As a girl who has spent many years shopping the sales rack, I understand the importance of a dollar..and getting it to stretch as far as possible, and then tugging at it a little more. The only problem with trying to cut corners in spending is that often it shows in what you purchase. When things are cheaply made, they usually are fairly obvious and last a fraction of the time, making the "deal" really not worth it.
cheap jeans (roughly $20)
the medium fade, thin stretch material and skinny distress marks are sure signs of a "not worth it" deal.
Inexpensive Jeans: H&M, Gap, Urban Outfitters, Abercrombie & Fitch, Jolt Jeans
Splurge Jeans: Joe's Jeans, 7 for all Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, dVb
One of the best ways to get "splurge" jeans at the "inexpensive" price? Think resale! Many higher end second hand boutiques carry designer jeans in great condition for an unbelievable price. No stores near you? Ebay is another place for great finds. If you take good care of your clothing the second hand option is great for keeping your closet from overgrowing while still getting what you need. Sometimes it helps to always take something in to sell if you plan on bringing anything home.
*Be sure to note any frayed edges or fades on any second hand clothing
Another key to not looking "cheap" is knowing when to give things up. Holding onto a camisole for eight years that has been stretched to death and splits at the seams is not worth the frumpy signal it delivers. When your tank top drawer starts to look more like a rag bin, it's time to clear it out and start over. Nothing says hot mess like a ripped out two dollar wife beater, and no one should be sending that message except for maybe Ke$ha...
(please no one do this at home..)
As for cosmetics, makeup isn't something you should skimp on either. Brands such as Covergirl, Maybelline, N.Y.C. and Wet N' Wild should mostly be avoided when dealing with foundations and powders. These lines tend to cake and not blend well, drawing attention to your makeup instead of you. Brands like Physician's Formula, Bare Minerals, Youngblood, Mac (as well as many others) are much more complexion friendly and worth the extra dollar but won't totally break the bank. Things best purchased from drugstores? Mascara! I love drugstore mascara, it usually is thicker than the high end brands for those of us girls who love the vintage chunky lash look. Also the occasional eye shadow and liner can be a great find, such as NYX or Hard Candy, which have great pigment and fairly decent lasting factor.
As overused as the saying is, quality is always better than quantity. Always check the sales rack but be sure to sort through what really is a quality piece and what you're just grabbing because it seems too cheap to pass up. If you'd love it at full price, then it is something worth coming home with you!
Key Points To Remember:
1. Avoid cheap denim
2. Love your local resale store
3. Throw out worn down clothing
4. Invest in your makeup
5. Quality over quantity!
*when clearing out your closet, always donate!
