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The
Clothing Chronicles
August 4, 2005 #191
FashionForRealWomen.com
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In This Issue:
Message
From Diana
Feature
Article: Secrets for Shopping the Seasonal Sales
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>>
MESSAGE FROM DIANA
If you didn't
get all of last week's article, "5 Rules for Wearing Designer
Apparel," you're not alone. Several people wrote to say the
article cut off after the first "rule," so if you were one
of them and would like to
read the
article in its entirety, you can do so here:
http://www.theclothingchronicles.com/archives/190-07292005.htm
So what's on
tap for today's article? A look at how to shop the seasonal sales effectively.
Enjoy!
Diana
diana@fashionforrealwomen.com
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>
FEATURE ARTICLE
Secrets for
Shopping The Seasonal Sales
If you've been
putting off adding to your wardrobe this season, the "last
call" bell has officially rung. Retailers are clearing out the
current season inventory to make way for the new stuff, so if you act
fast, you could make out like a bandit.
But before you
pull out your credit card and whip yourself into a shopping frenzy,
stop. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.
Because unless
you follow a few simple guidelines, all those "really great"
deals you couldn't resist could become closet clutter that you never
wear.
Don't let this
happen to you.
Instead,
analyze each piece from a logical standpoint; don't just focus on the
amount of money you'll save. After all, a bargain is only a bargain
if you wear it, use it, and love it.
Here are the
questions you need to ask yourself about each piece BEFORE you head
to the cash register:
1. Does
this fit into my existing wardrobe?
If you can
wear it tomorrow with stuff you already own, you could have a winner
on your hands. If you'd have to buy other pieces to make it work,
your "bargain" could end up costing a bundle or worse yet,
hang in the back of your closet forever for lack of a coordinating piece.
2. Does it
fit me properly?
If the fit
isn't right and the garment wouldn't be acceptable to you at full
price, it shouldn't be acceptable to you at a discounted price. An
improper fit means either a trip to a seamstress, or an item that's
never worn.
3. Does
this fill a void in my closet?
Need a little
black dress? A new umbrella? A lightweight jacket? A new briefcase?
Try to fill the voids in your wardrobe BEFORE you start adding
duplicates or items you don't need. If you're especially clever with
the sales, you might even manage to snag several items for the price
you'd plan to spend on one.
4. Will I
maintain the fabric?
Here's the one
piece of the puzzle that's often overlooked. Don't just be dazzled by
how the item looks while it's at its shiny best on the sales floor.
Check the garment care label. If you have to take it the cleaners,
hand wash it, or press it before every wearing, it may be more
trouble than it's worth. Be realistic about your lifestyle and your
schedule. If you're not going to maintain it, leave it on the rack.
5. Does
this fit into my budget?
According to a
recent poll, 54% of women buy clothing on impulse. As in unplanned
purchase. As in breaking the budget. If you have a tiny clothing
allowance, don't let the 75% off tags cloud your thinking, even on
those brand names you love. If you can't pay cash for it, you're
probably overspending.
End-of-Season
sales are a great way to stretch your clothing budget, so long as you
shop them responsibly. Fill the voids, demand proper fit, and make
sure each piece will work in your wardrobe. If you can't think of a
single reason to buy something other than the
fact that it's
been drastically reduced, walk away. Your money is better spent
elsewhere.
Don't have
time to troll the malls looking for deals? Then check out the
remaining inventories of these popular online merchants,
http://www.fashionforrealwomen.com/resources.htm
But hurry -
sales end soon!
|
Need some more
help in putting together a wardrobe that works? Download a copy of
WARDROBE MAGIC,
http://www.wardrobemagic.com
to see how
easy dressing well can be. |
 |
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Until next time,
Diana Pemberton-Sikes
diana@fashionforrealwomen.com
http://www.FashionForRealWomen.com
http://www.FashionSavvy.com
http://www.WardrobeMagic.com
http://www.FashionJobReview.com
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Published by:
Top Drawer
Publications, LLC
256 S. College Ave.
Newark, DE
19711 USA
Copyright
© 2005 by Diana Pemberton-Sikes All rights reserved. |