Food, Home and Style

At the End of Your Robe: Nine Savvy Spending Tips for Spring

Stylist Julie Greene offers expert advice on looking fierce in a financial crisis.

If you are like me (and lots of other people) your spring clothing budget isn’t what it used to be. I’ve had to accept the fact what I already own will, for the most part, have to get me through summer. Any dollars I do drop, I want to go as far as possible. And, I want to be sure every penny is well spent—on clothes I’ll love and wear, not items that I’ll find in a year with the tags still on. That means shopping thoughtfully and strategically, using these nine tips for getting the most out of spring spending.

1.    Borrow from friends
If you are considering changing up your look, but aren’t sure you can rock “motorcycle chic,” borrow an item or two for the weekend and see how it feels before you charge a new leather jacket.

2.    Know what you need
Before you set foot in a store this season, make a list of exactly what you need for your wardrobe. If you’ve been reading my columns you should have a pretty good idea of what those are; sticking to the list will prevent you from overspending.

3.    Don’t get swept up in sample sale mania
All those trendy tops and dresses look great on the rack—and at these prices you can’t afford not to buy them. Right? Wrong! Often items at sample and warehouse sales are ill-fitting or irregular, so don’t buy a thing until you try it on, and make sure it’s worth the price even if it’s only $20. Final sale means just that.

4.    Play pricing games
I have a little trick I use whenever I go shopping. If I see something I like, I estimate it’s price, then I look at the tag. If it’s higher than I thought the piece was worth, I pass. If it’s lower, it deserves a try-on.

5.    Think outside the mall
Great clothes are everywhere. Second hand shops, thrift stores, yard sales and flea markets have great clothing finds and even better accessories to perk up your look.  Older pieces can be very high-quality, and their uniqueness will ensure you don’t look like a walking ad for Bannana Republic.

6.    Know the Cost Per Wear
Let’s say you spend $100 on a pair of jeans that you wear constantly (two days a week is about 100 wears per year). Divide the price by the frequency, and you get a cost per wear of $1—a great deal. Now let’s say you buy a trendy top for half that price, but only wear it twice. The CPW is now $50—not such a great deal. Lowering the CPW on your purchases will help you get the most bang for your buck.

7.    Clip coupons
I know it seems old-fashioned and time consuming, but clipping ads out of newspapers, stocking up on sales vouchers and taking advantage of markdowns is an effective way of saving your pennies. Even an extra 10% off can add up—or at least pay for a cocktail.

8.    Bring a friend
This is especially helpful if you have to buy a specific item, like a new suit or special occasion dress. Relying on the salesperson will guarantee you buy something, but will not guarantee that it’s the right dress, suit or shoes for you.

9.    Always RSVP
Before you buy anything, ask yourself the following… Is it reasonably priced? Is it sexy (i.e. does it flatter you)? Is it versatile? And can it perform? You don’t want to blow your money on clothing unless you love it and it makes you feel like the life of the party.

Julie Greene is an independent fashion stylist, wardrobe consultant and writer. She lives in New York City. Read more of her columns here.

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Tags: At the End of Your Robe, budgets, Food, Home and Style, saving, shopping, spending, style, tips