As you anxiously await the arrival of your rebate check, like most women, you're probably pondering your options. Save it? (Where's the fun in that?) Or spend it? If you're leaning towards the latter, here are some quick tips that will help you get the most bang for your buck and help you look chic even during a recession.
1. Green is most definitely the buzz word these days in the fashion industry. But to buy "green," you're going to be shelling out some serious green. For instance, eco-friendly and socially responsible Edun Clothing (created in part by Bono of U2) offers trendy tees and jeans for men and women with prices ranging from $55-$165 depending upon the item. Ouch! Kudos to you for wanting to sport environmentally friendly duds, but you can find similar styles for around $25 by visiting Nature89.com, a certified organic cotton apparel line for men and women, or shop Target.com after May 18th for Rogan for Target - another certified organic cotton apparel collection with prices ranging from $14.99-$44.99. Find cute, inexpensive organic cotton totes for a mere $16.90 at Forever21.com.
2. Don't believe the hype. While your favorite fashion magazine is singing the praises of couture finds from Fendi, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Dior, chances are you simply cannot afford a $3,000 dress or a $2,500 handbag. If you prefer to pay your rent or mortgage instead like I do, opt for knockoffs or create your own outfit based on your favorite designers' color scheme or pattern. ABS by Allen Schwartz is notorious for re-creating couture dresses for the regular gal's budget. Each year after the Oscars, the next day ABS cleverly recreates your favorite Hollywood starlet's red carpet attire - for far less. Mix and match dresses, tanks and tees from AmericanApparel.net, which offers great prices on items that resemble high fashion finds. H&M is also great for finding trendy, designer-inspired finds for a fraction of the couture price tag.
3. Make the clearance section of your favorite retail outlet your first stop when shopping. I'm always amazed how quickly clothing at the Gap and Old Navy goes on sale. It almost drives me mad (although they will do a price adjustment for any items that went on sale within 14 days of the original date of purchase). If you can play the waiting game, you'll get that blouse or dress you had your eye on for anywhere from 15-50 percent off within a couple of weeks. Sure you risk missing out on your size (large and extra large sizes seem to sell out most quickly - small and medium are typically in abundance), but the money you save on the same item you would have shelled out more dinero on just a few weeks ago will leave you with more cash on hand for your next shopping spree.
4. Visit Ebay.com for great deals. I recently purchased a pair of Persol sunglasses off of Ebay that normally retail for over $250 for a little over $50 including shipping costs. I also bought a gently used Coach medium tote for $35 a few weeks ago. It has a teeny, tiny stain on the bottom which no one will ever see unless they are looking for it. Right now I have my eye on a brand-new-with-tags cocktail dress for a summer wedding me and the Mr. are attending at the end of the month. It's listed for 75 percent off the retail price. How can you beat that? My tips for Ebay - don't waste time bidding until the last day of the auction. Again, there is some risk involved that you might lose out on the item you have your heart set on, but the name of the game here is the price is right.
5. When in doubt, return it. I have a tendency to stock up on specific items when shopping - mostly tall jeans (I'm over 6 foot tall!). This I can justify to myself because affordable tall jeans are kind of hard to find. However, when I find myself stocking up on different colors of the same top, I have to ask myself: will I really wear this? There is nothing worse than flipping through your closet and seeing hanger after hanger of clothing with tags still on them. My philosophy is: if I haven't worn it within a month after buying it, return it. Just be sure to check your receipts for individual store return policies. Old Navy offers a generous 90 day return policy and so does Target. H&M only offers 30 days. Some stores won't take back final sale items or certain accessories so be sure to do your homework before handing over your dough.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have some shopping to do...