When your family budget is stretched, one of the biggest headaches is buying clothes. It can be hard to find clothing that you actually like, which you can also afford. But, it is a skill you can learn. Once you do, shopping for clothes on a budget becomes a whole lot easier. So, I thought I would put together a few tips and tricks. Today, I am looking specifically at buying dresses.
Shop in the right places
Go online and search out retailers like simplybe.co.uk which offer a big selection of dresses, many of which are not expensive. Surprisingly, this retailer´s dress prices start as low as £10. Yet, they also sell high-end dresses, with prices going as high as £250.
The lesson here is that there is no longer any need for you to restrict yourself to shopping with those stores that specifically target budget shoppers. Customers are thin on the ground. As a result, most retailers try their best to cater for all budgets. This is great news because it means you now have far more choices.
Sign up for a range of retailer’s newsletters
If you have not already done so, sign up to receive newsletters from the major retailers and voucher websites. This will ensure that you get notified of their special offers and sales events.
It is usually best to set up a fresh email account for this and use it exclusively to receive these promotional emails. This ensures that your normal inbox does not become too cluttered. Provided you manage things correctly, you will be able to avoid the temptation to buy dresses you do not actually need. Try to only look at that email account when you actually need to buy something.
Don´t be the first to buy a new style of dress
If you see a new style of dress that you really like, wait for a week or two before going out shopping for one. Most new trends get replicated quickly by the cheaper retailers. So it is relatively easy to stay on trend without spending a lot of money to do so.
Use capsule wardrobe principles to help you to buy the right dress
When shopping on a budget, it is really important to buy items of clothing that are as versatile as possible. It is never a good idea to buy a dress that can only be worn for certain occasions. Or, one that is in a colour that does not blend in easily with the shoes and jackets that you already own. Your aim should be to create the perfect capsule wardrobe. You can find out how to do this, by reading this informative article.
Quality matters
When you buy a dress always check the quality. If the fabric is too loosely woven or cheap it will not hang well, especially after it has been washed once or twice. Look at the seams, if they seem loose do not bother buying the dress unless you are prepared to re-sew them.
It is wise to avoid buying items that need to be dry-cleaned. Look for items that are easy to launder and dry. Over time, doing this can save you quite a lot of money. You can find out more about laundering your clothes and keeping them looking smart by reading the article I wrote on that subject.
Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.