Dressing well does not have to mean maxing out your credit card.

So how do I look chic and modish for less?

First:
Your checklist for savvy shopping

~ Know yourself. Be honest about what style flatter your body type best and appropriate for your age

~Redefine the idea of a “bargain”. A low price doesn’t necessarily equal a good buy, especially if you never wear the item

~ Think of shopping as a treasure hunt. Smart, cost-conscious shoppers live to find that diamond in the rough.

~Shop often (within reason of course). Even if you don’t need anything, frequenting the stores on a more than “every six months” will educate you about style and what’s out there.

How to shop:

Invest in the classics
The pros agree: you need to see those classic “never go out of style” pieces like an investment. You will spend more on a great coat, black pant, good basic handbag, even your denim. “To save money, figure out which pieces you need for your lifestyle and then shop sales to find them, says celebrity stylist Kate Young. “You will avoid having a closet full of stuff that you only wear once.”

Your closet should be 70 percent classics, 30 percent trends. When buying a few choice trendy pieces shop cheaper- Forever 21, etc.

“Think about the cost per wear. If you see a black dress you love, divide the price by the number of times you’ll wear it. This equation forces you to think of the value. If you got something on sale for $5 but you don’t use it, you just wasted $5.” -Kathryn Finney, author of How to Be a Budget Fashionista

Check the fundamentals first:
When second hand shopping or even at your favorite boutique, one of the most important strategies for searching for quality it checking the fundamental construction of the garment. Is the stitching good quality? Are the buttons cheap or loose? While replacing them could alter the piece- if the stitching is not good quality it doesn’t matter how cute the piece might be. It’s time to move on!

Anticipate Sales:
Most department stores mark down merchandise six to eight weeks after it his the floor. End of the season sales are also fabulous…keep your eyes out for classics that will work for next years season. Bathing suits, coats and boots are especially good.

Take Notes:
I was shopping with two of my friends, Harlan and Jocelyn Edlin (our Director of Photography) last week at Nordstrom and I absolutely fell in love with a pair of denim jeans there. This is where taking notes can really pay off. Bring a notebook along when shopping and jot down the SKU, UPC or style number and the designer or retailer name. Then look it up online and see if you can find it a better price. I’m still looking for my denim, but I’m confidant that my “notes” will pay off. =)

Mix it up:
The smart shopper knows how to pair a quality/designer piece with affordable pieces to create you own look while maintaining that classic look. Wear you quality bag and necklace with a cheap dress…get the picture?

To you my readers: Do you have any shopping secrets? Tips, techniques? What do you consider a good steal?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 31st, 2007 at 1:21 pm and is filed under Personal Style. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.