Training Manual: 6 Shopping Tips

When you have a budget, yet want more shoes than you can possibly afford – then it’s good to have a strategy of sorts.

No, we don’t mean eating Cup-o-Noodles everyday for a month so you can get a new Balenciaga bag, or buying your clothes exclusively in black so that everything matches.  We’re just saying, spend your money wisely, and you’ll get a lot more mileage out of your wardrobe.

Here are 6 of our shopping commandments:

1. Invest in the stuff you will wear long-term (that oh-so-special, never-to-be-duplicated dress, those perfect pumps, the classic purse).
2. But for the fun trendy stuff, hit up your local Forever 21 / Zara / H&M / Steve Madden.  You just might find the most amazing thing that fits the bill exactly and costs 1/3 of the price and it’ll be like your birthday.
   
3. Visit consignment stores (like decadestwo in Los Angeles) and you’ll find used designer handbags (as well as great shoes and clothes and jewelry) in amazing condition – like seriously, Prada purses and Chloe bags for half off or more.
4. Dress to shop – if you’re shopping for a dress for a  special occasion, wear appropriate undergarments (i.e. strapless bra).  If you’re shopping for boots that day, wear socks.  Simple, yes, but something we always seem to forget.
5. Set a budget before you buy – if you’re shopping for, say, a pair of boots, decide in advance the most you could spend and stick to this dollar amount – this helps you filter out everything that is over budget, and helps curb impulse shopping.
   
6. If you find something you really love, but it doesn’t fit perfectly – keep in mind you can get it altered!  Don’t give up on something that is almost perfect, as long as you don’t need to reconstruct the entire thing. Why pass up something amazing when all you need to do is have it taken in a bit? Trust me, a reliable tailor will change your life.

Have a few of your own shopping tips?  Share with us in the comments below.