Back to School Shopping – Restock Your Closet Without Breaking the Bank
August 15, 2011
With fall just around the corner, the Back to School shopping frenzy has begun. Even if you aren’t going back to school, there is always a feeling of renewal, and getting back to routines in September, so why not join in on the fun and do some Back to Fall shopping yourself? To help you keep from getting carried away, here are some tips to ensure you refresh your wardrobe style without going overboard:
Take stock.
Make good use of a rainy Saturday or Sunday (or a lull in your summer schedule) and finally clean out your closet. Choose which items you want to keep and which items you want to donate. A good rule of thumb … if you haven’t worn it in over a year, consider donating it!. Figure out which pieces you have (and love) and which things you are missing. Seeing everything all laid out will make it easier to determine the gaps in your closet.
Decide on a budget.
This step is non-negotiable. The only way to ensure you stay within what you can afford is if you decide on a budget and stick to it. Shopping is a rush, but your purchases will lose their lustre at the sight of a credit card bill a month later that you can’t pay off in full.
List it.
Look through items you need from your closet overhaul and make a list. Now, compare your list with your budget. If you can’t afford everything on your list, highlight two to three items that you really need and save the rest for another time – or for end of season sales!
Shop!
Bring your list and go to stores that fit within your budget price range. It’s great to try on a wonderful piece of designer clothing, fall in love with it, but if you can’t afford it, it will just make everything else pale in comparison. Stick within your parameters and find things that you love and can afford.
Edit.
Bring all your purchases home. Try them on with the existing items in your wardrobe and see how they look. If they all work – congratulate yourself on a job well done! If not, return the ones that aren’t cutting it and keep an eye out for them on future shopping trips to round out your closet.
Back to school shopping can be fun without breaking the bank. Let us know how you fare in rounding out your wardrobe for fall.
