Budget Buying & Creating

Now that Christmas is over, I know I am at least feeling a little broke here. But for those that still need clothes, and don't have much in the bank, here's the perfect blog for you.

1. Look through your closet. Pull out everything you haven't worn in a while. You can do this to those clothes:
a) Look at it and decide you like it. Keep it. Maybe you like it, but it's not quite in style. Well, here's your chance to work it into an outfit. Then, you can have your own fresh style in your wardrobe, and not be constantly sick of the girls that seem to all be wearing the same thing, or all have the same fashionable items on.
b) Revamp it. Maybe it isn't quite long enough anymore, or it's huge. You can cut-up old t-shirts to fit you and have awesome knots and designs. Or maybe something you own is a tad too short but you like it. Use some other fabric and lengthen it into a new shirt. Just revamping it will give you a new wardrobe!
c) Throw it away. Do you really want to waste that closet space? Probably half of the time when you go shopping, you don't know what you need. You think you have your basic t-shirt, or sweater, and skip out on buying a nice new one, instead buying something you really don't need. Giving your old clothing to Goodwill will help other people out, and give you a new chance to see what you need for basics and the like.

2. Go through your parents clothing. (or friends! or siblings!)
I do this all the time. My mother's kept clothes from before 1970! Jewelry too! But, you know your parents can't wear all that of their wardrobe in a day. When my mom realizes she doesn't want things of hers anymore, I scour through her piles of giveaway stuff and take what I like. This gives you another chance to revamp too! My Dad's given me 2 really cool hats before as well. Your friends might want to borrow some of your clothes, and you theirs. Why not switch it up and feel like you have a fresh look from that?

3. Goodwill/Salvation Army/Crossroads/Buffalo Exchange....
The possibilities are endless with this one. Although it might intimidate some people to do this, why not just spend a bit of time in the store looking around for some cool pieces. If it's missing a button but you really like it, don't despair. Buttons are an easy fix. You can find some of the best pieces second hand, without breaking the bank. One item my mom found and was given to me was an old Armani bright red cardigan. They didn't know what they had! And the seam ripped, but it was an easy fix. It's also one of my favorite cardis.

4. Sales
I'm not just talking about after Christmas here. In January in general, there are TONS of sales. Shops have to clear out their 2007 merchandise, so the sales are wonderful. Also, many people are done with shopping for a while, after all that Christmas- and somewhat after Christmas mayhem.

5. Discount Stores
So I love places like Nordstrom Rack, Off Saks 5th Ave., Neiman Marcus Last Call, Marshalls, TJ Maxx. Don't be nervous about the piles of clothes or the fact that it might be discounted because it's ugly. I've found such amazing steals. And look through lots of sections, not just "Juniors" or "Women". People love to put the wrong sizes and clothing in the incorrect areas.

:)