By Alexis Wiersema
I could see it in her eye.
She'd spotted a deal.
Standing excitedly amidst racing shopping carts and the bustling sounds of cash
registers, my mama gazed at her new dress - a used treasure, yet one that she'd weave
into her unique story.
I watched her thrilled expression from my preferred spot to play: hidden between the
heavy men's coats at Goodwill. It'd become a comfortable spot for me during our
Saturday thrift store outings.
I didn't know it then, but my mama was laying a solid foundation for me of beauty found
in frugality. On that day and in years to come, she'd show me that a quality wardrobe
does not need to cost an arm and a leg. Instead, it can be acquired through
patience, commitment, and planning. Today, I share some of the lessons I learned
with you.
Block off time to search for deals
A great way to start building a quality wardrobe is by making it a priority. My mama
worked hard to stretch our family's income by creating a discipline around sourcing
clothes. For her, prioritizing a quality wardrobe meant that on a few Saturdays a month,
she'd visit several local thrift stores and shops in search of deals. By prioritizing thrift,
she honed her craft and built a unique wardrobe that often garnered compliments and
commanded respect.
Commit to paying a lower price
Another tip for building a budget-friendly, quality wardrobe is to commit mentally to
paying a lower price for clothes. Often, the first step to reaching a goal is changing our
mindset. When building a quality wardrobe on a budget, be sure that you genuinely
believe it's possible. Your unwavering belief will help you to stay the course should you
not find the perfect dress or pair of trousers on your first few visits. Truthfully, finding
quality pieces takes time. For example, a 3-hour search may only yield one usable
piece. Still, that piece could be worth the wait! Trust the process.
Shop around at different stores
As a business owner, you're probably familiar with shopping around for the best deals
on software, raw goods, or services. You can use these same principles to build a
budget-friendly yet quality wardrobe. No one thrift store, outlet, online store, boutique, or
consignment shop will fulfill every need you have. Therefore, try to identify several spots
in your community that could provide you with the types of clothes and prices you're
looking for. For example, Target may provide great jewelry options, while your local
Goodwill provides the perfect casual dress!
Plan ahead
As you build your wardrobe, it's helpful to know what you have already and what you
need. Take a look around your closet today. Do you already have enough dresses? Jot
down your observations on your phone, then tailor your search to skirts or pants. Taking
inventory of your current wardrobe can help you to avoid duplicates or unnecessary
spending.
Another way to stay on budget is to minimize unplanned spending that often comes with
a day out. Packing lunch for you (or your children), charging your phone, clipping
coupons (if possible), and bringing cash (to avoid last-minute ATM fees) are a few great
ways to lessen costs.
Look for ways to maximize savings
Did you know that many thrift stores offer additional discounts on certain days of the
week? Usually, the discounts are applied to garments with a specific tag color and can
range from 30-70% off. If you have free time during a lunch break or want something
fun to do with a girlfriend, try dropping into your local thrift store.
Another way to save extra money is by using points or rewards at your favorite stores.
For example, the Target Circle Rewards program offers in-app earnings on purchases.
These earnings are similar to digital coupons stored in the Target app that apply to new
purchases (such as clothes).
I hope these tips have been helpful to you! God bless, and happy shopping!
About The Author:
Alexis Wiersema is the owner of Maggie Eliza Prints. She currently lives in Atlanta, GA, with her husband and son. Connect with her on Instagram.