Okay, so you’re a fashionista. You’re the girl who likes to show up to her 8 am class with newly polished nails, blow-dried hair fresh from the shower, and an outfit combination that makes you feel on top of your game. (Or at least you try to do all of these things.) Seems relatively easy, right? Except looking good can cost a whole lot of dough. Here are some tips on how to be a scholarly shopper; after all, college is about learning both in and out of the classroom.
1. Use coupon websites and sign up for flyers.
Whether you search them up on the good ol’ Internet or get them via snail mail, coupons are your friend. My favorite reputable coupon website is RetailMeNot.
2. Do your research.
Can you buy a similar sweater somewhere else for less money? If it’s a pricey purchase, check elsewhere first, even if that means doing a quick Google search on your phone.
3. Spend where it counts.
The key here is to not just buy “cheap” clothes. Put your money into pieces you will use frequently that need to be a bit sturdier, i.e. shoes, outerwear, jeans, bulky sweaters, etc. Tank tops and socks don’t need to be pricey to work with your wardrobe; they’re not worth spending extra on, as they wear out quickly from daily use and get lost easily in the campus laundry room.
4. Don’t be afraid to shop outside of your normal department.
For those ladies that seem to float between departments, it’s good to check different areas for reasonably priced clothes. Ladies who shop in Junior’s shouldn’t write off checking Misses for some inexpensive basics, or vice versa. If you teeter between a Women’s XL and a 1X, check Women’s and Women’s Plus for the best deals.
5. Shop towards the end of the season; not in the middle or at the very end.
This is the perfect time to score some great deals on the current season’s clothing before it’s too late to wear it. The clothes may not be quite as cheap as at the very end, but you’ll have more variety to go with the better prices.
6. Layer: Go beyond the season.
Your summer dresses can easily be worn in the winter with the addition of leggings and a sweater. Short sleeves can be covered with jackets and long sleeves can be pushed up.
7. Borrow and trade.
Your roommate, sister, brother, aunt, mother, cousin, best friend, boyfriend, girlfriend: they all have closets simply filled with possibilities. Feel guilty asking to borrow their clothes? Let them have their pick of your closet too.
8. Don’t be afraid of clearance; but don’t buy something just because it’s cheap.
Clothes aren’t necessarily junk because they’re on clearance; often they’re left over due to overbuying. Have your pick, but be careful to make sure you’re not buying anything simply for its beautiful, beautiful price tag. Inexpensive clothes aren’t worth even a little money if you only plan to wear them once.
9. Try things on, especially if they are final sale.
Trying things on can save you both time and money; don’t waste either on clothes that don’t fit. Clearance especially tends to be final sale. Check the policies of the store before you buy, and make especially sure that your final sale clothes are a good fit for you and your wardrobe.
10. Shop alone sometimes.
When you go out shopping with your friends and see them buying everything in sight, you may feel the need to do the same. Shopping alone sometimes can help you make smart, thoughtful purchases.
11. Use the “think on it” rule.
If you’re spending all day at the mall and contemplating making a big purchase, wait until just before you leave; if you’re still thinking about it, you should treat yourself. If not, let it go for another day.
12. Use holidays/birthdays for the expensive staples.
Need new boots? A new coat? These are the pieces you need to make last, so think about asking for the nice stuff for the gift-getting holidays.
13. Thrift smart.
Thrifting is useless if you buy clothes that are in poor condition, aren’t useful, or are ill-fitting. Here is another case of “don’t buy it just because it’s cheap.”
14. Mix high and low.
If you’ve managed to acquire some high end pieces, don’t be afraid to mix them with your no-name clothes. Mixing high and low pieces masterfully is a great skill for any fashionista to have.
15. Splurge sometimes!
All this being said, if you really want something, you shouldn’t always stop yourself. It’s all about prioritizing. So go ahead and get that mildly overpriced bowler hat; it’s sometimes the spontaneous purchases that truly make a wardrobe your own.