Ok so we know what we like, but what do we NEED? You very well could have just gotten rid of most of your closet?! So let’s talk shopping and planning for the future.
We know our top 4-6 summer staple styles. But we’re already kinda done shopping for the summer (although if you do NEED anything, now’s a great time to scoop up some summer deals!) So let’s already be thinking ahead to fall. Let’s re-do the exercise with a few new fall items so you can plan. Let’s think back to last fall and winter. What were some of your most worn items. What’s something that you might have needed last year? What’s something you know you’ll need this year? For example, if you have a fall wedding coming up, if you wore out your everyday black booties, you need some brown knee boots, etc. Here are some fall staple items.
- Simple dresses (think shirt dresses, wrap dresses, “work” type dresses you may need/wear for work)
- Statement dresses (things you might need/wear for weddings, events, dressier occassions)
- Denim
- skinny jeans
- cropped/ankle jeans
- boyfriend style jeans
- flare jeans
- distressed jeans
- light wash
- dark wash
- Jackets
- denim
- leather
- suede
- statement (leopard, pink, studded, etc.)
- blazer
- Boots
- booties
- peep toe booties
- knee booties
- over the knee booties
- heeled booties
- flat booties
- color (black, brown, statement)
- Tops (button front tops are a great fall staple, flowy swing tops, any long sleeve top that you like)
- Sweaters (cardigans & oversized sweaters are a must have for me!)
Now that you’ve gone through your fall closet and seen where you have gaps and what you really need. Now is the time to buy. I’ll admit I hate when people suggest just going out and buying what you need because I don’t think that’s totally doable for everyone so I’m going to share my tips on how to shop smart! We all might not have an extra $1k to go spend on clothes! So today we’re all about shopping strategically! You can make that dollar go further just if you can just shop smarter!
How to Shop Smarter?
Shop Sales:
If you’ve been following along here for a while, you know I love a good sale. Who doesn’t?! I very rarely pay full price for anything. I don’t shop a ton throughout the year from anywhere other than My Kind of Lovely but I will snag some essentials from the big retailers during their sales. The Nordstrom Anniversary sale is happening right now and it’s usually a time when I buy some shoes, boots, jeans and maybe a jacket for the fall and winter. It’s a great way to get things that don’t often go on sale! Another one is the Shopbop Friends & Family sale in the spring. I bought my Citizens of Humanity flare jeans during that sale 5 years ago and I still wear them all the time! If you’re wanting to make a bigger designer purchase, definitely research sales, sign up for emails for a coupon code, download wikibuy or check out retailmenot.com, even 10% off helps!
This black faux leather jacket was a favorite purchase from the Nordstrom sale last year! (Shop a similar Topshop one for under $60 or a Levi’s one for under $100!)
Don’t Spend a Lot on Things You Don’t Wear Often:
Ok we’ve all made this mistake before. We have a nice wedding or event coming up so we need to look good. We splurge on that gorgeous Anthropologie or Show Me Your Mumu dress because it’s beautiful and perfect, we wear it and look gorgeous, and then it just sits in your closet. Stop spending money on things you only wear once! There are plenty local boutiques (ahem, My Kind of Lovely) that carry adorable under $50 dresses! Like how stinkin’ cute is this ruffled up dress? It’s only $44! Wear it a couple times this summer and into fall, then sell it to someone else! (Shop the dress here!)
Shop Consignment Sales & Discount Stores:
I know this kind of shopping isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but ya’ll, you can find some GOOD stuff at consignment sales, goodwill, thrift stores and even discount stores like Bargain Hunt! I’ve found some super cute and fun pieces at Statemint Consignment (if you’re local to Knoxville you should definitely check it out!) and I even just snagged the cutest little leopard midi skirt at Goodwill for $4.50 this week! You have to go into it with an open mind and quite a bit of time on your hands, but it’s worth it! One of a kind pieces for amazing prices!
I found these vintage floral culottes at Statemint’s spring sale! How stinkin’ fun are they?! They totally give me grandma vibes but I love em! I think I paid $10 for them and even if they’re just a fun one season wear, I’m only out $10!
Stock Up On Affordable Basics:
I love Old Navy for basics like tees, tanks and even jeans. If you shop their sales you can get some of these basics for $4-$12 and their jeans are rarely over $40. (They’re currently having up to 50% off jeans and tees right now! Stock up!) Having easy basics to pair with your higher end things can really make your closet go further. A basic black tank under a leather jacket makes for one of the easiest fall outfits!
A neutral tank and a denim jacket can be worn a hundred different ways! I’ve worn these time and time again and with something different each time!
Ok let’s get to shoppin’ ladies! Let me know what steals you’re finding out there!
