May 7, 2014

TOP 5 TIPS TO LOOK GOOD FOR LESS!

1. KNOW WHAT YOU NEED!

Before you even think about stepping out to the shops, STOP, and ask yourself, “what do I need?” It’s important that you know exactly what you need for your wardrobe, so you don’t get distracted and end up buying everything under the sun, and still be in need of things. Remember, you are building a wardrobe that is cheap & cheerful, but also fabulous, and full of variety. If you’re lacking a particular item, or specific colour shoes, or tops, or a certain pair of jeans, or a bag, your goal should be to fill that gap first, before you splurge out on things you probably won’t use or wear any time soon.

2. NEVER BUY AT FULL PRICE!

The art of shopping in high street stores is to never buy anything at full price! SALE ITEMS ONLY! If you love to shop at malls or have favourite high street stores that you just can’t live without, then rather than shopping at full price why not wait until the store has a sale? The item you buy at full price now is most likely to be on sale the following month, week or even day at 20, 50, or 70 percent off!

3. DON’T BE AFRAID OF CHARITY SHOPS!

Charity shops are your friend! But why are so many people so afraid and reluctant to shop in them? I find it rather amusing to be honest. People give away their used or unwanted clothes for others, but nobody wants to buy other people’s used or unwanted clothes! Crazy, right?! The key to shopping in charity shops is simple… get a washing machine! All you need to do is wash you’re purchases before you wear them. It’s as simple as that! You can get some AMAZING, unique items that are in good condition from charity shops, which are the epitome of cheap & cheerful shopping!

4. LEARN TO MIX & MATCH!  You have got to develop the ability to mix & match! Acquiring this skill will save you time and money. You won’t need to always purchase more stuff.  Assuming that by now, you have turned (or in the process of turning) you’re boring wardrobe full of ‘basics’ into a fabulous land of variety and choice, then you’re fully equipped to create great looks by simply ‘mixing-it-up’. You can create several different outfits with the same item. It’s just how you apply your imagination. So get creative!

5. SHOP ONLINE! Shopping online can make great savings, give you more options in terms of stock availability, and you won’t even need to wear pants or a bra to do it! You can shop in the comfort of your home. Especially during sale season when fragile women turn into fire-breathing dragons and are willing to head-butt anyone who picks up the shoes or top they have their eye one. Why be abused? By shopping online, you are more likely to find items in your size, and even items and discounts that are not available in store. Watch out for the postage costs. If you’re buying 1 item at £5, there’s probably no point in spending another £4 for postage, you’re better off buying it in store. If you have 20 items in your basket at £50, paying £4 for postage is not so bad. Many stores offer free postage when you spend £30 or more.

 Live by these 5 tips, make savings, and begin to see a change in your shopping habits and wardrobe for the better!

Happy shopping!

Written by Amina Habeeb, 29, TV, Presenter & Fashion Blogger

Check out her blog: http://cheapandcheerfulshopper.com/

Follow her on twitter: @lookgood_4less