We’ve all done it. We’ve all gone to the mall to window shop, or to buy a certain item, and come out with the whole store, right? Whether it’s that we have low self-control or it’s the nifty marketing techniques of the store, most people can’t go shopping without overspending – which isn’t great for the ol’ bank account. So if you need to update your summer wardrobe, check out these five tips you can do before going clothes shopping to help you save money.
Spend some quality time with your closet
Spending quality time with your closet before you go clothes shopping could save you some serious cash. In doing this, you can work out what clothes you actually have, what kind of clothes, styles, and colors suit you, whether there are any hidden gems fallen down the back of the closet, and what’s missing that you actually need. This way, you can have an idea before you go shopping of what you need, and what you need to keep an eye out for – and not buy a shirt that is identical to five others in your closet (and that you don’t wear) just because it’s cute.
Make a list
If you want to be really organized and ensure you don’t spend any more money than you need to, you can make a list of all of the items you need to buy. If you need a T-Shirt, shove it on the list and cross it off when you’ve bought it. This way, you won’t overspend, and you will get exactly what you need.
Release your inner fashion stylist
Okay, so you might not actually be a fashion stylist – but getting into the mindset of one can be extremely beneficial to save you some money before you go clothes shopping. You can create your own Pinterest board, or even download mobile apps to take pictures of the clothes you already have and create your own personal look-book. This way you can see what you have and try and pair up the clothes you intend to wear with your old clothes to create some great outfits. It’s also a good idea to collect other images of outfits, styles, and garments that you like the look of, so you know what to look for in the store.
Be practical, and know when to splurge
When we go shopping, we all go into the kind of stores we can’t afford, and try to justify spending $500 on two items that we love. But most of the time, we don’t need them. Nevertheless, it is okay to splurge – you just need to know when. When thinking about spending a lot of money on one item, you need to think of the cost per wear. For example, a winter coat or work shoes will be worn almost every day for a large portion of the year, so there is no shame in spending a little more than you normally would as you will get the most out of them. Do not splurge on items that will only be worn once or twice, or that you don’t see yourself wearing in the long run.
Remember to try on your clothes
We’re all guilty of buying clothes on a whim, not trying them on, getting them home to find they don’t fit, and then storing them away in the back of your closet hoping they will fit you one day. Well, that’s money wasted. Quite literally. If you’re going shopping, always prepare yourself to try on all of the clothes you want to buy to make sure they suit you, and that they fit so you can ensure that you will wear them. To do this, always wear clothes that you can easily take on and off in the store, to make the whole process easier and faster.
