Eight ways to dress for money's sake

 "I love America, and I love American women. But there is one thing that deeply shocks me--American closets. I cannot believe one can dress well when you have so much."

-Andree Putman

A wardrobe is quite an easy thing to concoct for one's self...online that is. My Pinterest-closet is the most amazing thing you've ever clamped eyes on--I could dress the world out of it. Only...I can't. That's right. Though I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to fabulous wearables, My clothing is somewhat limited on behalf of budget and that-shirt-is-perfectly-good-even-if-it-isn't-flattering kind of things.

So what's a girl to do when she's inspired for fashion and has a very slim budget? I'll give you my tips on how to dress well without emptying your pockets and exhausting yourself. All you will need is a good eye, a deal of patience, and a bit of money.

 
1.} When sorting through your current clothing, don't keep anything that you don't wear. Chances are if you haven't worn it yet, you never will.Instead, get that clothing out of your drawers so you don't sit there staring at a stuffed dresser wondering what in the blue blazes there is to wear. Makes a person feel stupid to do that.

2.} Shop at thrift-stores and consignment shops: really, this is oughtta be Rule Number One. Sure you feel like you need to bathe in flea solution after coming into contact with some of them, but you've gotta admit that when you're shopping at most thrift stores you've got all the rich, pitying people donating their designer clothes. I'll admit that some thrift-stores are pointless to go to. Visit a few around your area and learn which ones have the clothes and which don't. Generally the shops in rural areas just won't be that great. Instead, look for thrift-stores near the posh parts of a city--chances are the wealthy folks around town will be dropping off all their cast-aways here. I think it's safe to say that....90% of my wardrobe is made of hand-me-downs or thrift-store clothes. It's the way we've rolled for years.

3.} Don't buy it unless you are absolutely certain you'll wear it: This is something I've had to train myself to do. I'll find a shirt or skirt and put it in my basket because it'll work, but when I look at it five minutes later I give it a good going-over. Does this color look good on me? Does this style look good on me? Will I actually wear it? Sometimes the shirt or skirt is just plain ugly. Don't stress about not buying it--you'd do much better to save your five dollars and spend it on something you'll actually get some use out of. We all have that graveyard-in-the-closet where those bad choices dwell. It's full enough already.

4.} When buying new clothes, keep in mind the clothes you already have: Mama taught me a long time ago to be wise in choosing clothes, even if it fits and it's pretty. Sometimes I'll pick up the most beautiful skirt but after considering it, I realize I have nothing that would match with it, it isn't a very versatile thing, and unless I am okay wearing the same exact outfit eight times to church this summer, I really shouldn't buy it. It's hard to do, but in the end when you consider everything you could do with a different item, you'll cheer up.

Someday when you marry that millionaire you can splurge. ;)

5.} Think simple, then snazzy: If you've got the chance to buy four items of clothing, pick three that are simple, multipurpose colors/styles, and one accent piece. You'll find you can stretch out your out-fits pairing the things you have at home with these new pieces. While the accent pieces are fun and necessary, if you bought four accent pieces you might find you didn't have anything to match and instead of opening up a whole new batch of possibilities, you'd limit yourself severely in comparison.

 The striped skirt could be the accent piece you buy, but the grey top can be re-purposed so many ways!

6.} Accessorize as much as you can: (And no, I don't mean all at once.) Look for belts, long necklaces, sweater, shrugs, vests...anything you can think of that is versatile and will change the look of an otherwise drab outfit.

The neat thing about most accessories is that you can wear them with multiple outfits and if you look hard enough they are not expensive. (and necklaces and belts are not that expensive to begin with!) You'll be surprised how much wider your range of outfits will be just by introducing a new piece or two.

7.} Watch the sales racks: this is an area I haven't explored much because I don't have time to frequent Cato and Belk and other stores that have great sales. But many of my girl-friends tell me that the sales can be killer if you just lurk around long enough. I imagine this would be a fabulous time to get some of the things you'd not be able to afford otherwise. Splurge on a bit of a wild, works-with-one-outfit kind of thing here!

8.} Blink, wink, and think: Sometimes you get to the point where there is not a red cent to your name and you're sick to death of every outfit you've put together. Now is the time to get creative with the clothes you do have. Set out some of your clothes in their usual outfits. Then separate them into piles of tops and bottoms. Try mixing and matching and see what you come up with. Often you'll find a color combo you'd never have thought of! (stay tuned to see the Blue Peacock Whimsy outfit I rummaged up a few Sundays ago.) The important thing here is not to over-think it. Cross your eyes if you have to. But I guarantee that you'll come up with something wearable.

I hope these pointers have aided you in remembering to dress well even when you feel poor as Job's turkey! What are some of your tips and tricks? <3