As New York Fashion Week draws to a close, many of the clothes we’ve seen on the runway will be trickling on down to the high street. However, it’s safe to say that many of those outfits are out of budget for the everyday consumer, and even clothes on the high street are often expensive.
That’s why we’ve put together some tips on saving money when buying fashion – which double up as being planet-friendly (if that’s your thing, check out the RCI Bank E-Volve savings account: www.rcibank.co.uk/savings/E-Volve-Savings-notice-account).
1. Avoid trendy clothes – It can be tempting to buy what’s in fashion right now, but unless you (or your bank account) are prepared to keep up with the cycle, trends can leave you in the dust before you’ve flashed the plastic. Plus, as fashion inspiration moves further and further online, what’s in vogue is becoming fickler, and – unfortunately – more elusive. So, we recommend choosing timeless styles that will stick around a little longer – as the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
2. Stitch your holes – Alternatively, if it is broke, do fix it. Rather than running straight to the store when your favourite pieces wear down, try picking up a sewing kit and trying your hand at a cross stitch. If you’re feeling creative – or you’ve got a bigger hole – we’d recommend picking up some contrasting fabric to stich over the top. This way, you can inject a little life into your wardrobe too.
3. Tinker tailor – If you’re feeling a little less crafty, taking clothes to the tailor is also an option to get something repaired. Despite the cost-of-living crisis, a quick sew-and-go won’t break the bank and usually will be cheaper than replacing the item. The same goes for if something doesn’t fit right anymore – a good tailor can make magic happen.
4. Wait 48 hours before buying – in our previous blogs, we discussed the psychology of spending decisions. The speedier the purchase, the more likely it is to be made on gut instinct. However, whilst we discourage our customers to overthink what they wear, we know when a dress is destined to gather more cobwebs than side-eyes. If you can’t think of a specific place or occasion to wear it at, don’t buy it.
5. Be careful with sales – we know our customers like a deal when they see one. When it comes to the high-street however, not is all that meets the eye. Retailers will often list clothes for a short period at unrealistically high prices, just to be able to say they’ve reduced it later. Don’t be fooled - try and imagine the sale price as the original and see if you still want it.
