Buying the Best Quality that you can Afford

Christen
Nov 21, 2017
3 min read

I've always been a sucker for a good deal but there are just certain things that I've learned to invest my money in when it comes to fashion.

For the past couple of months, I've been working on rebuilding my style closet. My goal is to eventually have a well-rounded collection of high quality pieces that can be styled in a variety of ways. But, until I can afford the high end brands like Christian Louboutin and Dolce & Gabbana, I'll be balling on a budget. Continue reading for my tips on how to buy the best quality that you can currently afford.

Figure out a monthly wardrobe budget

Budgeting can be scary for some of you but it's a very positive thing. As a stylist, it's imperative for me to be able to work with different types of budgets. Not everyone is willing to drop stacks on clothes and shoes every time they're in need of something new. So, the best thing anyone can do is set a monthly budget and hire a stylist of course :)

Check out the "Top 5 Reasons Why you Need a Stylist".

In order to properly set a budget, you have to determine your monthly income. Once you do that, you can then calculate how much of your money is actually being spent on necessities and everything else. From there, you can determine a comfortable amount of money you're able to invest in clothing each month. Your priorities should always come first. You don't want to be that person wearing designer labels but can't even afford to pay your phone bill.

Starting this month, I've set my limit to $130; no more, no less. I made sure that I set it to an amount that I was capable of sticking to each month, but that doesn't mean the entire amount has to be spent. I'd always rather save money instead.

Learn how to shop your closet

As an entrepreneur with a couple of part time jobs and a few gigs here and there, I don't quite have the disposable income that I wish I had just yet. So, during the times where I want to save a little extra or when my paycheck isn't as much as I expected, I use what I already have in my closet to re-create new looks. I actually have a lot of clothes that I don't wear because I don't like the way they fit or just don't have the proper pieces to pair with them.

So, for style inspiration and outfit ideas, I like to use Pinterest. I normally type in the piece of clothing that I want to wear and add "outfits" at the end. Most of the time, endless options of how that specific item can be worn will pop up. It's an easy way to mix up your wardrobe and step out of your comfort zone in style.

Pick 3 items you feel comfortable investing in

If you're still growing your business and your bank account like me, it's okay to be frugal. It's very possible to bargain shop and still look like you just walked off the runway. Trust me, I do it all the time.

As my expensive taste continues to grow, I've made a choice to invest in pieces that I'll always need like denim, shoes and jackets. I mainly shop for these items at department stores like Nordstrom and Macy's. As for everything else, I like to shop in designer discount retailers like Nordstrom Rack, TJMaxx, Marshalls, DSW, thrift shops and boutiques. That way, I'm still buying the same quality items but for less. When shopping online, I always use a promo code or spend a certain amount to receive the current deal the site may be offering.

A few online, designer sites that I like to dabble on:

I avoid purchasing these specific items from fast fashion retailers because they don't seem to last as long. After a couple of washes, I've experienced some fading and shrinkage in length. And I'm sure I'm not the only one. So, choose the 3 pieces you'd like to invest in wisely.

Well there you have it! My easy tips on budgeting for the quality wardrobe that you want. Now, I dare you to determine your monthly budget and stick with it for 3 months straight. Who's in?