Embedded Files
“Never use the word “cheap”. Today everybody can look chic in inexpensive clothes (the rich buy them too). There is good clothing design on every level today. You can be the chicest thing in the world in a T-shirt and jeans — it’s up to you.” ― Karl Lagerfeld
Guest Idea: How to Build the Sustainable Wardrobe of Your Dreams
Inflation drives more people to secondhand apparel
10 Ways to Save Money Shopping for Clothes
How To Make Cheap Clothing Look Expensive
Saving Money on Good-Quality Shoes + Tips for Online Shoe Shopping
Swap Your Way to New Stuff: Swap Party Themes and Hosting Tips
Daily deals on clothing from Clarkdeals
How To Buy Suits for Pennies On The Dollar
Money-Saving Dry Cleaning Alternatives for Secondhand Finds
the Next Level 6210 shirts for about $5. inexpensive, high-quality t-shirts
6 Brick-and-Mortar Clothing Resale Shop Saving Secrets
Removing Food Stains From Clothing Effectively and Inexpensively
How To Score Big Clothing Savings With Coupon Stacking
Women's Best Selling Clothing | Hot Sale Clothing…at bargain prices
Tips for Hand-Laundering ‘Dry Clean Only’ Clothing
7 Ways to Extend the Life of That Little Black Dress (and Other Dress Clothes)
9 Ways To Extend the Life of Clothing
Frugal Tips for Getting Sweat Smells and Stains Out of Clothing
7 Simple Clothing Fixes Anyone Can Do
5 Ways To Save on Special Occasion Clothing
Affordable Outdoor Clothes for Winter
How to Build Your Own Capsule Wardrobe
The Best Places to Sell Used Clothes Online and In Person
Inexpensive Homemade Stain Remover Recipes and Remedies
get quality t-shirts for just a few dollars each: Next Level shirts from ClothingShopOnline.com
Affordable Wardrobe Accessories for the Workplace
7 Simple Clothing Fixes Anyone Can Do
8 Ways to Save Time and Money On Laundry
7 Tips to Avoid the Most Common Mistakes When Buying Jewelry
How to Build Your Own Capsule Wardrobe
How a Capsule Wardrobe Can Save You Money on Clothes
Rent-Wear-Save: The Pros and Cons of Clothing Rental Services
9 Ways to Extend the Life of Clothing
15 Fashionable Ways to Save on Clothes, Shoes and Accessories
How to Score Big Clothing Savings with Coupon Stacking
Kids on 45th Cheap Kids Clothing Adorable, Affordable, Clothes for your Kiddos Pre-Loved Clothes Starting at $1.99 per item
“11 Secrets to Finding Quality Clothing at Thrift Shops.”
Places were you can buy good quality used clothes:
Used Women's Clothing, Shoes & Accessories https://www.sytnordstrom.com/shop/womens No longer is the life of clothing a straight line from new to old: now it's a continuous circle. Explore See You Tomorrow online and in store at Nordstrom NYC. Shop Used Women's Clothing, Shoes & Accessories from your favorite designer and contemporary brands.
Thredup https://www.thredup.com thredUP is the world's largest online thrift store where you can buy and sell high-quality secondhand clothes. Find your favorite brands at up to 90% off.
The RealReal https://www.therealreal.com The RealReal is the leader in authenticated luxury consignment. All items are authenticated through a rigorous process overseen by experts. As a sustainable company, we give new life to pieces by brands from Chanel to Cartier, and hundreds more. Extend the lifecycle of luxury items. Join the consignment movement.
You can even make money off the clothes you no longer wear by selling them online using a service like thredUP. | The Largest Online Consignment & Thrift Store https://www.thredup.com. thredUP is the world's largest online thrift store where you can buy and sell high-quality secondhand clothes. Find your favorite brands at up to 90% off.
Before going to an outlet mall visit their websites first to find coupons for deeper discounts: www.premiumoutlets.com , www.tangeroutlet.com
Find terrific discounts of 35 to 70 percent at www.sierratradingpost.com on name brand outerwear, boots, shoes, sandals and sleepwear; also clothing for hiking, biking and camping.
The home page at www.landsend.com has a section called “overstocks” with serious bargains on men’s, women’s and children’s overstocked and not so perfect merchandise.
For all your knit and crocket needs get up to 75% off retail name brands at www.smileysyarns.com
Make money shopping. Mystery shoppers earn $25-$50 per project for sharing their shopping experience with company executives. Visit www.mysteryshop.org for more information or go to www.volition.com where mystery shoppers go to find work, ask questions and chat. Also check Smiley University which is an online school for mystery shoppers at www.aboutfacecorp.com
Log on to www.thebudgetfashionista.com for tips on how to save on clothing, accessories and more. Check on wallet friendly retailers like www.marshallsonline.com for great deals on designer name brands.
Sell or trade in everything from coats and jeans and accessories at www.swapstyle.com
Buy second hand goods at stores run by hospitals, churches and other charities which tend to be lower price and of better quality that for profit shops. Log on to www.thethriftshopper.com and enter your zip code for a list of charity run shops in your area.
3 Places to Sell Your Children’s Clothes for Quick Cash
13 Ways to Save on Clothing Without Sacrificing Quality
Social Media Steals: How To Use Facebook to Save on Fashion
Getting Kids to Be Happy With Hand-Me-Down Clothing
How to Score Big Clothing Savings with Coupon Stacking
11 Best Places to Buy Cheap Clothes Online - Frugal Rule
How To Create A Capsule Wardrobe: A Beginner's Guide
Tips for Avoiding Dry Cleaning Bills
7 Ways to Extend the Life of That Little Black Dress (and Other Dress Clothes)
Dry Clothing the Right Way for Wrinkle-Free Results
How to Air Dry Clothes without Stiffness
How To Get Diesel Smell Out of Clothes: 9 Money-Saving Solutions
QUOTES:
A LAUNDRY INVESTMENT THAT SAVES HUNDREDS: I don't iron! I just hate it. My husband's clothing, however, must be neatly pressed for work. My solution for the first 10 years of our marriage was to take it all to the cleaners to be cleaned and pressed. Problem solved. I eventually realized we were spending, literally, over a thousand dollars a year on this "solution." I wanted to use that money for other things like paying off credit card debt. My new solution started with the purchase of a fabric steamer! I purchased it at a warehouse club and figured that after two weeks this item would pay for itself and it did! Now I wash my husband's work clothes on the delicate cycle, with cold wash and cold rinse. I dry them on very low heat and take them out while they are slightly damp and hang them up right away. This minimizes the wrinkles. I've also found that some of the fabrics that his pants are made of are virtually wrinkle free when they are taken out of the dryer immediately. Then, in the morning, I only need touch up the clothes that he is planning to wear that day with the fabric steamer. I haven't really added any work to my schedule since I no longer have to make trips to the dry cleaners. I've only added a couple extra loads of wash and a couple of minutes in the morning to steam his clothes. But the money I've saved over the last six months is incredible! By my calculations, it's already more than $600! The only items that I still send to the dry cleaners are his suits. Over all, I would definitely recommend a fabric steamer for those who just hate to iron, but still want to save some money. Audrey K. from Dollar Stretcher Tips
Longer-Lasting Clothes: To stretch my clothing budget, I like to buy good quality clothes and make them last. I do two things that are a big help in that. First, I not only separate by color, but by the type of cloth. I also close zippers and button blouses inside out, so they don't tear up other items when they're being agitated. Washing takes a little longer, but my clothes look good for many, many wears. Doreen from Dollar Stretcher Tips
Prolonging the Life of Clothing: There has been a lot of of talk about fast fashion the past years. Here's my solution. I buy most of my clothing at thrift stores but I value a great fit and like to hold on to things as long as possible. The key to this is to wash on the gentle cycle and never put these items in the dryer. I have clothing I purchased 30 years ago and have worn hundreds of times. I have several drying racks in the basement (formerly in my bedroom) where I leave things overnight to dry. There is virtually no wear on these items when laundered this way. they'll last forever! JD in St. Louis from Dollar tretcher Tips
Holiday Chic Made Easy: After Christmas 5 or 6 years ago, I purchased black washable lined velvet pants on sale. Finding an inexpensive top to go with them each year is an easy task. Classy, shiny or even glitter have gotten me through the 3 or 4 parties and concerts my husband and I attend each year. I also decided that if this type of wardrobe does not fit the party, I likely do not need to be there! Karen
Winter Wear at the Ready: My kids are continuously misplacing their winter hat and gloves. At a dollar store, I bought the small laundry bags that are white and zip. They have a loop on them. I hang a bag on each hanger with our winter coats. I place the scarf and gloves and earmuffs that belong with that coat inside. When it is time to wear the coat, we have all the extras there. We no longer have to hunt for the missing glove. This works well for each member of the family. Nancy from Dollar Stretcher Tips
Keep Clothes Looking New: After checking for (and treating if needed) stains, I wash our clothes inside out. Also, I sort clothes so that I don't wash more fragile items with rougher materials like jeans or clothes with zippers. You might be surprised at how doing this prevents pilling and lots of other damage to your clothes. One exception: I don't wash socks inside out, but right side out so that grass, dirt, etc. is cleaned away properly. Janey from Dollar Stretcher Tips
A Cheap Solution for Ring-Aroung-the-Collar: My husband's uniform includes a white shirt. He is often in this shirt for 10 hours a day, and the ring around the collar used to frustrate me at laundry time. After trying all kinds of expensive pre-soaks, I have come across the easiest and fastest way to get those collars clean. I wet the collar, spray with an inexpensive all-purpose cleaner, and then put a blob of cheap shampoo on the stains. Next, I use a fingernail brush and lightly work into a lather. After letting this sit for several minutes, I then rinse clean and wash the shirt in the regular wash cycle. The shampoo loosens the body oil and the cleaner helps to release the stain. It's fast and easy! Mary from Dollar Stretcher Tips
Handwashing Dry Clean Only Clothing: Something my daughter-in-law taught me years ago: Regarding garments that say dry clean only, you may want to try just gently hand washing and air drying the item instead. Especially if you are buying one at a thrift store at a low price (and may be planning only to wear it under other layers), it's well worth taking a chance. I found that I was able to buy many of these that came through hand laundering so well that I could wear them as part of a very dressy business wardrobe. They will need pressing (something the dry cleaners may have done for you in the past), but using a silk setting on your iron will yield a beautiful result for far less than the cost of professional cleaning. HL from Dollar Stretcher Tips
My Clothing Allowance Card: I like the idea of the reloadable gift card for spending money. I have done that with my "clothing allowance."Being an avid clothes shopper, I budget for the clothing I may want with whatever percentage that works for my budget. I put that on the reloadable card. When the clothing allowance is gone, it's gone until next time. This way, I can get a garment anytime from almost anywhere online or at the store. It goes on this budgeted gift card. This works for me! I don't feel like I've overspent, and I'm not guilty of bringing something new home without thinking about it first. My "wants" no longer interfere with my "needs." C in South Carolina from Dollar Stretcher Tips
The Benefits of a Simpler Wardrobe: Almost a year ago, I made a change to my wardrobe that yielded unexpected benefits. I began wearing only black clothing. I'd read an interview with a celebrity who said she did that to simplify her life. The more I thought about the idea, the more I liked it. I stored every "non-black" piece of clothing I owned (in case I changed my mind) and began wearing only black. I had several long-sleeved and short-sleeved shirts, two skirts, and several pairs of slacks and jeans. Not only did it free up time getting ready for work, but it also took my focus off "fashion" (I was never very fashion-conscious to begin with) and onto more important matters. I shop at thrift stores anyway, and it has become a fun challenge to see if I can find an item to supplement my wardrobe. If I begin to have too many items, I simplify again. My motto now is "less is more." With this decision, I have gained time, money, space, fun and peace of mind.
Jari from Dollar Stretcher Tips
Renewing White T-Shirts: When white t-shirts get underarm stains, dilute one part liquid detergent to three parts water and spray on the stain using a spray bottle. Then sprinkle on baking soda and spray again. Gently rub in the baking soda. After laundering, let the shirt air dry. You'll be surprised how well this works in restoring whiteness.
Helen from Dollar Stretcher Tips
A Few Tips for Clothing Growing Boys for Less: If you buy new boys' clothes, patch the inside of the knees after the first wash. They last about five times as long. A package of navy blue or black dye can revive faded jeans or other dark clothing. Before dyeing, check that the jeans are all cotton and follow the directions on the dye package. If you sew, you can cut down larger clothes for boys. For example, a hand-me-down man's shirt can provide enough usable material to make a boy's shirt.
Evelyn from Dollar Stretcher Tips
Saving More on Clearance Clothing: Remember to inspect in-store clothing purchases closely, especially clearance items that may have been in the store for a while. If you find a minor flaw, such as a loose button, inconspicuous stain, etc., ask for a discount. I purchased a blouse today with a smudge of foundation makeup on the neckline. I got a 15% discount on top of the clearance and coupon discounts. The stain came right out in the wash with pre-treatment and quality detergent.
Carrie from Dollar Stretcher Tips
A Stinky Clothes Solution: My husband has a dirty job that destroys clothes with oil, diesel and other fluids that stain and stink. To keep from having to purchase new clothes (and to keep him from smelling), I wash his dirty clothes in hot water with:
1 cup of lemon ammonia
1/2 cup of orange GoJo® hand cleaner
1 cap full of fabric softener
My usual detergent
Then, I let them soak in the hot water for a few hours in this mixture. They come out smelling better, looking better and helping my budget by not having to keep replacing his old work clothes. And when I do have to replace them, I go to yard sales.
Michelle from Dollar Stretcher Tips
A Nice Dress for Less: There is a nice consignment shop in town. For the rare occasion that I need a "fancy" dress, I purchase a lovely dress and wear it for the occasion. The following Monday, I return to the consignment store and consign the dress myself. When it sells, I recoup my money. Julia from Dollar Stretcher Tips
Laundry Money-Saving Tips: Part One
Here are some tips that save me money and allow me to use the best detergent on all my laundry:
Sort colors. Put delicates in mesh bags so you can add them to your regular load. Turn all clothing inside out and zip and button to lessen wear. I wash silk pillowcases and other silk items in the washer this way, as well as delicate lingerie. Do *not* put silk in the dryer.
Use the least amount of detergent that will clean your items. The HE (high efficiency) detergents are very concentrated, so it only takes 1–2 tablespoons per full load — since modern washers use much less water than old-style agitator washers. Measure for best results.
In the winter, consider using drying racks in the main living areas of your house to add moisture as items dry quickly. I sometimes put things on a rack while waiting for a prior dryer load to finish. I let jeans dry almost entirely and then put them in the dryer for a few minutes to soften them.
Sort items for drying. I often wash a few towels with clothing, but I dry them separately since they require different heat levels.
Dry several loads in succession to take advantage of an already-heated dryer. If a few items are not entirely dry, put them aside and then run the dryer on air only with these items for under 10 minutes. They will usually dry entirely during that time.
Barbara from Dollar Stretcher Tips
Laundry Money-Saving Tips: Part Two
Editor's note: If you missed Part One of this tip, see the 12/17 issue (Tuesday).
If you have moderately hard water and no water softener, consider adding a small amount of borax to each load. I dissolve a tablespoon of borax in 2 cups of warm water and use about 1/4 cup per washer load.
I don't use fabric softener except on flannel sheets where it is explicitly called for. I bought six wool dryer balls online, cheaper than in local stores. They still work after more than two years.
Always promptly remove items in the dryer and fold or hang them to allow any wrinkles to hang out.I use a steamer on t-shirts and other slightly wrinkled items. I hang the items, then steam them. It takes less time than ironing. Be sure to use distilled water so the steamer doesn't clog.
Barbara from Dollar Stretcher Tips
Winterizing Shoes for Less: Here's a tip that I've been using for years. Instead of buying a tiny can of waterproofing specifically for shoes from a shoe store, go to your local superstore or online and buy a can of weatherproofing spray sold with the camping supplies. (Scotchguard is one affordable brand safe for polyester, nylon, polypropylene, cotton, leather and suede. You may find other cheaper brands. You can get a spray bottle nearly three times as large as the little can they try to sell you in shoe stores. After putting on a couple of coats, as they suggest, the tiny can is nearly gone, but the large (and cheaper) can will do multiple pairs of shoes/boots. I've used it on everything from suede shoes to my leather jacket! (You should always do a test on a spot of the shoe or jacket that is less noticeable before spraying the entire shoe or jacket.) Almost any waterproofing spray will darken the shoe slightly. However, I've never experienced a noticeable difference after the spray dries.
Renee from Dollar Stretcher Tips
A Business Wardrobe for Less: I have a few female co-workers who frequently complain about how expensive business attire is, and I am sure it is these days, but I have not had to buy work clothes for over a decade. When I initially had to invest in a business wardrobe, my mom helped me shop for quality secondhand designer clothing — including shoes. Everything I bought was in like-new condition and very well made — and I got most pieces for an 80 to 90% discount. I chose classic styles that never seem to go out of fashion and have never felt my wardrobe appears dated. To get as much wear as I can from my wardrobe, I wash my work clothing on a delicate cycle and hang everything to dry. I feel my clothing lasts longer when I avoid the heat of the dryer. With the many secondhand websites for women's clothing now available (my favorite is ThredUp), it is easy to build a high-quality business wardrobe without spending a fortune. Just make sure you read each site's return policies carefully, as well as clothing descriptions and measurements, so you don't get stuck with something you can't wear or return. Calie from Dollar Stretcher Tips
One Benefit of Buying Secondhand Clothing: I like to buy secondhand clothing. When you first see it, you are seeing it after it has been through the wash several times, and if it looks pretty good, that's how it will look in 10+ more laundering, so it is durable! You know how it will wear. Have you ever bought a piece of clothing brand-new, and then it looked completely different after you washed it? Maybe seams came loose, buttons fell off, the color changed or the fabric changed character. At a secondhand shop, what you see is definitely what you get.
Anne from Dollar Stretcher Tips
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse