Let's face it. Nobody likes to pour money down the drain during the best of times. With money as tight for everyone as it is right now, getting the most bang for your buck is even more critical. This article details three clothing oriented money drains I used to buy, why I no longer do, and what I buy instead.
Let me be clear. I'm by no means a fashion expert. I am however, someone who occasionally needs to interact with clients, society, social networks, etc. wearing something other than backpacking attire. I am also someone who has dumped major cash over the years into wardrobe items that by no means stood the test of time. Here are three of my biggest historical money wasters:
Black jeans.
Any of these I've ever purchased have lost their color way faster than I found acceptable. If I'm going for casually dressy and still want black pants, I now go with a more casual dress pant in a fabric I've seen keep its color. By going with some funky footwear or fun boots and teaming them up with a jean jacket and a crisp solid color top, I can still have a fun look and know that the pants I just purchased will go the distance for me and be multi-functional as well.
White bras.
Easily stained under blouses of color and not exactly discreet under a basic white shirt, these are far from my favorite undergarment option. If I am wearing something light colored or thin strapped, I go with a light to medium flesh tone bra and have interchangeable clear straps to use when necessary. But white? Forget about it.
Way too cheap T-shirts.
Don't get me wrong. Thirty dollar T-shirts aren't in my budget either, unless it's the occasional dark colored suit T-shirt I know I can get loads of professional mileage from. But when it comes to those that are listed at under five bucks as a non-sale price, I've come to realize that after I blow through 3-4 of them in a six week period due to stretching, fading, pilling, thread loosening and more, I might as well have indulged in at least the sixteen dollar pima cotton equivalent from L.L. Bean. They hold their shape and finish, and the color lasts. That being said, I only have two or three in some darker shades that I've paid that kind of money for. I tried a lighter colored one once, and proceeded to stain it immediately. Which brings me to my strategies for picking up the cheaper ones, either for the lighter colors only, or across the board when money is tighter:
- Shop for good condition tees at thrift stores and yard sales.
- Hit the clearance racks of some of the more expensive stores.
- Go to Target. Why do I single out Target? Because I have consistently gotten a few more weeks out of their bargain tees than I ever have out of the Walmart counterparts. (Feel free to sound off below if you have had different or similar experiences.)
That's it, readers. My top three picks for money wasting wardrobe purchases I refuse to continue buying. Got any other ideas for things you can eliminate? Share the love. We're all just trying to save a buck and tread water in these tough economic times. All ideas for shopping and saving are appreciated and welcome.
