The fall/winter season has hit Williamsburg, and as we all head back to our hometowns for Fall Break, we are taking back our summer sundresses, flip flops, and sunglasses and exchanging them for sweaters, jackets, and scarves. Many of us are going to have to buy some new cold weather clothes—but winter jackets can get pricey. And to the CollegietteTM on a budget, fall and winter accessories like scarves and gloves can seem like luxury destined for those who aren’t slaving at a part-time job on top of college studies. Have no fear, because Thrifty Harper has you covered with your guide to shopping smart this season. After all, every girl should be able to stretch her cash to meet her needs—and be fabulous while doing it!
Shop ahead to get off-season pricing.  As discussed in the last Thrifty Harper article,, off-season shopping is a great way to maximize your money and avoid last-ditch efforts to get what you need. Even if it’s only October, keep a lookout for the winter items you’ll need in the coming months while shopping for your fall essentials, especially since Fall Break conveniently falls on Columbus Day weekend for your sale-shopping pleasure. For those of you who choose the greener (both for the planet and your wallet) route and go thrifting, remember to keep this in mind too. November is when the coat and jacket section at the thrift store gets picked over, so it’s advantageous to off-season shop here, too.
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Don’t buy anything dry-clean only. Most of us have heard the saying about a guy who buys a fancy sports car because he finally has enough money but then realizes he can’t afford the insurance or the gas, so it sits in his garage collecting dust. In the same way, a great wool sweater or skirt can incur outside costs that we don’t think about when we look at the price tag. Even if it’s heavily marked down, think about the costs you’d have to pay to clean it after wearing. There are exceptions to this rule, but it’s important to weigh the hidden costs in the equation.
Don’t limit yourself to retail. Never, never, never fall into the trap of thinking that if things aren’t new then they’re ew! Check out this gorgeous, warm, pink corduroy sweater that my girl Jasmin got on our [first Williamsburg thrifting adventure]—for only $8. Save money and find retail alternatives like thrift stores and consignment stores.
Don’t try to buy anything too trendy. A great way to cut your fall shopping bill is to buy items that will last a few years. Go for classics, like simple cable knit sweaters. One of the great things about the colder months is that the need to stay indoors with family around the holidays makes us all want to snuggle up by the fire. Classic sweater styles bring nostalgic memories of the times when your mom wore that oversized sweater back when they were first cool. Winter is less about strutting your stuff in the newest style and more about feeling cozy at home.
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Buy items that will carry other parts of your wardrobe into the cold months. You can wear a dress in the fall if instead of gladiator sandals you put on some knit stockings and a button-down sweater. Remember that you need items you can layer and wear multiples of. By adding a couple warmer elements like a sweater or a scarf, you can bring your spring and summer wardrobe into fall and maximize your closet while minimizing the toll on your bank account. Hunt for items that can be worn during multiple seasons. Blazers and military-inspired jackets can be worn in fall and spring. Wear your bomber jacket with boots, skinny jeans, a tee shirt, and a scarf for the fall weather, and when the sun comes out in the spring, you can throw it on top of a tank, skirt, and flats.