When you are a shopaholic and recession strikes, you tend to suffocate. Often, during recession, most major brands announce heavy discounts and sales. But, are you willing to offload a huge wad of cash? Your mind answers ‘No’ because, well, it’s the recession. However, operating within an abbreviated shopping budget does not mean that you need to leave style behind. You can recession proof your wardrobe by following some simple tips and always look stunning. Read on for our foolproof strategy to recession proof your closet for the fall season:
1. Invest in a signature piece
Identify a signature piece that will serve as your calling card. This piece, whether it be an item of clothing, a shoe style, a bag, jewelry or an accessory, has to become your trademark. Your look can be built around either this statement piece, or it can be the embellishment which completes it. For example, a beautiful and vibrant brooch can tie a scarf together, accessorize your dress or blazer, act as a hatpin or adorn your clutch. So, when you go recession shopping, make sure to invest in your signature style and not on the trend of the moment.
2. Sew and hew
With DIY we do not mean that you learn to create amazing garments like a professional fashion designer. But, the skill of sewing gives you great options when it comes to minor fixes and improvisations: like hemming a pair of trousers to the length of the moment, darning your garments with your favorite motifs, or even transforming a blowsy shirt into the perfect dress with a few tucks. This not only saves money but also lets you update your last season garments to the look of the season.
3. The CPW formula
Girls, it’s time to whip out the calculator app. The CPW, or the Cost Per Wear, formula is a technique which will help you become a more savvy shopper. So, before you buy that beautiful yet dear blouse, calculate its CPW. The cost per wear is the total cost of the piece divided by the estimated number of days you will wear it.
The CPW is the key to building a great wardrobe on a tighter budget. The logic behind this formula is that the more you wear an item, the more value it adds to your closet. And key pieces, which can be transformed in to versatile day and night looks, are the ones with the best CPW.
4. Follow the 70/30 rule
The 70/30 rule states that seventy percent of your wardrobe should consist of classic pieces. The key items here would be the classic silk or cotton button down white shirt, a black suit, perfectly fitting dark blue denim jeans, a figure flattering cocktail dress or even a full, knee length skirt. Build your entire closet around these key pieces. These garments should be able to go from day to night, casual to formal, urban to rural or edgy to traditional. The rest 30 percent of your closet can consist of accessories and statement pieces from the trend of the moment.
5. Part ways with the dry cleaner
Dry cleaning is a costly affair, as you well know. Before you spend all your money on the must buy item on sale, take a good, long look at its tags as well. High maintenance, ‘dry clean only’ clothes are a foolproof way of adding the dollars to your clothing budget. However, if you have already purchased ‘high maintenance’ garments, then find alternatives to dry cleaning. For instance, Febreze Fabric Refresher will keep your garments smelling fresh by eliminating any residual odor and lessen your trips to the dry cleaner at the corner.
6. Shoppers savings account
Open a Shoppers’ Saving Account in your name and use it for shopping and nothing else. This is a real act of discipline. At the least, you will be able to pay your bills on time, as this account is not linked to your checking account.
7. A gift card exclusive
You can put your entire shopping budget on to your Visa gift card provided by your bank. Once you have exhausted the money in the gift card, you are done with your shopping! This will save you from over indulging shopping and help you stick to a budget.
8. Closet swap
Do you envy your girl friend’s sense of style and wish you had her wardrobe? Why not hold a swap party and ask your friends to drop in with their ‘not so old’ clothes. These will be great additions to your wardrobe and are sure to give you the high of owning something ‘new’ without the messy fall out of huge bills.
