3Ws

When should I buy new clothes?  

Where to buy certain styles? 

What style am I?

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The W's of fashion need to be answered. Right.

    

    If you have read MYcloset then answering the first W question should already be understandable.  If not, here's the summary: SALEs are a good start.  When I buy my clothes it is because I just received word of an event the store is having or I just got a coupon.  Although, just because my mail decided to land me a coupon that day, doesn't mean go out immediately buy, buy, buy- no think!  

1. When does the coupon/sale expire?  [If the event doesn't end for two weeks, accumulate more coupons to stores near that place so you save some gas and can hit every store]
2. Unless you know you have an item(s) you NEED-NEED, then the $10 off your $50 purchase isn't worth a trip out.
3. Some coupons allow being combined. Score.

    Some other helpful tips that answer your When question deals with the season and off-season.  As fall approaches, the first collection of long sleeved items in the stores will be purposefully over priced.  They know most people want to "stock" up for the coming fashion trends, no matter what the price.  Literally, wait a week (maybe two, I know it's hard).  Either another store or the store you had your eyes set on, will crank out another month worth of coupons on their merchandise. It's the corporate clothing cycle. On the flipside, while the newest season's fashion is selling, the summer production line will be on liquidation sales (:  Never spend over $25 on last season stuff.  There is a reason it's on sale (you don't wear flip flips in the winter).  Although short sleeve/tank tops can be layered...

                   

    The second W question, the Where, is probably the most difficult to execute.  The work involves gas money, internet time, and e-mail sign-ups.  Personally, I have two e-mails.  One for college, job, and other important e-mails; while the other serves the sweet purpose of shopping coupons.  Every day I probably get 25 new e-mails...and I DON'T check them a lot either.  The key here is to only check it out when your about to go shopping. Yes, that involves scanning the list, but don't read them just the store name- obviously not all of your e-mail shops will be where you're going that day.  Never exclude designer stores from where your about to look! I'm telling the complete truth when I say- 30% of my clothes are designer, yet I bought them ALL under $35-70!  Fact:  Places who have sales everyday can't lower them too much, while high end products profit so well, that dropping a few amazing "sale days" won't hurt.  That's when you swoop in and out with a great bargain!

    So where do I buy most of my clothes?  How to pick the right expensive stores?

• In Order of favor:  Wetseal, Forever21, Plato's Closet, JC Penny, MACY's, Nine West, Ann Taylor, Belk, etc.
• Wetseal? Yes.  It is mostly filled with raunchy items, there's no getting around that.  But if you look closely there are some "Where'd That Come From?" pieces that are usually under $20! Love it.
• Plato's Closet is a consignment shop and they organize by season and color.  So! Finding a balance of color and styles is easy, if you don't mind spending a few? hours...
• Macy's is the high end of department stores, and has the best selection (usually). I do most of my "What's IN?" viewing.  Although I buy some items, and Macy's has great coupons, I tend to window shop.
• Ann Taylor/ Ann Taylor Loft, when it comes to sales, have the cutest things!  Since college is just around the corner, I needed a nice jacket.  I got a $216.00 jacket for $47.00!   Beat that department stores.  And the quality is amazing.
• Belk is a great store for southern fashion, although I can't really see much of a difference from Macy's sometimes, but I shop there if they have a nice junior's department (we just got it renovated).

       

    What Style Am I?  I have already repeated the word eclectic probably ten times in my entire blog but it's true!  While I don't rely on magazines or fashion icons to tell me what to wear, I do watch out for certain things.  It has to pass THE TEST! Is it classy?  Does it have an eye-catching detail/ pattern?  Is everyone wearing it [ehh..]?  Could I do a lot of things with it?  I love studs in the right places or chiffon material  items (although not accompanying Pink- too girly combo).  Colors matter a lot to me.  I noticed last year I had a lot of white and too many tank tops that were patterned.  BIG PICTURE: I want a colorful wardrobe.  SMALL PICTURE:  I want a bit of everything, or small details that pop.  Individual pieces that could still be considered classy.

• TIP!  Think about your style in the BIG/SMALL picture sense.  Your big picture could change every season- certain hues or materials.
• Defining style will be hard, but think about what you see people wearing around you, and try and tangent ever so slightly!