Are you a college student who needs new clothes but doesn’t have much money to blow? You’re not alone, because the cost of college cuts into our shopping budgets. Instead of going into debt by spending money you don’t have with your Discover card, Her Campus has a list of the best advice for you:
Thrift stores should be your best friend in college. Before you rule them as places to buy someone else’s sloppy seconds, you should think about the benefits of secondhand stores. Designer consignment boutiques are becoming such a trend now because they make it easy to buy brand named clothes at fractions of the retail prices.
Some of the best boutiques in the Boston area are Covet and Revolve, both of which are high quality and reasonably priced. Revolve carries more brands like J. Crew and Lilly Pulitzer, while Covet carries much more luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, or Gucci. If you need a quick fix while you’re at school too, Urban Exchange in Northampton is an adorable designer consignment boutique just ten minutes from the UMass campus.
1. Covet
@covetboston on Instagram
395 W Broadway, South Boston, MA
2. Revolve
@revolveboutiques on Instagram
Locations in Lexington, Belmont, and Winchester, MA
233 Main Street, Northampton, MA
If you like online shopping, then Gilt, Rue La La and Hautelook are for you. These sites have discounted designer shopping events every day, and they have new events that rotate through the site so you’re never stuck with the same things. You can get new clothes at discounted prices right on your phone. What’s better than that?
You don’t even have to go to a store or website to shop either, you can save money in tons of stores with your student ID! That’s right: that little card with the ugly photo of you from freshman year orientation that probably has food on it from the hundreds of dining hall swipes can save you money at your favorite stores. There are so many stores that offer student discounts, including J.crew, Madewell, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Charlotte Russe, and even Chipotle if you need to stop for lunch during your shopping spree. So next time you go shopping, make sure to bring your student ID and ask if they offer a discount.
One last tip is to make sure to sign up for rewards programs with your favorite stores. Retailers will often send coupon emails to their subscribers with all the sale information so you can always get great deals.
Happy shopping, Collegiettes!