Style on a shoestring

Ballymackeonan

I've been dressing on a tight budget since a business crisis a few years ago, now it's become a lifestyle, so I'm passing on some of my tips, and I'm sure that other OS'rs can add to them! For starters....

TK Maxx
Always useful for a root around, especially in the clearance section. Get to know your designer labels - I've found a lot of good Italian jackets, etc in the plus sizes clearance because they've been mislabelled -an Italian 46 is a UK 14.

Vintage/Charity shop
I wear a lot of vintage, especially 1950s, because it suits me - I'm 5'2" and people were shorter then! I've got most things from charity shops, some off Ebay.

Always look for quality - things like:

• a pleat in the back lining of a jacket, or a silk lining
• hand-finished or bound buttonholes
• a lot of hand-work, like stitching round lapels, hand-beading or embroidery
• really good buttons, not mass-produced plastic!
• good materials - silk, merino wool, cashmere

Even if you don't recognise the label, these are always signs of a good-quality garment.
Most natural fibres can be washed, to be safe hand-wash in something gentle like Woolite. But condition is important, so examine carefully before you buy for things like moth-holes or underarm staining which can't be put right! Also make sure all the buttons are there, and well attached - you may not be able to find matching ones.


And in general....
Don't buy anything just because it's a bargain. If it doesn't go with anything in your wardrobe, you'll end up having to buy something to go with it, or it will just hang there.. I usually work on the principle that anything I buy has to be wearable with 3 things I have already. And if it doesn't suit, what's the point? Go shopping with an honest friend!

Rummer

That is sound advice, any other tips?