Penny Pincher

I don’t think it’s a big secret that I love fashion. Back when I was a student and my budget was non-existent I had to think REALLY hard over any purchases because they were few and far between. I remember I had a thesis presentation towards the end of university and my parents had given me money to purchase an outfit. With the money I could have made the choice to purchase a cheaper suit AND THEN find some other cute tops and bottoms just for fun, but instead I went for quality over quantity and purchased a well made sweater dress and mid-lenght wool coat- both in black. Instead of some trendy items, those classics have been worn to job interviews, presentations, celebrations (you name it) and have hung in my closet for more than a decade and are still figure flattering and in style. Case in point also with my first suit and other purchases I made early on in my career when my budget was not so forgiving.

So now my career has progressed and my shopping budget theoretically could be a lot bigger. I’ve realized this doesn’t mean I’m making better choices. For some reason over the last few years, I switched gears from quality to quantity and it’s making me feel overwhelmed and overindulged. And when I really look at it, all my additional options don’t make me feel put-together, I’m feeling like a mis-mash of STUFF.

And so after hard inspection, I’m transporting myself back and bringing my broke-girl principles into play (don’t worry mom, I have not shopped myself destitute). I realized being prescriptive in my shopping made me accountable to my wallet and I think forced me to make better “investments”. Key principles to follow:

• Create a monthly budget – I always found if I set a monthly budget and made a list of key items I would like to purchase or needed over the next 4 months, then I could come up with a plan and start looking at options that would translate well into the year. For example, quality transitional items that might be on sale that will work well into spring and summer. See future blog posts on what I’ve budgeted from Jan- April.
•  Think long and hard about the purchases you want to make or are making. It’s so easy to get caught up in the moment and buy something because it seems like a great deal, or a fun thing to try. I used to say, if I couldn’t picture wearing it in 5-10 different outfits it was a no go for me.
• Visualize or make lists– You know the best place to go shopping? Your very own closet! Often we have our favourite items on repeat and forget what is in the rest of the closet or drawers. Going through your wardrobe and making notes or putting together new combo’s is the cheapest and easiest way to refresh your wardrobe. I love the 30 x 30 remix Kendi Everyday does. Take 30 items out of your closet and make 30 outfits. Consider it a challenge and vow not to shop until you’ve worn all 30 outfits. It will probably help your creativity in your fashion as well. Also use Polyvore to play around and see all the different options you can create out of some key pieces.

• Investment Pieces- This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go buy expensive designer items to get long-lasting quality. Search Etsy, Ebay, your local vintage or consignment stores for well made, quality pieces that you know you’ll get lots of miles out of. One of my favourite bags was a leather artisan tote sold at a boutique. At the time it was $150, pricey compared to the $40 pleather bags I had been buying at Target, but that bag has lasted years and SAVED me money compared to the number of Target bags I would have been through in that timeframe.

Boring advice from a blogger who loves fashion? Take it from me, it’s always fun to have more stuff to play with but consider it a challenge, to have a well planned and executed wardrobe because lots of times Less is More… and besides, “Fashion is what you are offered 4 times a year, Style is what you pick out of that Fashion…” ~ Coco Chanel.