Beauty on a budget - Part 2: Clothing
Last time we talked about inner beauty - the most important and least expensive way to be beautiful on a tight budget. Today, we're going to move on to another subject which makes a big difference in appearance, at least according to me: Clothes.How do you have a great wardrobe on an miniscule budget? I'm not some fashion queen, but I do try to dress well and I do it on very little. Here are my personal "secrets":
Keep it simple. Like my mom used to say, "How many outfits can you wear at once?" Think about it, the more clothes you have, the more time it takes. You have to spend time picking out what to wear from all those different clothes. You have to spend more time keeping them organized. You have to spend more time keeping them laundered, ironed, dry cleaned, and so forth. Streamline your wardrobe and it will not only save you time but it will save you money as well.
Buy versatile clothes. Unless it's for a special occasion, don't buy something which can only be worn one way, with one thing. Buy things which can be mixed and matched. This allows you to have a simple wardrobe with lots of possibility.
Don't buy trendy clothes. Not only are most trendy clothes just plain ugly and often immodest, they go out of style in nothing flat and then you have to buy more clothes to keep up with the latest trend. Stick with classic styles and you'll get a lot more mileage out of your clothes.
Pick things suitable for your figure. It goes without saying, but just because something looks nice on someone else does not mean it will look nice on you. Find out what works best on your body shape and don't deviate.
Wear your colors. This simple little thing has revolutionized my shopping and my wardrobe. It streamlines everything about clothes and guarantees that when you wear something it will make you look your best. If you are unfamiliar with what your colors are, read the book Color Me Beautiful.
Those are just a few tips which help keep my wardrobe costs and time to a minimum. I'd love to hear what helps you. We'll talk more about where to buy clothes inexpensively in Part 3.
posted by Crystal Paine at 1:58 PM
11 Comments:
Crystal, following the "Color me Beautiful" rules is THE way to streamline, simplify, and maximize your wardrobe- if you only acquire items within your color palette, everything blends together effortlessly, so that the fun and economy of mixing and matching becomes effortless. I tend to purchase only the darker, more basic colors within my palette, since these transcend seasons more easily and I tend to wear the pieces in these colors more often- a fruity pink is just not as economical as a dark blue or brown item.
I'm a Spring...
Crystal,
My husband is starting dental school in August and I'm trying to think of ways that I can make some extra money over the next several years. I thought I remembered reading on one of your posts that you were a mystery shopper. Is that right? If so, would you recommend it? And how did you find out about it? Any input would be greatly appreciated! I thought of this because it seems like it's something that I could do with my children...I won't do anything that requires getting a babysitter.
Thanks!
Laura
Ah, clothes shopping - one of my favourite topics! At the beginning of this year I set myself a wee challenge: to buy no NEW clothes, only second-hand.
Obviously there are exceptions, such as underwear. I'm not wearing some one else's underwear, thanks very much, that's just gross!
Also, now that we're coming in to winter here in New Zealand I did buy myself some new merino woollen tops - but they were on special.
If your readers want to look good and buy cheap clothes, you can't go past second-hand. I get a real kick out of buying some thing perfect for me, for a fraction of the price it would have cost new. One of my best buys this year was my work shoes - I wear them every day and they cost me $NZ9 (about $US5).
Crystal,
I guess you will write about making your own clothes in part 3? I found out that it isn't just a major money-saver, it also allows to create unique, original items you can't find at any shops... hand-knitted or crocheted items make such lovely accessories, and I can make them to fit my style exactly.
Hi Crystal,
I really live by the "wear colours that look good on you" mentality. For years I would buy whatever I thought was pretty on the rack and it would look horrible against my skin! The colours that really work great for me are soft pinks, lavender, plum, deep reds/burgundy and navy blue.
With regards to Laura's comment, I wrote a post on my blog about how to earn money Mystery Shopping that includes lots of great tips.
Take Care,
Trixie
The classic black skirt goes far for me. Black looks good with every other color, and can be worn year-round. It can be dressed up or down.
- Mrs. Marks
I read colour me beautiful back in the 80's & early 90's.It makes things sooo easy! I'm a dark-haired Spring- misdiagnosed as an Autumn first time round!
Every so often though, my hubby comes up with an outfit for me that breaks every rule in the book & yet it still looks great!- how does he do it!
Claire
I've enjoyed reading your blog very much. I've awarded you the Thinking Blogger award, which you read about here .
I'm sure I'm not the first to give you this!
Blessings,
Keri
Crystal, this has nothing to do with this post I'm afraid, but I have a question. What is your stand on vaccinations? As a new mom I keep reading about horrible possible reactions and am ill at ease.
Anonymous: Email me and I'll be glad to share what we've decided to do in this regard. It's a hot topic and one I've chosen not to broach on my blog for various reasons. Thanks!
I forgot to mention that Jesse and Kathrynne also wear their colors and follow most of these things I've outlined above as well. It's amazing what a difference it makes and how easy shopping becomes. And Jesse just loves me wearing my colors.
I'm a Summer, by the way, and the only time I deviate a little from only Summer palette clothes is when I'm pregnant and have a much harder time finding Summer colors in sizes that fit and are comfortable.
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