Find them, understand them, love them!
After all, with a combination of online, retail, catalog and secondhand options the potential is great for buying what you want for less.
Here's a handy guide to buying fashion at a price: Rules
* Never buy because of price alone; always buy because you first like the item. * Buy classics. Avoid the temptation to splurge on too-trendy pieces. Put your money in timeless pieces like sweaters, good jeans, wool separates and quality leather goods. If it's out of style (or quickly fading) you won't get your maximum $$$$ worth. * Check the return policy. Know the company's policy before you buy; be extremely wary of a company that won't take exchanges or charges a restocking fee. * Even designers make mistakes. There are plenty of ugly goods out there with a chi chi label sewn in the collar; discounters and outlet stores can be a dumping ground for the slow sellers. Good judgment and taste are your guides here
Why a bargain is a bargain
There's always a reason an item is being sold at less than retail.
Here are a few clues to a rock-bottom price:
* It's an end-of-season sale. * Demand for the item was less than expected. * The clothes arrived in the store at the wrong time of year (coats in the summer). * The weather was not conducive to business: cool summer, warm winter, etc. * It was bought at the tail end of a fad's popularity. * The item is damaged.
Resources Outlet store - Often grouped together in an outlet mall or warehouse area, the outlet store is a retail outlet for major brands and merchants to sell off-price (end-of-season, etc.) merchandise to the public. Sales - While many merchants at least double the cost of an item (they pay $25 for a shirt and charge you $50), some mark their retail prices much higher, only to promote items later (they pay $25 for a shirt, mark it $60, then promote it at 25% off -- or $48) Discount/Off-price - From online fashion stores like chicconline.com to brick and mortar stores like Isetan. FOS, the discounter or off-price retailer is all about offering you merchandise for less than you'd pay at a department store or specialty retailer.
www.chicconline.com
About the Author
An ex model who recently launched an online fashion store..