No more lattes, no more shopping, no more trips to the hair salon? Are they CRAZY? This whole "economic crisis" is really starting to get on my nerves. The media loves the doom and gloom--makes for great headliners and tickers at the bottom of the screen. I've put myself on a strict low-CNN diet so that I don't get swept up in economic-crisis-mania. Sure, the market has seen better days, but the one thing I know is that we'll come out of it soon enough...as long as everyone keeps their head. The media makes every big event seem like the "end of days." So, what can I do to keep myself sane, appropriately indulged, and looking fabulous, YET still remain financially responsible? Here are some tips...
1. Make sure you really give your closet the clean-out each season so you can properly determine what you NEED. Make sure you distinguish between your "needs" vs. your "wants" and fulfill your "need" list first. You should make sure you always have strong foundational pieces that will tie your wardrobe together (great jeans, a classic pencil skirt, sleek trousers etc.).
2. If you have old clothes that you don't wear or don't fit you, remind yourself to take them to a donation center (or if you are ambitious take them to the resale shop for some quick cash). This helps other people, and visually cleans up your closet so you know what you have, and you WEAR what you have!
3. Make sure you really love what you buy. There is no reason you have to stop shopping entirely, but make sure when you buy something, that you really love it. I use to have a bad habit of buying stuff on sale that I didn't really love...I felt great that I got an awesome deal, but since I was more crazy for the deal than the actual item, it sat in my closet. Buy what you love and you'll wear it enough to make it worth it!
4. Buy quality. Cheap clothes are cheap, which is nice, but they are also cheap, which is not so nice. They don't feel as good, wear as well, or fit as well. If you must buy less, then buy less, but don't go cheap across the board. It is fine to throw in the item here and there that you pick up (I've been known to buy a tank or two at Target), but ask yourself whether you'd rather have 10 cheap things, or 2 really amazing pieces that you'll actually keep for years! Cheap clothes usually only last a season before they look tired, but a really nice piece will hang in your closet for years and years.
5. Make sure the fit is right. Is it comfortable? Does it pinch anywhere? Are there a long list of things you'd have to alter to make it work? Even if you love everything else about it, fit is key, and without a good fit you have to pass it up. Sometimes fit is tricky, ask for help when fitting jeans in particular! Make sure you know what to expect with possible shrinking issues or anything else that might change the fit.
6. Enjoy buying yourself something. Don't feel guilty and if you are overridden with guilt, then don't buy it. If you are going to spend a little money on yourself make sure you thoroughly enjoy it...don't beat yourself up, stress out about it, or go into a pit of buyer remorse depression because of it. Clothes are fantastically fun, and you deserve some fun, so enjoy it fully!
When we do the buying at Melange we really try to think about the value in the item from all angles. The value based on quality, based on style, based on fit, based on usability. I look at each thing I order and ask myself "is this something I would spend money on?" I'm pretty picky, and I don't like to part with money without a good reason. Clothes certainly are a good reason, but not just any clothes. It has to be clothing I feel great in, that feel good to the touch, have a modern style that will stand the test of time...clothing I will actually WEAR vs. just hang in my closet. I want to put on my clothes and feel GREAT in them. I definitely don't plan on letting the economic state of the country cramp my style :-)!
Signed, ME {lv}
