Clothing is one of the basic necessities of everyday living for human beings. Because we buy most of or all the clothes we wear, department stores have become a second home for many of us. We spend a lot of time looking for sales, browsing through magazines, going from one store to another, from one mall to another, looking for that perfect outfit, a dress, a pair of shoes, pants, jeans, underwear, shirts, and the assessories to compliment them. It's no wonder that the sale of clothing, shoes, and dress up, dress down assessories is a worldwide multi-billion dollar industry.
Just look at all the reasons to go shopping for clothes. They range from everyday wear, back to school for children, birthdays, parties, proms, Christmas, Easter, Passover, Mother's day, Father's day, winter, spring, summer, fall, vacations, work, hobbies, sports, and just because new clothes make you feel good about yourself and the list goes on and on.
So how can you save when you shop for shoes, clothing and fashionable assessories? Here are 10 easy tips.
•First, ask yourself some questions. Are you shopping because you need new clothes or is it because you are you a shopaholic? Is your closet full of clothes and shoes that you don't wear? If so, why did you buy them and what are you going to do with them? These are ligitimate questions.
•Make a list of what you need, as opposed to what you want, and develop a strong clothing budget and stick to it.
•Shop with cash and leave your credit cards at home.
•Look for sales in your local newspaper but don't buy anything simply because it is on sale. Remember, you are shopping for clothes you need!
•Shop for clothes that are out of season. They are normally cheaper then.
•Everyone wants to be stylish, but trends come and go. Shop for practical fashions without buying a lot of trendy clothes.
•Shop at discount stores such as TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Target, Wal Mart, and K Mart.
•Outlet stores can be good for bargain hunters but be careful. Recent reports suggest that some name brand companies are putting their names on low quality fashions and selling them in their outlet stores.
•Don't go shopping to make yourself feel good. Remember, once you buy clothes that you really don't need, you will feel worse later.
•Shopping with friends is okay, but don't let them influence your spending habits. Remember, you are on a budget.
•Always buy clothes that fit. If something is cute but it is a size smaller than you are, don't kid yourself into thinking that you are going to lose weight so you can fit it. It will be one of those items you have in your closet that you don't wear. If you decide to lose weight, lose it for yourself, not because of a cute outfit.