Clothing Charity Shops: Two Tips to Getting the Most for Your Money
Looking good on a budget has never been too easy. And perhaps that’s why we choose to go to a high street store or mall because it is quicker, simpler and less painful on the nerves. But in these cash-strapped days when the bottom line of our home accounting software seems to be dwindling towards the red every month, it is time to recycle the clothing of others.
It doesn’t have to be a miserable experience of dealing with second best. Done the right way, charity shopping can be very productive. You just need to know how to go about it.
Get Altering
If you go into the charity shop with the idea that you are going to find an off the peg style and fit that is going to be exactly right, then you are going to be disappointed. Unlike a normal store, the same design doesn’t come in a range of fits depending on your body shape. It’s more like you are shopping for a unique article that is going to need some fixing up. So get used to the idea that you are going to need to alter it.
In which case you the best thing to do is to buy bigger, and not smaller. It’s obvious come to think of it, but if you just about squeeze into something, with the thought that you can always ‘let it out’ then you aren’t going to have that much to play with. But if you buy bigger, then you can have it taken in.
So, the next thing to think about is whether or not you know a friendly seamstress. Chances are there is someone in your network of friends who has their own sewing machine, and has made clothes in the past. Perhaps it is a new skill you could learn? There may be a tailor store in your town – in the UK there is a chain of small businesses who deal with such things, but also a number of supermarket drycleaners will oblige their services. You might just need to ask.
Before You Go, Get Clued Up As To What’s Cool
If you regularly look at the store fashion magazines (or, cheaper, watch the net for new and upcoming styles), then you will soon be aware as to what is coming into fashion and what is going out. It’s also true to say that fashion comes, goes, and comes back again – and it seems to be doing so faster and faster. And what with the trends towards authentic retro looks if you can shop just before things get really trendy and expensive, then you can pick up a charity store bargain which will put you at the centre of fashion. So the chances are that someone somewhere will have just thrown something out that is about to come back into fashion, and you can capitalise on that!
It’s also true that there are a few timeless classics. Lace, for example, is always very feminine and white lace matched up with some great bold coloured accessories is bang up to date.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.