What
to wear when you're broke
By Cynthia Nellis
Don't
stop buying, swap with pals
Fashion's a breeze when you've got money to blow.
But getting that fresh-from-the-runway look gets tricky when
you're short on cash.
Here's how to look good for less in a material world:
Redefine the word sale
Sounds basic, but to really save a bundle on clothes you have
to be willing to pass up enticing promotions (15% off; free
shipping; gift with purchase) and hold out for the hard-core
sales (40% off is good; 50% and up will land you a buy for
almost what it cost the retailer).
Don't stop buying
Counterintuitive? Well, think about dieting and how you pass
on sweets and carbs until you binge. Scary, but it can happen
with pent-up shopping desires, too (and credit card debt racked
up in a binge will end up costing you a fortune).
Shop in season
Sure, stuff is cheaper when bought at the end of the season
or even out of season. And that's fine if you're just looking
for any old thing to wear. But if you love fashion (and you
do, or you wouldn't be here), you should shop as close to
the season as possible. Otherwise you'll just waste your money
on trends that will be out of style by the time the next year
rolls around.
Swap with pals
Friends that wear your size (and share your taste) are a gold
mine. You can even go large scale and organize a swap meet
where everyone can switch shoes, clothes, etc.
Get rid of your inner snob
Scour second-hand and discount stores. Buy basics from the
warehouse where you buy your paper towels in bulk. If vintage
is your thing, haunt flea markets and garage sales.
Become a do-it-yourself whiz
Learn to whip together a new outfit on the sewing machine
or simply turn old jeans into a new skirt. Recycling is an
easy update: a ruffle on last year's skirt, a bow at the ankle
of three-year-old strappy sandals.
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