Saving money on clothes shopping?

lessonlearned

All good advice here Jen. Supermarkets have some great clothing ranges and you can either try them on Instore or if you can't be bothered at the time, keep your receipt and the labels Intact and you can just take anything back if you are nit happy with the fit.

Charity shops, discount malls and the likes of Tk Maxx have fantastic bargains but you do have to be prepared to put in the legwork and spend some time wading through the stock.

If you need things quickly then go for the supermarkets.

Yesterday I bought 3 nice dressy tops, one pair of linen trousers and a fine knit sweater, all full price for around £60 the lot from George at Asda.

Definitely look at building up a capsule wardrobe of items in complimentary colours than you can mix and match. That way you never buy something that doesn't go with anything else.

I try to make it a rule that any item I buy can be worn with at least 3 other items in my wardrobe.

This summer my colour pallet is pale grey, white, cream, denim blue, with the odd splashes of jade, turquoise, or bright pink to accessorise and add pops of colour. So the bright colours might be a cheap t shirt, or a scarf or a piece of fashion jewellery.

You don't need lots of clothes to look good, you just need a few good basics and then dress them up or down as the occasion demands.

So a pair of nice well cut jeans or trousers can be worn with a plain top and cardigan or sweater for daytime Knocking about or a casual trip to the pub or cinema. The same trousers or jeans and simple top can be smartened up with a nice jacket. Add a scarf or some jewellery and a nice bag and you have the perfect outfit for a smart evening out, even for work - depending on their dress code of course.

Simple no fuss dressing should be your rule for all occasions and always looks chic and elegant. And it doesnt cost a fortune.

Do not be tempted to open a store account. You will pay through the nose and unless you have an iron will and can resist temptation you will end up racking up debts.

helcat26

H+M
New Look
Miss Selfridge
Warehouse
Dorothy Perkins
Gossard
all have a lot of stuff in the sale. This week I have bought underwear (gossard bra +3 thongs £18, a dress, a couple of blouses and a cashmere wrap jumper (miss Selfridges £25) all at very good prices
None of the things I bought will be out of place in the spring eg
http://www.warehouse.co.uk/!!!!!bow-blouse/all-sale/warehouse/fcp-product/02451001


In addition I search google or look on myvouchercodesuk to get free delivery or further discount
I post these for others on the discount codes and vouchers bit of this forum. eg free next day delivery miss Selfridge FRIYAY


If you d not like all these offer free returns


I do buy on ebay but after a couple of bad experiences only new

Jenwales_2

justme111 wrote: »

Sorry I do not see how come if you buying things every year at this time of the year you have very few items. Do clothes that you buy last you only one season ?

I am very fussy and I only buy one or two new things for the spring/summer. I struggle to find new things every year and do like to buy a few new tops. I only own two dresses as I only started wearing them more often last year. I buy clothes and wear them to death and end up having to buy more as they are only good for the bin.

I don't need any vest tops but I do want some new t-shirts. I have two plain ones and two gypsey tops I bought last yr or the year before, I'm not sure I like the gypsey tops now.
I wear long sleeved tops all autumn/winter.
I have bought a lot of printed tops over the years but I want to dress more feminine, I'm tired of wearing jeans and t-shirts all the time.

helcat26

Well stop agonizing over it and set yourself a budget.
If you want a change (more feminine) from what you usually buy go and try things on.
If you are that insecure that you do not know what you like go and see a personal shopper in a department store or do an online personal shopper.
Alternatively look on main groups fashion websites at their different looks and see if you like anything


For goodness sakes read back your posts and see what they sound like


Poor me
Got no clothes
Don't know what I want- I want to look different but don't like looking different
I have special tastes so nothing anyone suggests is going to please me.

tomtontom

helcat26 wrote: »

Well stop agonizing over it and set yourself a budget.
If you want a change (more feminine) from what you usually buy go and try things on.
If you are that insecure that you do not know what you like go and see a personal shopper in a department store or do an online personal shopper.
Alternatively look on main groups fashion websites at their different looks and see if you like anything


For goodness sakes read back your posts and see what they sound like


Poor me
Got no clothes
Don't know what I want- I want to look different but don't like looking different
I have special tastes so nothing anyone suggests is going to please me.


Have you considered a burka?

Harsh but very true!

WeAreGhosts

Crikey. Bit harsh ...

ShopStyle is good; you can set a budget and shop loads of stores at the same time (easier if you narrow to UK stores only).

theoretica

If you have time I would suggest a two step approach. Got to the largest department store around and look for inspiration, then once you know what you want see how to get something similar cheaply. Charity shops can be good for both inspiration and cheap as you don't know quite what you will find.

The other option would be to ask a friend with a good eye what you should be wearing and do as you are told.

savingfortomorrow

It sounds like you are a careful purchaser who considers every item you buy and wears them till they fall to bits. You might benefit from buying better quality clothes in the basics that would survive hard and multiple wears. Shops like h and m basics are a bit more expensive but last longer than primark or the supermarkets. I bought t-shirts in H and m for twice the price of primark and four years later and 100’s of washes they are perfect.

Second hand and tk maxx require a lot of impulse as buy it now or it will never be there again. This does not sound like a shopping style you would feel comfortable, initially- you can progress to this eventually.
As you appear to like to think about what you buy have a look on pintrest and decide what generally you like- dress or skirt. Shirt or top. Pick one that you like. I think better quality linen, cotton and good investment pieces that can be mixed and matched in a few colours and styles that suit you are better than disposable fashion. A decent selection of a capsule wardrobe of items that you know work for you and can be added to each year. Some of the supermarket clothes I find last a few washes and are not fit for the charity shop (and some from the same store are amazing quality – hit and miss).

Try ebay as you can consider and watch an item for a long time prior to bidding.

Jenwales_2

Didn't realise that some people on here were so judgemental and horrible!

Thanks for all replies. I did find something on ebay!

Pollycat

Jenwales wrote: »

I only shop in cheap stores but I don't have a Primark near me.
I don't buy brands or expensive clothes and don't impulse buy.
I could shop in charity shops but I'm concerned about the quality and I'm between sizes so I always have to try stuff on
I am 27, size 10-12.(14 in jeans! Hope to lose weight) I don't like bands and prefer edgy/alternative clothes to fashion. I don't have a style.

I've found some very good quality brands in charity shops - Phase Eight, Whistles etc.

And you wouldn't be buying blind - you can check that the item is little-worn before buying.
And most charity shops have changing rooms.

But it does take time - don't expect to walk into a charity shop and kit yourself out with a whole new wardrobe in one go.