Preparing a Fall/Winter Wardrobe - Shop!!

Ok, so we've made lots of lists, spent hours trying on clothes and even more time devoted to thinking through our needs and wants.  Sounds like a lot of wasted time, right?  I know it may seem that way to some, but trust me...it helps to shop with a plan. Otherwise, you'll end up spending too much money and acquiring too much stuff.  What you choose to put on your body says something to the world. Fashion may be nowhere near the top of your priority list, but at the same time it deserves a place somewhere on your list.  This requires some thought!  Let's take a quick look today at the final two steps in my prep for fall/winter plan.

Final 2 steps:

5. Find pieces that meet my criteria (impeccable fit, quality and timelessness) and if the price is out of my budget range, make a note to continue to look for it on sale.

6. Have fun with fun money, but stick to necessary items and not "closet orphans."

 

This is the fun part of planning a wardrobe!  After figuring out what you need to buy, as well as your budget for buying, then you need to start shopping fot those items. Whether in a local store, a thrift shop or online - get busy looking for things.  Getting an item that fits well and is of quality workmanship takes time and also requires some effort. Very rarely do you just walk into a store, spot a pair of jeans on the rack in your specific color/size/length/rise and have them fit perfectly - all for an awesome price.  Most of the time, finding an item requires trying on multiple sizes and pairs, comparing various colors to see what works best with pieces you already have and then - maybe - having to wait for your item to go on sale.  There is nothing wrong with window-shopping at full price and then waiting for an item to go on sale.  You will already be assured that it fits and is just the item you want.  Yes, it's a bit risky. What if your size is gone by the time it goes on sale? If it's worth full price to you, and your budget allows, then buy at full price.  For me, I can't stand to pay full price.  If I can't get it on sale, or use a coupon for it, 99% of the time I won't buy it.  But then again, I don't have a big clothing budget so I have to get the most bang for my buck.  Finally, don't settle for things just because they're cheap!!  If you don't need it and love it, you're just wasting money that could be put to better use elsewhere.

 

Sometimes, we come into some money as a gift or from unexpected places.  If you want to put that fun money into your wardrobe, then maybe use the unbudgeted funds to purchase something off your "want" list.  Something you don't necessarily need but it might be fun to have.  Be very careful, though, to avoid the "closet orphan."  These are items that you buy because they're pretty, or because they're cheap, or because you fall in love with it - but you have nothing else to wear with it.  Think before you purchase!  If you can't pair that new "gotta-have-it" item with other items in your closet to make up 2, preferably 3, outfits then you should probably pass it by.  Every now and then you may want to purchase a "closet orphan" and are willing to invest the money into finding pieces to work with it, but if you're on a tight budget or you already have a bazillion items of clothing - a "closet orphan" is just going to sit there unused.  Right now, I have several items on my "needs" list that I have to buy in order to wear some "orphans" in my closet. Those items will sit unworn until I can find the completer pieces...which means part of my wardrobe is no longer working for me, but I am now working for it.

 

So, how did you do? Have you started working on your lists or actually shopping yet?  I can proudly say that I have knocked 2 things off my "needs" list already.  I've replaced my jeans to wear with flats (thanks Ebay) and found crisp black cotton ankle pants to replace my gross polyester "saggy butt" capris (thanks J Crew sale).  Both items were under $25 and should last me for years.  I also figured I might as well try to salvage my favorite pair of jeans that were ragged on the hem....and so I turned the hem up and hand-sewed it in place. It's not professional, but I should get another year's worth of wear out of them at least.  I also have my eye on several other items on my needs list and as the budget allows (and I find coupons), I'll be adding those to my wardrobe as well.  But I have to be honest...in the midst of shopping for my necessary items, I'm having a hard time passing by all the other good deals out there.  Oh, to be a millionaire....

 

If there's one thing I'd like to convey by sharing all this closet strategy with you, it's to think before you buy.  I am well aware that some people don't give a flip about shopping and this seems like an inordinate amount of work for "just clothing our bodies".  But anyone can think before they buy....even if your idea of shopping is running in and grabbing the first thing you see.  If you take even just a minute to think through a purchase, often you'll make a much more wise decision with your money and clothing choices.  Sometimes, it's hard to take the time to think - we want it SO badly.  That's the time to leave the store or shut down the laptop screen.  Then you can think objectively.

 

Later this week or early next week, at a reader's request, I'm going to do a post on successful Ebay/online shopping strategies.  It'll take me a while to put my thoughts together, but it should be a fun post!