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I’ve been a “budget fashionista” for a while, complying with the blog, hunting out the best sales, as well as typically trying to be smart as well as deliberate with my garments budget. however last year, when the presents were unwrapped, the bubbly uncorked, as well as people were resolving to be thinner, wealthier, as well as better-looking (or something like that), I decided to take my thrifty ways to the next level. I challenged myself to purchase no new clothes for the entirety of 2009 – as well as succeeded!
Completely aghast? keep reading.
I like clothes. A lot. legend has it that I began to pick out my everyday attire at age two, since something my mother had chosen for me didn’t “mats” (I was obviously conscious of the color wheel long before I had sufficient teeth to state “ch”).
I treat clothes like souvenirs. I like to purchase them when I travel, bringing a little piece of the world house with me. Currently, my closet holds shirts from Dublin, scarves from London, a skirt as well as sunglasses from L.A., Cubs shirts from Chicago. . . it’s kind of like world Market, without the well-coordinated décor, edgy music, as well as off-brand Nutella.
And, being a great deal-hunter, I am likewise extremely susceptible to “itsareallygooddeal” disease. This disease can strike all of a sudden as well as without warning, typically within a tight radius of the space clearance racks. as well as no matter exactly how cute that $12 Target bargain is, those add up fast, as well as were leaving my closet as well full as well as wallet too, well, empty.When I state I stopped buying new clothes, “new” is truly the essential word. I still bought clothes that were new to me, just not new to the rest of the world.
I wanted to lessen the environmental effect of all those clearance rack costs sprees. If I don’t purchase a new sweater, it means somebody makes one less sweater, as well as those materials as well as energy aren’t used. The consignment shop sweater has already been made, it’s already “out there” in the world, as well as by reusing it, I decrease my resource consumption, albeit by a very, extremely little percentage. While one sweater isn’t going to make a significant difference (or for that matter a whole year of clothes) it is still something I can do, as well as in the end has changed my buying habits.
The rules of my experiment were simple. No buying new clothes. Consignment stores, thrift stores, garage sales, Ebay, as well as Craigslist were all were acceptable garments sources. In an effort to discover a new skill, I was likewise allowed to wear anything I might sew myself (which sadly turned out to be nothing). I might likewise wear anything provided to me as a gift, since I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings (and I have a guideline to never, ever turn down totally free J. Crew.)
Surprisingly, my year-long experiment was much, much easier than I expected it to be! most likely the most challenging was when I traveled to L.A. as well as had to offer with the candy-shop assortment of colorful boutiques awaiting me. I bought accessories (not forbidden) as well as sought out some great thrift stores as well as consignment shops. I didn’t get to purchase as much I would have liked, however my buying requirement was well-satisfied. For the rest of the year, I discovered a few essential thrift store jewels, as well as got innovative with exactly how I put the rest of my wardrobe together.
If I had to summarize whatever I learned this year in one word, it would be this: Ebay.I never knew what a treasure trove of fashion awaited me in cyberspace! I’ve been an avid consignment as well as thrift shopper because middle school, as well as did a great offer of thrift buying over the past year. Buying garments on Ebay, however, was a new challenge, one that took patience, appropriate measurements, as well as some much more patience.
In order to be successful, you requirement to understand your measurements as well as stick to brands you understand as well as count on (for me it’s the ever-lovely J. Crew). I would scour Ebay for the specific product I was looking for, add a lot of items to my watch list, watch most of them go out of my cost range, bid on a couple, as well as perhaps win one. It took me about two months before I lastly discovered the tall, brown boots I was looking for (new shoes weren’t off limits during my challenge, just much more than I wanted to spend). I had to purchase two pairs before I discovered one that fit (the ill-fitting pair was promptly re-listed). however in the end I ended up with a excellent pair of brand new $300 boots for $60, as well as I wear them daily.
Jeans are a bit trickier. I would suggest going to the store, discovering a brand as well as fit that you love, then scouring Ebay up until you discover a pair. I bought two carefully utilized pairs of jeans for under $12 each – so much much more satisfying than buying them out of the catalog for $100.
If the concept of purchasing an unseen, non-refundable short article of garments is a bit scary, you can still rock the consignment as well as thrift stores. While great consignment stores tend to stock newer items that are still in fashion, thrift stores are a little much more helter-skelter, however still worth the effort! If this is all new to you, right here are a few fundamental dos as well as dont’s.
Do go buying without a particular product in mind. You’ll be much more open to that fabulous plaid skirt if your heart isn’t set on one specific thing.
Don’t pick up anything that you wouldn’t purchase at full cost in the store! You’ll just end up with a great deal of ho-hum pieces you won’t wear.
Don’t purchase anything that’s not in great condition. That rules out any type of sweaters with pills, or things with holes or stains.
Do purchase vintage pieces that are back in style (if they’re in great condition), like blouses with ruffles or bows at the neck, sweetheart blazers, or skinny jeans.
Do try things on whenever possible. Most consignment as well as thrift stores ought to have dressing rooms.If they don’t, ask if you can return items with tags still intact, as well as try them on at home.
Now that my quick is over, I’m trying to choose what my new buying habits will be. While it will be truly good to walk into a store as well as purchase something I requirement rather than scouring every thrift store in town, I don’t believe I’ll be returning to my old ways any type of time soon. I still plan to consult Ebay whenever I’m looking for a new pair of jeans, as well as thrift stores can much more than satisfy any type of hint of “itsareallygooddeal” illness that may come my way.
This may be my biggest Ebay discover of the year: a brand new, tags-attached J.Crew taffeta celebration dress. overall cost? $11.50, plus a few dollars in shipping.
I bought this skirt in an LA consignment store. It’s Express, silk, as well as in ideal condition, for about $12. Consignment stores in LA are amazing.
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