How To Curb Your Spending Habit And Still Have A Beautiful Wardrobe
Shopping can be one of life’s little pleasures. Whether you do it on your own, with your girlfriends or with a (reluctant!) partner, there’s something exciting about trying on a new outfit that you feel great in. Clothes and accessories can have a huge impact on how we feel inside and how we carry ourselves on a day to day basis. However, sometimes this ‘little pleasure’ doesn’t come cheap.
A survey showed that on average, a woman spends approximately £500,000 in her lifetime on clothing and accessories. £500,000! That’s a lot of money by anyone’s standards. The survey also revealed that 1 in 4 women have hid their purchases from their partner for fear of being scolded. So why do we spend so much money on clothes, apart from it being largely fun? Retailer based reasons include being coerced into panic buying, perceived value when a sale is on and addiction to the ‘shopper’s high’. But there are also more serious and personal reasons for overspending. These can include competition with another women, relationship problems and even depression. A lot of people also experience feelings of guilt and shame after buying if their spending habit has gotten out of hand. It can be difficult to find a balance between your passion for clothes and your need to control your spending. Take a look at the following tips which could help you on your way to becoming a savvy shopper…
Work out what you really need
Take a look at your wardrobe. A long hard look. Chances are, around half of the stuff in there you don’t wear regularly – maybe some of it you haven’t worn at all. If this sounds like you, take an afternoon to empty the entire contents of your closet and work out what is genuinely worth keeping. You’ll have to grit your teeth and be ruthless with this one, but it will be worth it! Some of the items you may be able to sell or donate to charity, others just may need to go in the trash. But, slimming down your wardrobe will give you a clearer head and you may start feeling more organised.
Only shop when you need to
Try to implement a new rule of only shopping when you need something. For example, if your favourite jeans have a hole in or if an evening top mysteriously acquired a red wine stain. This will help to stop you impulse buying and then ending up with an item that you have nothing else to wear with – meaning you end up buying more. If you’ve had a rough day and simply must go on a shopping trip, look into websites like plusvouchercodes.co.uk. These sites feature vouches and offers you can claim for money off in certain stores.
Get thrifty
High fashion doesn’t need to be designer – or even high street for that matter. Head into a couple of thrift stores and see what you can pick up. You might even find something designer hiding amongst the rails, and the vintage look can give your outfit a more expensive looking edge. Or, alternatively, if you have a number of friends in the same predicament, organise a fashion swap shop where you can raid each other’s closets. You’ll know the clothes have come from a good home and can finally get your hands on that dress you’ve had your eye on for two years!