// By Alexis Roberts-Kamin / / /
/ Illustrations by Viet Vu / / /
I think it’s safe to say we all want to look good, feel good, smell good and all that jazz. Whether it’s for our day-to-day wardrobe, a night out or a special occasion, dressing yourself can be costly if you don’t know where to look for the best deals. It’s easy to just assume that having a wardrobe full of the season’s most trendy pieces is going to set you back financially, but it doesn’t always have to. Fashion magazines will have spreads on how to put together ONE outfit for under $250 and call it “budget” shopping. With the right savvy you can make $250 go much further than one outfit, trust me! As someone who rarely spends over $10 on a dress, with the right frame of mind, you can really get a bang for your buck.
Splurge Only On What you Love
A great rule for shopping on the cheap is to only splurge on something that you either really love or know you will get a ton of mileage out of (odds are if you really love it you will get a ton of mileage out of it anyway). Denim is a popular item that people like to spend a little bit more on because you can wear a pair of jeans for years if they are of decent quality. However, you don’t need to feel like that means throwing down even $100 for a pair of jeans. I have had denim from department stores like J.C. Penney and Old Navy last me years and years. The cost per wear on a $20 pair of jeans that last you eight years is almost nothing.
Go the Secondhand or Discount Route
If you have a taste for premium denim and designer clothing,l but you don’t have the line of credit for it, try shopping ata secondhand or consignment store. You can often find items from top name brands that would cost over $100 for less than $30 at a place like Crossroads Trading Co. or The Buffalo Exchange. Plus, you get the added benefit that someone else has already broken them in for you! If buying things secondhand doesn’t sound appealing to you, make use of stores like Ross, Marshalls, T.J. Maxx and Burlington Coat Factory. These places also have lower priced overstocks from department stores as well as deeply discounted clearance.
The Reverse Season Method
If you live in a cold climate and are looking for decent outerwear at a reasonable price, try thrift and consignment stores during the warm seasons. A lot of people unload their cold weather gear during the spring and summer, so this is a great time to find a deal on jackets, sweaters, scarves, etc. In general, waiting until the end of a season to buy new clothes is a great way to get awesome deals. Everything will go on sale eventually, and if you have the patience to keep checking in, you will be able to get the piece you want for less just by waiting a few weeks longer. This is universally true across the board at all stores.
Coupon It Up
I know that shopping with coupons often feels like something that your grandmother is into. What used to be an inconvenience of clipping coupons and carrying them around with you has now become simplified by apps like RetailMeNot. Plenty of stores run specials and promotions practically year round, so you can find great deals, save them in the app and get reminders when they are going to expire!
Find Markdowns on Makeup
In terms of body care and makeup, stores like Sephora and makeup counters in department stores can be really pricey. Ulta is an excellent alternative that offers a mish-mash of high-end makeup lines as well as popular boutique and drugstore brands that are very affordable. In addition to that the make-up sold at H&M and Forever21 stores are cruelty-free and also very inexpensive. Bath & Body Works is often running promos and has a few big sales every year when it really pays off to stock up!
Go the Rummage Route
If you are shopping with no real end goal in mind, flea markets, swap meets and garage sales often offer plenty of hidden treasures. You can bring $20 cash to one of these types of events and come home with a lot of goodies for a very small amount of money, plus the fun experience of the treasure hunt! I have found that going to the swap meets and flea markets that are in the less trendy neighborhoods have produced some of the best finds at the lowest prices. At a garage sale I purchased a vintage Rolling Stones tour T-shirt for $1. On a morning run I came across two beautiful 1960s raspberry velvet chairs that I purchased for $25 a piece from a woman who was 
selling them in her driveway. I have purchased vintage Dior sunglasses for $3 at a local swap meet. My ultimate find was a baby blue leather Prada bag, also from a swap meet. It still had the card with the serial number on it in the inside pocket and it only cost me $1.
Make Online Shopping Work for You
Utilizing Amazon and eBay is another way to find things for less expensive. You can find anything from jewellery to bicycle parts to party supplies and more. Again, being patient comes into play as sometimes things are shipped long distances (often for free, especially on eBay), so planning ahead is important if you are buying something you know you will need by a specific date.
Be Persistent
The key to keeping your expenses low and getting the items you need and want is often being persistent and patient. There is definitely a level of hustle involved! Try a few different methods on for size and eventually you will find a method to the madness that works for you!
About Alexis: Alexis is an expert shopper living in Venice Beach, CA. She works as a stylist for StitchFix, the online personal styling service. She enjoys spending time with her husband and stepdaughter at the beach, running long distances, giving her bunnies treats and watching football.
