Buying Clothes - Saving Money Tips

[HollyGO]

Originally Posted by baselle

Two tips:
My first tip, as a woman, is a bit sexist. For basic items like turtlenecks, socks, tops, sweaters, etc, shop in the men's section. Fewer frou-frou colors, more colors match, clothes are better stitched, styles are not as changeable and price is usually better.

Second tip: especially in a thrift store and clearance racks, touch first then look. It s how you can find the good quality and the gently worn. Learned this from watching a friend. With her eyes closed, she would go through the rack, touching sleeves. When she felt something she liked she's open her eyes.

This is so true. I have tried a few re sale shops and saw cute things only to pay for them, get them home and find out they were stitched wrong, ill-fitted, or plain itchy fabric.

It's a great tip I think I will always use, not only in a resale shop but elsewhere.

[HollyGO]

Originally Posted by JBinKC

I think this should be the number one answer: Maintain your weight so you don't have to continually buy new sets of clothes.

Unfortunatley this has a down side, wear and tear.
The clothes after about a year or so of wearing, either start to fade or loose their innitial form. However it is a good short term option.

Too bad it won't work for children.

[jamiefic]

Kids clothes seem like such a waste to buy (especially for the real little ones) because they are in them such a short amount of time. A couple of weeks ago I went to a rummage sale and got a ton of clothes for our daughter for about $3 including a nice jacket. I posted a picture on my blog (under rummage sale - 10/16) a couple of days later to show how much you can get for so little!

[click4credit]

Originally Posted by cercis

Last time I went, I had a huge armload of slacks to try on. I desperately need some slacks, but I'm not going to settle for "probably fits". I want only "fits and looks good". Well, without trying them on, I can't know that. That's when I found out about the no doors. I abandoned the whole armload with the helper. I felt bad, but I'd already wasted an hour of my time trying to find slacks in my size(s) and the thought of trying to put them back where they belonged (because they came from about 5 different racks) was too much.

I got this from a friend of mine. What you could do is take the slacks, hold it by the waist band (zipped up, buttons closed) and have it go around your neck. If the two ends meet perfectly then it probably would fit you. Works for me most of the time

[Multima$tery]

I save money on clothes by buying dress shirts at thrift stores. The quality is really nice at most of them and some are even new! I also find that they usually carry nice slacks and khakis.

Also if purchase at a retail store I usually choose K&G, Value City, or Walmart. They have great discounts!

[emilywebster]

Just wanted to share my ideas, try to buy it online . There are different website you can look for to buy clothes.

For example:

MyClozet.net
Craiglist

[lroberts]

I am glad that I found this community.
Ladies love shopping for clothes, shoes etc. And I can say it is one of my weaknesses.
One of the simplest I think is that ladies should remember that not all designer clothes, bags and shoes are worth to buy. You can be fashionable and trendy even though your not wearing designer items. Do mix and match and show your creativity.

[imadophrank]

i think that one of the best ways of saving money is to first determine the difference between your needs and your wants and reducing your expenditures to your needs first and then wants later.

[mommyof4]

I like the tips that he listed, but also a big factor is to live with what you have, and if your closet is full, determine if you really NEED any more clothing. I think being satisfied with what you have goes a long way. Personally, I wear my clothes until they are worn out. This saves tons of money.

[WiseOwl]

Great advice guys. Yes, I always check the sale/clearance sections first, and have taught my daughter to do the same.

[emilywebster07]

I really like the idea, I am guilty of over shopping.

[Saver100]

By reducing the wear and tear on your clothes, you will keep them looking better and make them last longer. You will need to buy fewer clothes. Consider using three sets of clothes for the degree of dirt and wear:

- "1st set" of clothes for business and going out -- best looking, always clean.
- "2nd set" of clothes for inside the house -- some stains and wrinkles. Wash only when really needed.
- "3rd set" of clothes for dirty work such as gardenening, cleaning and house repairs. Rarely wash, eventualy throw out.

Wearing the clothes only as nice as necessary will save the better clothes for when you need them.

This system works best with adults who can control when they will get clothes dirty. But if children can wear "indoor clothes" (set 2) around the house, it will keep their outdoor clothes wearable much longer and reduce washing.

For example, our young boys can ruin a new shirt in one hour by, say, spilling paint, ketchup or grape juice. So, they never wear a new shirt in the house.

I can ruin a new pair of pants by kneeling once on the garage flloor. No new pants in the garage.

[goldentraders]

Originally Posted by JBinKC

I think this should be the number one answer: Maintain your weight so you don't have to continually buy new sets of clothes.

I do agree with this!!! LOLs but it's true.. But anyway i think if you really need to save, then don't buy any... and if you always want to be noticed, then wear a junk shirt and pants (many would really notice you) lols, seriously, if you are the type of person who really love to get dressed then, read the saving tips again... need not to say more duh?! ...

[yournontoxiclife]

Kmart discounts all end of season clothing to $1.99 each for clothing (here's what I got in April: pajama sets, work slacks, blouses, sweaters, dresses, bras, athletic shirts, children's sport logo shirts, children's underwear packs) and $4.99 for coats for the family!!! I know they do it twice a year, once in April, but ask next time you are there, it's truly amazing!

[maryannsms]

Buying surplus is another good idea. You can buy designer clothes with some slight flaws in them at these types of stores. You might find some minor things like a missing button, but nothing that cannot be easily taken care of. These pieces of clothing still have great quality material and, not to mention, a designer label. Prices that these items are sold for is worth spending a little time, bargaining and effort for as well.

[MarketingMama]

Originally Posted by HollyGO

This is so true. I have tried a few re sale shops and saw cute things only to pay for them, get them home and find out they were stitched wrong, ill-fitted, or plain itchy fabric.

It's a great tip I think I will always use, not only in a resale shop but elsewhere.

yeah, i've never thought to shop in the men's department OR walk around a thrift shop with my eyes closed while feeling all the fabrics!

[Junebaby]

One great way to make clothes look better is to check the sleeve and hem length. If the sleeves are too long and it's a simple hem, not a cuff, you can turn it up and do a hem stitch. If you can't sew get a friend to teach you or trade a favor. If you have an old top that's frayed on the bottom or too long pants that you wore anyway, doing a hem at the correct length will improve your appearance.
If you find a quality item at a second-hand store or clearance rack, consider finding a tailor and investing in alterations.
If you're a woman and are tired of a blouse that's still nice, replace the buttons with something different. Each button could be a different color, or just upgrade from white plastic to a nice metallic.

[shubh]

All of these are practical tips. We can save big on our purchasing bills just being a smart consumer. I try to resale old garments at the garment stores or the outlets that deal in old stuffs. Many time the clothes of elder child may fit to the junior kid.