Prev | Next | Contents

DISCOUNT CLOTHES AND CLOTHING

1.0 HOW TO BUY CLOTHES - OVERVIEW

Experts say we spend 10% of our income on clothes. For a typical family today, making $30,000, that works out to $3000 per year.

These same experts say we waste about a third of that money, or $1000 a year. Why? When we get the clothes home, we find they don't fit just right, the color is wrong, or the style doesn't go with anything we have. All of us, I'm sure, have clothes in the back of the closet that we haven't worn in years. Some outfits even have the original price tag still on them.

Every family might save $1000 a year just by being more careful and also returning any clothes than aren't right.

In addition you may to able to buy clothes for less with the tips in this issue of $avvy Discount$, saving you another $500.

So with a little care your family could save $1500 a year just on clothes. Now that's real money.

1.0.1 GENERAL TIPS

Since color, size and style are the main reasons for clothes remaining in the closet, here are some tips to help you make better choices when you buy.

== Color

As a photographer for over 20 years, I know how tricky lighting and color can be. It is very hard to judge the color of a shirt or skirt under a store's fluorescent lighting. Our perception of color also changes depending on the surrounding colors. This means that a certain shade of pastel yellow might look great in the store and not so good in your home. It is especially difficult if that skirt has to match a jacket you have at home in the closet.

== Wear the clothes you want to match

Since most new clothes must go with other clothes you own, I suggest that you wear those clothes to the store, if possible, or bring them with you in a shopping bag.

Bringing your clothes with you solves a host of problems. You can not only check on the color match but also how the style and fit of the new garment matches.

== Clothes are made to move with you

Don't just stand in front of a mirror, move around. Before you buy a pair of trousers that fit you in the dressing room, walk back and forth, sit down, kneel, bend, reach up.

Never buy clothes that are too tight because you plan to lose a few pounds.

== Clothes that really fit

Although there are standard sizes, every manufacturer has its own unique way of cutting fabric. If you find one make of clothes that fit your particular body, then keep buying from that company. It's a bit like getting tailored clothes for ready-made prices.

For example, I've found that turtle necks from Land's End fit me while the exact same size from another well known company does not fit -- the sleeves are too long.

Prev | Next | Contents