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When you go through a big life change, like having a baby, leaving high school for uni or uni for the workforce, it's also important to update your wardrobe. But how do you do that when your bank balance is low and you can't actually afford to spend all that money on a new look? You shop wisely, read my tips and save your dollars!
Post high school
You're no longer in seventh form and your kind of glad about that! But how are you meant to afford a new wardrobe when you work part time and you're saving for uni? Throw away the things that say 'I'm 17': You know the things I'm talking about; the things that couldn’t be worn by anyone over the age of 19. If you don’t want to be so brutal with your clothing, then at least put it away! The teenaged clothing is not really going to be in your daily rotation anymore. Sell your school uniform: Talk to your folks and ask if you can arrange to sell your uniform, and if you can – can you take a cut of the profits? If your school has blazers, or expensive wool blend skirts you will find that you will get a lot of money out of these pieces as new school students rarely want to fork out full price for those items. Don’t worry: Even though you feel as though you will stick out like a first year, remember that uni is a pretty casual place. Most people tend to wear jeans, tees and hoodies, and most of these people don’t have a huge amount of money to spend on clothing. Choose to buy a few key pieces to pull you through and mix and match with your old favourites.  Post UniYour shiny new qualification is bound to open doors into your chosen career, but will your wardrobe stand up to your new found working status? Buy a jacket: You don’t need a suit, but a jacket will pull you through so many social situations and let’s face it - if it's black and your skirt is black will anyone even notice the two aren’t made specifically to go together? Choose a classic style with small lapels, a little gape at the bust and either a single or a double button.
Minimal detailing means you can wear it with nearly everything: hunt one out at Portmans or the corporate sections of Supre or Glassons. Separate out your wardrobe: Go through your wardrobe and separate it out into piles of things you can wear to a work environment, and those you can’t. Not only will it make a clear distinction in your own mind about what’s appropriate, it will easily allow you to see gaps and fill them. Discover the joy that is op shopping: Trade Me and second hand stores are full of work wear, possibly from people like you who thought they needed a full suit for their first job interview. Capitalise on their mistakes by buying your first set of dress shirts, suits and corporate wear from them, instead of shelling out full price at chain stores.  Post baby bumpYou spend all that money on maternity wear only to realise that post baby it won't fit, and your old wardrobe of favourites doesn’t feel right either. Make some dough: Sell your no longer needed maternity wear on Trade Me to earn a little extra cash. You won’t need them again for a little while at least, and even if you do decide to have a second child who knows if they will still be in fashion!
Shop the chains: No one says you have to buy investment level clothing straight away; choose a list of four items that you would really love to replace (a black dress, a black pair of pants ect) and then buy these from a cheap and cheerful chain.
Wear your old things: Make the most of things you already have in your wardrobe - things with a little stretch, or a loose or wrap fit. However don’t punish yourself by lamenting over the things you can no longer wear – it’s not worth the effort! Anya Merryfield |
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