Wise Bread Picks
I’ve been wanting to start a frugal fashion series for a while now. Clothes are something we all need to buy, and cutting down on them as a line item expense is a skill everyone will need to use at some point in their lives. Here are three items, one of them cheaper than dirt, one moderately priced, and one I’m suggesting you spend serious money on in order to save in the long run. I’m recommending them as “must consider” frugal fashion items.
Ribbon
I’m partial to varying widths of black organza or satin by the roll, but depending on your overall wardrobe colors you may find occasions to purchase white or other basic colors. By having a standard roll on hand, you can customize a necklace for a chunky, ethnic indie charm, pocket watch turned chick jewelry, or locket to suit any outfit. Need a choker? Got it covered. Looking for something to reach just the right length for that dressy new v-neck tee shirt? Snip off the length you need, string on your decorative item of choice, and tie the ends in a bow or knot. If you're feeling fancy, add closure findings from your local jewelry supply store. Pick up a roll of several yards for less than five bucks and have enough to do you for several years, depending on your jewelry collection.
I’ve recently used my personal stash of black organza for an antique style silver locket and a very cool silver and turquoise necklace charm I picked up in Ecuador last month. The silver snap-on collar that was designed to go with it cost as much as the charm, and I knew I had a few simple silver necklaces back home along with boat loads of ribbon. So I skipped the other piece and cut my cost in half.
Dress Boots
If you can find dressy knee-high boots with great foot support that fit your calves, go for it. If not, a slamming pair of ankle boots will do nicely as well. Wear them with wrap dresses, long or mid-calf skirts, under slacks instead of dress shoes, and underneath jeans with a dressy top and great purse for a touch of urban chic. I recently purchased these ankle boots from Ecco, and have been wearing them nonstop without foot fatigue, including during a full day book fair in Miami with our own Frugal Duchess.
Now, I paid between one hundred and two hundred dollars for these, and I’m recommending that you plan on dishing out at least a hundred bucks or more (not including discounts and sales) for whichever ones you decide to purchase. Why? Because after personally trying to cheap it out with lower quality shoes for decades, and having been in a position to pay a hundred bucks a pop for a select few pairs over the past three to five years, I’ve noticed something.
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I blow through a couple of lower priced pairs per year, but my good quality hundred dollar shoes are still going strong a couple of years after purchase. That alone makes them a good value. But add in the fact that the right pair of boots can serve as your main dress shoe of choice if you shop carefully for outfits, and you’re ahead of the game by the cost of at least five additional pairs of shoes.
Flesh-Toned Undergarments
White shows through lighter colored clothing like a big, tacky beacon and stains easily to boot. When it comes to the bra and panty purchasing decisions, I go with strictly flesh colored on the bras and a mix of flesh toned and black for undergarments worn below the waist. I don’t have many skirts, pants, or shorts in lighter colors, but when I do pick up a pair, I don’t want to have to shop for new undergarments before I can wear them. Sticking with black and nude tones protects me from this.
When it comes to choosing a color for the more expensive slips and shaping garments, go with flesh-colored unless you have a wardrobe which largely dictates you should wear black. For example, if you own a plethora of above-the-knee black dresses and skirts, chances are a beige set of thigh shapers is going to end up showing at some point. Since my above-the-knee dress wearing days are long gone, this isn’t a concern for me. I’m wearing out the black ones I still own from my mini skirt wearing years, and purchasing mostly beige on the occasions where I need to replace them.
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What are your favorite frugal fashion choices? Do you have a favorite item you feel goes this distance with multitasking and durability?
