasing online.
5) Consignment Shops. They are fun, they are great for the environment, it is basically recycling clothes and you can get some great finds at amazing pricing. In a future blog, I am planning a DC Metro Area consignment shop review. But for now, I say do it. Here’s the caveat emptor: you will find a lot of outdated clothing in consignment shops and the proprietors are not usually fashion savvy, so take a personal shopper with you if you don’t know what’s in style or shop for classic timeless pieces. In addition to your local consignment stores, check out www.realreal.com, an online designer consignment shop. Look for those really special statement pieces at huge discounts.
6) Shop on Specific Days. Did you know you can actually save on specific items by shopping on certain days of the week? You can, according to Shopittome.com, a San Francisco company that analyzes more than 750,000 sales items a year from more than 200 online retailers. By running averages, the company found the following patterns:
- Mondays: Shoppers can save nearly 50% on men’s and women’s dress pants, and about 55% on sunglasses.
- Tuesdays: Expect to save more than 40% on men’s apparel.
- Wednesdays: Shoppers save about 40% on shoes and children’s clothes.
- Thursdays: Save 36% on handbags.
- Fridays: Pay 42% less for jewelry, belts and scarves.
- Saturdays: Lingerie can be found at 37% off and jackets/outerwear at 51% off.
- Sundays: Swimsuits at 52% off.
7) Use this app. Check this out… Shop it to Me, www.shopittome.com, the same company mentioned above has a terrific website where you can identify your favorite designers and items of interest, tell them your size and you will start to get daily emails on items on sale in your size by your favorite designers. How cool is that!
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