⋄ Providently Clothed ⋄
Whether you’re a total fashionista fashion-plate, or simply looking to spend as little as possible to keep yourself clothed, we have the answers to suit you & your family!
Use the menu on the left or simply scroll on down to start exploring! If you have any ideas or suggestions, please send them to us! Thanks & stay stylish!
- Your Wardrobe -
- Think of the three areas of the ‘green’ movement–reduce, reuse, recycle. Apply these principles to your wardrobe!
- Think solid colors that transition well between seasons.
- Add variety through accessories (which are often more deeply discounted than clothing).
- Layering helps extend a wardrobe between seasons.
- Learn enough about fabric and garment construction to identify quality.
- Reduce the closet clutter by donating or reusing/repurposing clothes that do not fit or that you no longer like
- Shopping -
- When you purchase clothes, get those that fit you and will serve multiple purposes.
- Purchase clothing that is not high maintenance.
- Learn about seasonal sales in your area. January, Memorial Day, 4th of July and October are often good clearance months as stores clear out the current season in preparation for the next.
- Sign up for frequent shopper clubs so that you get advance notice of sales and often extra discounts.
- Just because it is on sale does not make it a great buy! As I used to tell my children, “Half off of absurd is still ridiculous.”
- Children’s ‘dress’ or ‘church’ clothes are often greal bargains after Easter and Christmas. Also check the thrift shops for these items.
- Learn the discounting patterns and codes for retailers that you frequent often. At one Target, I knew exactly which day of the week was ‘additional mark down day’. I would watch for items I wanted but didn’t need to get to their rock bottom price.
- Make certain that you are shopping at the right stores! Not as in designer right, but as in price right. Don’t assume that the old department store your Mom shopped at still has the best prices. Often, you can find better items at the higher end store during a super clearance and get better quality! A friend and I were going to the same wedding. She purchased her dress at Sears for $79. I purchased mine at Lord and Taylor for $29. Her’s was polyester, mine was silk.
- Buy ‘trendy’ items at discounters. Target has an avid design department that actively follows fashion trends. You will pay much less for the ‘up to the minute’ style. Remember, trendy clothes are not meant to last years and years, so top quality is not an issue.
- Purchase next year’s new coats (if they are needed) at the end of this winter. Even thrift shops close out winter wear at the end of the season. Ask when they are likely to do this.
- Do NOT shop for entertainment.
- Most people spend less when they shop alone.
- Keep receipts in case there is a problem with an item.
- Almost all clothing (even wedding gowns) go to the clearance rack eventually! Never pay full price.
- If you don’t like shopping and aren’t a clothes horse, purchase good quality separates on sale and accessorize. One theater group manager I knew traveled on a monthly basis between Los Angeles and London. She always wore black clothing and accessorized it with brightly colored scarves, jewelry, hats and purses. She always looked extremely fashionable, well put together and declared she could travel with one small suitcase no matter where she went.
- If you find an article of clothing in a store missing a button, ask for a larger discount.
- Get to know the sales clerks in your favorite stores. They will often alert you to final sales.
- Don’t assume that because a store is in an outlet mall that the prices are cheaper. Not everything in a name brand outlet was offered for sale in the full retail stores.
- After major holidays such as Christmas, look for clothing that is included in the 75 to 90% off clearance sections. Many items are not holiday-imprinted and can be worn throughout the winter. The same holds true after Easter and the 4th of July.
- Thrift Stores & Hand-Me-Downs -
- If you enjoy it, check yard sales and thrift stores. Do know your prices as some thrift store prices are higher than good clearances at department stores. Also be certain to check the merchandise carefully when you shop at thrift sales and yard sales. Most have strict NO RETURN policies. Having said that, some great bargains can be found, especially on children’s clothes.
- For sanitary reasons, wash all items purchased from a thrift store or yard sale before wearing or storing.
- Watch for community consignment sales, especially ones run by charities. They often have the best prices.
- Thrift shops that are run by volunteers often have lower prices than strictly commercial ones.
- Some thrift shops have ‘bag days’ when they offer a bag full of clothing that you choose for a set price. This can be a great time to stock up!
- Join, organize or find a clothing exchange in your area. This is great for Moms who want to swap baby and children’s clothes. Some work without money, simply issuing credits for what you trade.
- Always join freecycle–people give away the most amazing clothing on there.
- If others want to give you hand-me-downs, welcome them. Keep what you can use and pass on what you can’t.
- Stylish Kids -
- Children (and adults) do not need ‘designer’ labels.
- If you have multiple children, store hand-me-downs categorized by size. Make certain they are clean before storing. Purchase items such as jeans and denim overalls in as gender-neutral as possible colors and styles. Little girls can wear OshKosh with a frilly blouse then hand it down to a little brother who wears it with a ‘manly’ T-shirt. One large and frugal family I knew sometimes got monogrammed wardrobe basics–only because they all had the same initial!
- Teach your children to care for their clothes appropriately.
- Set a clothing allowance for your older children and teens. Teach them to comparison shop and let them learn to use their resources wisely.
- For scout and school uniforms, ask friends, neighbors and freecycle for spares.
- Basic polo shirts and khaki pants for children are often deeply discounted in late September and early October, especially if they are worn as a school uniform in your area.
- Many podiatrists do not recommend purchasing used shoes for children. Their everyday shoes should be good quality new shoes, but you can still hunt out bargains.
- Purchase children’s basics for the next year at this year’s end of season super clearances. Store in organized boxes.
- Care & Sewing -
- If you must dress up for work or to go out, change your clothes when you get home and teach your children to do the same thing! You will greatly extend the lifespan of your work/church/school clothes by following this simple rule.
- Clean clothing according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Take care of your clothing so that it will last.
- Wear an apron when cooking or doing other messy jobs. The full-frontal ‘butcher’s’ or ‘BBQ’ aprons are simple to make and will greatly extend your clothes lifetime.
- Don’t store clothing that is soiled. It is an invitation to mold, mildew and things that will eat your clothes.
- Learn at least rudimentary sewing skills so that you can mend, sew on a button or hem.
- Learn to sew reasonably well if you wish to dress little girls or yourself in a creative style. A simple girl’s dress can be made with a knit shirt and a length of fabric.
- Before deciding that you don’t like an item of clothing, ask yourself if you can redesign it or repurpose it. Can those jeans with the ratty cuffs be cut off for capris?