Dress To Impress -- For Less!
Here are lots of tips on how to transform your wardrobe -- without spending a fortune.
The Christmas party season is now in full swing, and we all want to dress to impress -- without breaking the bank.
Here are some tips on how to transform your wardrobe. Whether you're looking for a glamorous party dress or children's clothes there should be something here for you.
Hidden Treasure: Before you spend any money, have a root around at home. When you unearth clothes you haven't worn for ages, ask yourself why. I recently found several items of clothing that were easy to sort out:
- Many dry cleaners will mend clothes quite cheaply if you're not keen yourself.
- Faded clothes can be revived using a pack of Dylon dye (about £4 from Asda, Woolworths and lots of other chains). One pack will treat several items of clothing.
- Broken heels or worn-down soles can easily be sorted out by a cobbler, and leather soles can be re-waterproofed at home - apply castor oil with a soft cloth.
- Shave off coat bobbles with a disposable razor (carefully!), and give stiff woollens a quick wash using baby shampoo to restore their fluffiness.
However, if you decide that realistically, you're never going to wear something again, get rid of it - you can even make money by selling it on eBay.
Something Special: If you can't afford a glamorous new outfit, try personalising something you already have. A simple black dress can be dolled up with a thick, bright satin ribbon round the waist, cardigans and vests can be transformed by sewing on some sequins, and old coats and jackets can be jazzed up with unusual new buttons.
The John Lewis haberdashery department is great for all this sort of stuff - and although it can take a bit of time, these sort of alterations are quite easy to do and will make an outfit unique.
Swap And Save: Try swapping clothes and accessories with friends. Last year I was given a handbag that wasn't my style - but my best friend loved it. She was throwing out a black jacket that I was keen on - so we both ended up with something for nothing. You could even throw a clothes swapping party, or try doing it online at Swapstyle.com.
Free VIP Treatment: You can find out what styles suit you by hiring a free personal shopper from one of several department stores, including Debenhams, House of Fraser and John Lewis.
You're not obliged to buy anything, so politely decline, then zoom off to charity shops and budget stores armed with your new-found knowledge.
TK Maxx has top brand names at discounted prices, while H&M, Primark and Uniqlo all sell own-brand, fashionable clothes relatively cheaply.
Charity shops: These really can be the best place to find good-quality clothes at low prices, particularly if you visit those in wealthy areas. I recently picked up a French Connection coat, a Thomas Pink shirt and a jumper from Gap, all for the bargain price of £9.
If you're looking for specific things, try asking the volunteers at your local shop to put these aside as and when they come in. A friend of mine did this and ended up with a big bag of children's clothing after just a couple of weeks.
Brands For Less Online: As with many products, new clothes are often cheaper online. For well-known brands, have a look at Additions Direct, Asos and MandMDirect for starters.
And try looking in the fashion category of Hotukdeals - this website lists member-submitted deals, voucher codes and discounts.
Finally, you can search by garment type, brand, size, style, colour and fabric on eBay, so it's a great resource if you're looking for something specific. There are real bargains to be had (I bought a lovely pair of boots for £6), just don't get carried away in a bidding war!
Sales Fever: Of course, many of us will be fighting our way through the New Year sales to grab a bargain. These days lots of high street stores begin their sales well before January, and in some cases even before Christmas, so if you're lucky you can pick up your party outfits at knock-down prices.
To make the process as painless as possible, try on everything in advance so you don't need to brave the huge fitting-room queues during the sales themselves. Make a list of what you want, to avoid ending up with all sorts of unfortunate impulse buys, and get there as early as you can on the day. Good luck!
Most of us are willing to spend a bit more on good-quality clothing that lasts for ages. Hopefully now, by saving money elsewhere, you'll be able to afford that perfect pair of jeans you've had your eye on!
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