Prev | Next | Contents

3.0 WOMEN'S CLOTHES; DISCOUNT CLOTHES AND CLOTHING.

As a man I cannot say that I completely understand the joy that women get from clothing. But I have certainly seen the gleam in my mother's eye when she bagged a great sweater at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City or the smile on my wife's face after several hours at Loehman's.

For many women, clothing seems to be a sport, an adventure and a hobby. Many feel very passionately about the clothes they wear and the look that the clothes give them. Clothes have a lot to do with a woman's identity.

Most women fashion writers agree that a woman can spend much less on her clothes and at the same time look better. In addition, dressing and taking care of clothes can take much less time.

3.0.1 WOMEN'S CLOTHES, TAKE STOCK

Before you buy another item, check out your closet. Most experts I've read agree that a woman should look in her closet before buying anything else. Spend a day going over what you own - instead of a day shopping. Consider it shopping in your closet.

Don't agonize over your mistakes (everyone's got them). Just pull everything out. Try to see your clothes in a new way. Will a blouse go with a skirt or pants you've never worn? Mix and match in unusual ways.

After assessing what you've got, divide your clothes into groups: clothes you'll definitely wear, clothes you might wear, clothes you'll probably never wear.

Cart those clothes you'll never wear to a thrift store (and take a tax deduction), swap with your friends, give to a consignment shop or have a yard sale, but get rid of them.

Put the clothes you "might wear" in a box and store them. In six months get rid of any that you haven't pulled back out of the box and worn.

Next hang your clothes in the closet by groups (e.g. dresses, skirts, jackets, blouses, pants) and within those groups arrange by color.

Look at the clothes you've kept and the clothes you wear the most. Why do you like them? Why are you comfortable wearing them? This group of clothes makes up your "style." When you buy new clothes, buy them to go with your style

Now you've got a handle on what you own, and how it goes together.

When you add new clothes, buy with your existing wardrobe in mind. If you don't, you'll probably have to buy many other clothes to match your new ones which is very expensive.

Prev | Next | Contents