by Claire
At the beginning of August I shared that we held back $300 from the small credit card payment and that I would post about that later.
This is sort of a confession I guess in that I have not planned well for a wardrobe budget. Over the past few months with my changing weight and various work related activities, it has become evident that my wardrobe is lacking. I’m confident this isn’t an “I don’t like what I have in my closet” issue but instead the product of trying to save money but ending up with a bunch of useless items that don’t have corresponding pieces.
If I could find Garanimals for Adults, I’d be their biggest customer. I wore uniforms through most of my school years, wished I could wear uniforms in college and seriously considered the military because they would tell me what to wear. I didn’t go with that option because they would tell me how to do a lot of things and back then (and a little bit now), I don’t do well being told what to do and how to do it.
I am not good at picking out clothes for work or play. That’s why I owed Ann Taylor so much money! I’d literally walk in and buy everything to assemble an outfit they had on display but then I’d get home and realize that created just that one outfit. The top didn’t go with much else…the bottoms weren’t interchangeable either and I want to be able to mix and match but not look mixed and matched! People often ask me if I want a personal assistant to manage my busy life and the answer is always know…but I dream of a personal shopper! I’d like to just stay home and have perfect outfits brought to me that always look good, are versatile, fit well and last. Well, who wouldn’t want that, right?
So the $300 is a set aside for Operation Wardrobe. I’m reaching out to good dressers that I know do so on a budget and asking them for help. Once I build up a little bit more in the wardrobe fund, we will go shopping. I know this isn’t frivilous spending because my profession does require this…but I still don’t want to spend! That’s a good thing!
Born and raised in Texas. I’ve at least driven through every state in the US courtesy of a roadtrip loving Dad.
I’m single with two children and a good parenting relationship with their father.
I am a “life is just half full of funny” kinda gal. Humor is my saving grace and I am thankful for it every single day. I have a strong Catholic faith and am thankful for that foundation.
I read a lot for a living but still enjoy a good book. I love biographies but in recent years have found the need for fun fictional books–sadly, for a long time I just didn’t enjoy fiction!
I love live theatre of any kind–from local productions to Broadway.
I love to scrapbook and pride myself in my kids’ albums.
I love being a mom but also love my career. I’m blessed to have found a balance allowing me to be at everything my kids need and want me to be at–while also having a career.
Favorite Quotes: Well behaved women rarely make history.
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. -James Bryant Conant
Consider going to a high end resale shop. I live in the Dallas area and we have a TON of great consignment shops here that sell quality clothes for much less than you would pay retail. You just have to get over wearing something preowned but if you can plan a good 3-4 hour trip to look through things and try them on, resale shops can be one of your best bets. I got a pair of high end jeans for $20 – I would have had to pay over $150 for them in the store. They still had the original tag on them! Good luck!
Contact Macys or Nordstroms personal shopping service. It is free service, you are not allowed to tip and you pay for what you buy. A lot of times they will hold things for a sale price for you as well. You tell them your budget and they will work within it and help you build your wardrobe and they have killer sales right now – and yes they will pick out sales items for you. They pick out a bunch of items, you go try them on and the whole process is about an hour long. They will choose stuff to mix and match as well – just make sure you tell them that.
Before you step foot inside of a shopping center, make sure your well-dressed friend who will help you shop spends some time in your closet. I am like you in that I can’t match clothes to save my soul. My roommate is able to pair things in my closet for me quite well.
Also, are you trying to have different things to wear every single day? I know some people can go weeks without rewearing clothes, but for the clothing challenged among us, it doesn’t hurt to have a more or less uniform. I wear pretty much the same thing M-F every week. Most people don’t notice and the ones who do are more than welcome to buy me clothes out of their own budgets.
Haha I’m going through this same issue now too. My outfits for work consist of black slacks and a nice colored top and simple accessories. I always read a good tailor is the most important part of a wardrobe and good ones costs a pretty penny. I think my shape is not meant to wear most pants of the rack so buying them for me is such a headache. Seriously I have been looking since Monday just to add 2 new pair to my wardrobe because all my other pants are over 10 years old and starting to look it. Why can men pull a pair of Dockers off the rack put them on and look fine?! Good luck and Happy Shopping 🙂
I’m sure a lot of people are going to tell you not to shop, but I know the confidence one can feel when you wear clothes that are the right size and that you feel comfortable in. Even when trying to get rid of debt you have to treat yourself. Here are some blogs that I really like that also happen to dress on a budget – Fab Finds Under $50, Kendi Everyday, & Penny Chic. Good luck!
Before you step into a store take a day to go through your closet and try EVERYTHING on. Set aside anything that doesn’t fit today and toss anything in bad condition. Then take them out of your closet and store them somewhere else or donate.
Take inventory of what is left. Try to match outfits and write down what you need to make combos work. This will keep you from buying double, not buying needed items. Then go forth and shop confidently knowing exactly what you need. Better to have a few great pieces that you feel awesome in and look good than a closet full of stuff that doesn’t fit.
I would be right behind you in line for the Garanimals for Adults! While I’ve never worn a uniform, I would so totally do it just to avoid the hassle of deciding what to wear every day. You need to check out Jen’s website, Balancing Beauty & Bedlam. she has a Frugal Fashionista tab, and I am continually amazed – and jealous – of all of her fabulous thrift finds. I like the idea of having a fashion-savvy friend tagging along, too (I would need one to go with me as well).
Consignment and resale shops.
Get measured and buy only things that FIT and have classic styles that you can keep a few years, especially if this is for work. If it doesn’t fit right you won’t wear it and it’s just a waste. I usually buy a little better quality for more money just for this reason. It fits right and then I wear it. Things I stay away from:
Kohls, tj max, Marshall’s, goodwill, jcp.
If you know your exact measurements you’ll find a lot more stuff. I did have luck at goodwill select, not sure if you have those.
You can create uniforms yourself! I do. All winter long, I wore black, charcoal and navy pants with turtlenecks that were light gray, dark gray, light blue, dark blue, charcoal, black, white, cream and red (all bought from LLBean and Land’s End at 14.99 or less). When I need to look a bit sharper, I have three jackets that go with the pants.
In the summer, I have five pairs of neutral colored pants that I wear with neutral colored shirts. I also happen to have three white shirts that I wear with jackets when I have to. If I had to dress blindfolded, the tops would match the bottoms 95% of the time.
In my country (Turkey) my size (24) is a difficult one and there are only a handful stores that I can buy from. I am also 5.9 which is pretty tall for my country. So, I keep my eyes open during the sales periods for tops and pants and order the turtlenecks through the Internet. I also try to visit the US every 2-3 years to shop.
LET ME HELP YOU!
I’m seriously not kidding. We can work together. Send me images and pictures. Then I’ll ask for measurements.
Not to toot my own horn but I have been setting quite the fashion trends in my office and I have had people beg me to help them find clothes. I absolutely adore personal shopping for others.
Also, I’m quite the BARGAIN shopper too!
Last week, for $52, I bought two pairs of ballet flats and THREE dresses for $52!!! (Free shipping, found a $10 discount and everything!)
If you need assistance, you should be able to get my e-mail from this. I’d love to help … and I’ll do it for free since I love reading your blog.
I would totally go for a Garanimals for adults! There used to be a store called Units which was all knit separates that went together. It was so easy to get dressed in the morning. I really hate to think about what I’m going to wear and Units made it so easy.
This post cracked me up….I have often thought about starting a “hip for cool moms garanamals line…” I swear for a couple of years I wore nothing but black and white….Being able to pull things out of the closet and look stellar is a little bit of a skill, but it is not that hard…It also doesn’t require a huge investment..It does require knowing what you like or don’t like..(I will never buy another turtleneck or wool sweater, simply doesn’t work for me), what you are comfortable in…(Like the shoes you go back to all the time…I go back to ankle length pants and great skirts)and great accecories..you can wear the same outfit twice a week by the changing the belt and shoes..please report what you’ve purchased when the time comes! I’m curious!!!Have fun, sounds like a solid plan.
PS…reading Lucky Magazine changed the way I dress..its filled with great advise, clothing at various price points (always a budget section) and most importantly –how to style what you have…again have fun!
Go to thrift stores. I helped someone build a nice wardrobe (she’s a manager of a federal agency) entirely from several trips to Goodwill.
Also, until you have more money and until you learn to dress yourself better (meaning you get a better sense of style), keep things incredibly simple so everything matches and you have a sort of uniform. For example, you can wear 1 pair of black pants and 1 pencil skirt in black for weeks and weeks and no one will ever figure out you’re wearing the same clothing. Get a couple of black bottoms, and maybe 1 other color of bottoms, and then get affordable tops in solid colors that go with everything.
This site http://theviviennefiles.blogspot.com/ basically shows you how to make up garanamals for women on your own. She takes four to eight very basic pieces and a handful of accessories shows you all the combinations that can be created.
Focus on investing in QUALITY on this one, not price. Does you no good if it’s going to fall apart after the first wash. Consignment shops are good route, especially ones in more affluent areas of your town. TJ Maxx, Marshall and Stein Marts are also budget friendly if you have these in your area.
I would also suggest you focus on the neutrals. Blacks, navy, brown, tan, white…. they go with just about everything. Find some key pieces like blazers, skirts or pants in these colors with quality fabrics and use your tops and accessories for color. Go cheap with accessories so you’re not paying a lot for trends. Same way with tops.
Also.. three words: Little. Black. Dress. 😉
I know you have mentioned Flylady before, Misses Smarty Pants is a blog she used to talk about quite a bit, it helps you find your style and pick out clothes. Here are the url’s http://www.missussmartypants.com/ and http://missussmartypants.blogspot.com/
Thank you everyone! I wasn’t expecting such a great response and with such awesome tips! I am feeling the love…and I will act responsibly, I promise! For all this debt, it is odd that is wasn’t created on shopping for quality clothes. Odd and sad all at the same time. Thanks again!
Now THIS is the real lesson here. With all the debt and spending and store cards and stress over the years, you still don’t feel like you have much of value in your wardrobe. The moral of the story is that debt spending may not get you what you think it does. when we justify it (well i need to put it on the credit card to afford the higher price because it’s better stuff), the justification starts to crumble later.
i’m definitely not preaching at you because i know you already agree with me here, but just pointing out the lesson for any other curious eyeballs and also maybe even to remind myself.
Once a year I visit the White House Black Market Outlet. For about $500 I get a whole new wardrobe. The best part is everything is black or white and it’s so easy to mix and match everything, even from year to year. A few years ago they started introducing an “accent” color. Last year’s was a fuschia, this years was cobolt, so there is a little color in there too.
My fashion “splurge” is I take my work clothes to seamstress who tailors everything too me. It makes my $500 wardrobe look much more expensive. It’s total worth it to me as I work in an environment which most people are in suits everyday and I want to look as professional as they do.
I work in the fashion industry, and really need to look good (like I know what I’m doing) when I have a meeting. Here’s what I do:
-Think sophisticated – never trendy.
-Look at fashion magazines (at the library, at a friend’s house, in a store). I know they seem silly (and they are), but you will find inspiration in those pages, guaranteed. Whatever your style, you will find something that will interest you. It could be as simple as a striped shirt, but it will make you feel stylish. Feeling stylish is being stylish. Don’t second guess it.
-When you bargain shop (my fave is Salvation Army) always look at the tags BEFORE you look at the item. Only buy excellent brands. It matters. I have bought Donna Karan, Armani, Diesel, Brooks Brothers, Faconnable, etc. at our little local SA.
-Buy BLACK. Black always looks good (okay, I know I’m from the east coast, but I really think it’s true)! It matches everything and manages to look sophisticated from season to season (unlike, say, turquoise). Other neutrals are great – gray and brown are favorites of mine. If you want color, go for a bright tank top,
Keep your shoes sophisticated, too. Don’t go overboard with bright colors there either. Black, brown, tan are best. Figure out what you want and buy on line for the best deals. I wouldn’t shop for shoes at a cheap store. I have found new Ferragamo shoes at SA. Keep your eyes open!
All that said, wear what you like. Most days I wear jeans and a tank. When it’s hot I wear a dress or lightweight pants from Patagonia.
Good luck! Feel free to ask questions.
When you go shopping with someone who can match clothes take photos of the different combinations and keep them as reference. I am not too bad at matching various pieces of clothes. However, I can’t for the life of me match shoes.
like the consignment shop and salvation army ideas but my favourite suggestion is to go to a store that has a free personal shopper, a really great idea. A personal shopper will also be colour aware (excuse the spelling I’m an Aussie).
Ohhhhh I like this idea…
I like the idea of setting aside a budget for shopping for clothes. The previous posts and comments offered some great advice on where to get the most bang for your buck. It is never good going into debt because it makes you feel much worse afterwards.