Cents of Style

Strategic shopping tips that will make dressing for $100 or less second nature….You can do it!

Wardrobe Building Strategy

• Never buy anything that you can’t visualize with at least three things you already own.
• Never buy anything that you don’t absolutely love.
• Never buy anything that doesn’t fit right and feel comfortable.
• Shop for fabrics that you can wear year round.
• Choose classic cut garments with little adornment for your anchor pieces (Pants, Skirts & Jackets).

The Sale Rack

• Go to the sale rack immediately when you enter a store.
• Understand that the sale rack in most stores is a disaster! A thorough sweep of ALL garments is a must.
• Recognize that if it is on the sale rack mis-sizing could be the issue.
• Make sure you look at garments labeled one size larger and one size smaller.
• Look for end of season bargains that can be worn year around (i.e. denim, tropical wool, gabardine and light weight polyester).

Budget Garmets / Knock-offs

• Budget garments are cut more sparingly, be prepared to go up a size or two.
• Make sure to check the seams before you buy the garment. The seams are where shoddy workmanship shows.
• Go window-shopping in the upscale boutiques to keep up with the latest trends.
• Remove the garment from the rack of a bargain store and visualize it hanging in a more upscale boutique.
• Don’t get caught up in designer hype. A great knock-off is just days away.

Discount Stores / Consignment Shops / Thrift Stores

• Be open to going into all kinds of stores. You never know what you will find.
• Get to know the manager or sales people at your favorite stores so that they will call you when things come in or go on sale.
• Outlet Stores can often be the same price or even higher than department stores…watch out for the false lure of discount pricing at outlet malls.

Trends

• You can easily stay current with your dressing by changing one thing…usually your tops and/or accessories.
• Don’t be afraid of the junior department. Juniors live for trends and the trendy items are usually less expensive in this area.

Color

• A strategic splash of color brings life and richness to an otherwise cheap looking outfit.
• Keep your anchor pieces neutral and your tops colorful.

Accessories

• Accessories set the mood of an outfit and offer polish.
  The easiest and least expensive way to update an outfit is to change the accessories.
• Most accessories don’t come in a size so if properly cared for, you never have to throw them away…they can be recycled from decade to decade.
• Accessories should be used to draw attention away from figure flaws and work to highlight your assets.

Fall/Winter Tips

• A great way to perk up an old coat is a new scarf, hat and gloves in a bright unusual color.
• When thrift store shopping for that great leather jacket remember brown tends to look more rugged and worn in as it ages…black just tends to look used!
• Some designers create a “Cruise Wear” line for warmer climates during the winter. These lines offer a peek at what summer has to offer and many of these garments hit the sales rack around March.
• Go ahead and buy that red garment that goes on sale right after Christmas…you will look great for Valentine’s Day!
• Buy lighter/thinner winter cardigans that go on sale after the Holidays so that you can use them as feminine evening wraps all year long.