Difficult economy
makes your budget limited, but this does not mean that you are not allowed to
update fashionable and individual dresses for your wardrobe. Six shopping
experts will share with us some advice to beautify in the time of economic
regression.
Oxfam Oracle: Jen Holmes
- Master of clearance goods
Jen Holmes - Master of
clearance goods
‘When entering a shop
selling clearance goods like Oxfam Oracle, make sure you are aware of all corners
and counters in the shop so that you can hunt good clothings in cheap price.’
‘A few days ago, I
bought Gina, a branded pair of shoes, at Oxfam with just $12.08. They are kind
of classic shoes and can be worn with every dress. The top item I have got so
far is a luxurious Hermes purse brand-new in the box with only $6.40 at a tiny shop
in Leeds. Though I feel a bit guilty when buying expensive items in such good
bargain, it is really a shopping experience with interestingly cheap price.’
‘In York, where I live,
such kinds of shops are very polular. Expensive brandmarks on the dresses show
that they are high-glass fashionable clothes, and sometimes reflect their real
value. At that time, you will realize that it is worth spending time to find
out all different corners. ‘
‘Shops selling
clearance goods are good choice if you are looking for male clothings: female
fashion area is usually in inventory partly because men hardly shop in such shops.
Last winter I bought a greatly nice wool coat with $16. I often find
high-quality Thomas Pink shirts tieing waist as shirtwaists.’
‘Besides, you can also
look for household goods or unique gifts here. I once bought an antique
typewriter in which still contains an incomplete letter of the old owner in
1978.’
On my blog there is a
posting about how to shop in cheap price, and I give a session called ‘old
household shopping strategy’ to talk about the process of replacing all
households with olds items I bought at clearance shops, old goods fairs, and
auctions. It is not easy to buy expected items, but I think it is an
interesting experience and gives inspiration for those who shop in an
economical and distinctive way.
Jen’s tactics to hunt items at
clearance sales
Visit the shops frequently
‘If possible, visit the
shops every day. Clearance’s shop’s products are added continuously, not like
other kinds of shop which only add and update items once a week.’
Throroughly check details and small flaws
‘Check throroughly
everything. For example, check whether sewing lines are ripped, or whether
there are stains and washed-out marks, or whether there is even clothes’s smell
since it cannot be washed cleanly.’
Be careful when buying items
‘Do not buy all things
you want just because of cheap price. Consider whether it needs to be
dry-washed or fixed completely before wearing. If so, you have to spend more
money than you think.’
Do not take notice of label
‘Standards of size may
change over years, so so not skip the items you think unsuitable for you.’
Do not miss a thing just because it is imperfect
‘Keep in mind that you
always know how to redesign or change your items. I usually put off the old
shouler pads or replace buttons on my coats. If they are too big, you can cut
to make it shorter, or add an individual belt, and you have your expected
dress.’
Browse web to update useful infor and advice
To find inspiration for
this shopping tendency, I often visit Oxfam’s blog and other interesting blogs
called A Thrifty Mrs, Pretty Much Penniless, and Vintage Vixen.
