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Before you can show off your new sense of style, you have to purchase the clothes first, and that can be expensive. But you don’t have to have a million-dollar budget to flaunt a sense of fashion that will impress and turn heads from the boardroom to the beach. It’s just a matter of knowing where to shop for affordable fashions that fit into your budget. Hit the Outlets for Deep Discounts on Designer Fashions. Retail outlet stores are famous for their affordable styles in clothing. Quality clothing outlets feature brand name styles at considerable savings off what you can buy them for in department stores. Look for outlets that offer your preferred brands. Even if you have to drive out of town to find a good selection of outlet retailers, you’ll still earn savings that make it well worth the drive. Shop Off the Beaten Path for Savings on Stylish Clothing. If you don’t mind wearing previously owned styles, visit local consignment shops for bargain finds. Most consignment shops accept only select garments with minimal, if any signs of wear. These types of stores are often valuable resources for clothing that you don’t wear everyday. Why spend $500 on an outfit for an evening when you can buy it for $100? Check your local newspapers for yard sale ads as well. Although not all yards sales are going to have the types of clothing in which you’re interested, some of them will. Yard sale ads often mention what is going to be for sale and some even list a phone number. It only takes a minute to call and see what they might be offering. You could even be lucky enough to get first dibs on some pieces in your size and style. Church bazaars and sales held by charitable organizations often yield great bargains in higher-end quality clothing. These types of sales usually offer great buys in stylish clothing for both men and women. If you know someone who is a member of the group having the bazaar, you may even have the chance to shop early before the day of the sale. Log On to the Internet for Bargains in Fashionable Styles. Nearly all traditional retailers and department stores have taken their sales online. Instead of driving all over town to save money, visit their web sites. Even if you don’t find exactly what you want initially, take the time to register or sign up for a newsletter at these web sites. This way, you’ll get e-mail alerts regarding special sales, discounts and exclusive online savings offers. Since online retailers don’t have the costs associated with operating a traditional bricks and mortar store, they can pass these savings on to their customers. Look for offers that include free shipping to maximize your savings. Place Your Bid for the Latest Styles at Bargain Prices. In additional to online retailers, the Internet has given us the online auction venue, which can net big savings on clothing. Visit auction web sites for discounted quality styles. You’ll find both new and used fashions at varying prices. Simply decide how much you are willing to pay for a particular item and enter your bid. This doesn’t guarantee that you’ll win the auction, but it does put you in the running for stretching your budget. In addition to knowing where to shop for affordable clothing, it is just as important to know how to shop. There is a od to finding the clothes you want at a price you can afford. Use the following money saving tips to maximize the dollars spent on updating your wardrobe. Timing is Everything. You’ll find the biggest savings on fashions at the end of the season. This is when department stores offer deep discounts on all their current stock to make room for the upcoming season’s latest trends. Although savings may vary from store to store, late-December through February typically offers the best values in winter styles. Shop after Labor Day to get the best values on summer attire. July is generally the best month for buying formalwear at budget prices. All the proms, spring dances and June weddings have passed, so stores specializing in these types of clothes offer incredible deals on spring and summer styles. Try shopping in March to stock up on formalwear in winter styles. Retailers are trying to make way for the latest spring styles and mark down winter styles considerably. Make Friends. This is where you get to use your charming personality to maximize your clothing budget. Most sales associates work on commission, so they want you to buy from them. Make it a point to chat with associates when they offer assistance in helping you find something. Let them know what you want to buy and how much you’re looking to spend. You’ll be amazed at how often they can help you find just what you need. Although we don’t like to think of ourselves as being grouped or categorized by our age, it does happen. This doesn’t mean that a sales associate who is much younger or older than you won’t do as much to help you, but the fact is, we are naturally drawn to people our own age. Ask for help from an associate who appears to be close to your age. Take the time to visit smaller stores that aren’t part of a mall or national chain. What they don’t offer in large amounts of merchandise, they supplement in customer service. They go the extra mile to make customers happy in order to be able to compete with larger stores. Be personable and friendly with associates. As a regular customer of smaller stores, you’ll often be privy to inside-information on upcoming markdowns and discounts. Many smaller clothing stores offer free lay-away plans and free alterations as well, which amounts to extra savings for you. Don’t Charge It. As convenient as credit cards are, using them to purchase clothing actually defeats your purpose. Sure, you have the instant personal fulfillment of a new wardrobe, but you don’t save money. The discounts you receive on the clothes can quickly be eaten up by the interest rates and finance charges on your credit cards. If at all possible, stick to cash and debit cards for buying the latest styles. Even if you feel a little pinch in your clothing budget initially, you always benefit by paying cash. Regardless of your taste in clothes, you can usually find affordable styles at prices that meet your budget. If may take a little effort initially, but you can become a savvy shopper if you’re willing to try. Remember these money saving tips for making the most of your clothing budget. You’ll look just as stylish as if you had paid full price and no one will ever know the difference. - Shop the outlets instead of department stores.
- Shop consignment shops, yard sales and bazaars.
- Shop Internet retailers.
- Shop online auctions.
- Shop during the off-season.
- Shop smaller stores and get to know the associates.
- Shop with cash or debit cards.
_____________________________________ By Angelina Jordan
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