Do you know how to shop for yourself and find things that make you look great? Do you know how to do it on very little money (thrift shops, clearance, etc.) or do you splurge when you find the perfect thing? What seems a reasonable budget to put together one nice (not jeans/t-shirt) outfit to you, when you think of the cost of the different elements in it--top, bottom, shoes, accessories, blazer if necessary?

This is something I struggle with a lot! I am NOT smart about clothes. This is one way I ran up a lot of CC debt far in the past (and I didn't even manage to look great, despite the money). But I have dropped a lot of weight, so none of my old things fit me, and I am starting back to work, and would really like to look nice. I know sometimes spending more on an item that really suits you can be smarter than spending little on something that doesn't, but of course I hate to end up spending a lot on something that doesn't suit me, and I would rather spend a very little on a great item. One of my favorite pairs of work pants until I shrank out of it was only $4 off a clearance rack. That's the kind of thing I wish I could find more of, but I hate, hate, hate to shop.

What about everyone else? Is this something you're good at or struggle with?

I'm pretty good at it - I shop thrift stores for clothes and manage to find things I like there on a fairly regular basis. Of course, part of that is because people donate stuff that is out of current style to thrift stores and I still like to dress in older styles - peasant blouses, poet shirts, gypsy skirts, beads and fringe, paisley, bell bottoms, miniskirts, hip huggers, long brocade jackets - you get the picture.
If you have clothes you like that are now too big, is it possible for you to take them in? I don't have a sewing machine, but I have a friend who does, and she and I barter favors when I need a garment altered.

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I don't pay full price for anything...and I can't shop at Kohls without some kind of coupon in hand!

I also love scouring the sales racks and I typically head to Ross or TJ Maxx if I am wanting something brand name'ish!

I get more of a high from SAVING money than I do from actually buying clothes in general!

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I'd say I need to work a little more on it. I do go to alot of garage sales, thrift shops, goodwill, and ALOT of clearance racks. But if I find something I really like I usually buy it IF its not to outrageous of a price.

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See, I don't think I know when to spend money and when not to. And I can never manage to put together an outfit from thrift stores, I'm so jealous of the friends I know who look smashing and got most of it at thrift stores. I actually don't spend much money on clothes at all anymore, but I never know when I should go ahead and spend the money.

I prefer to have less clothes that are of higher quality than something I got inexpensively at a discount department store.

I'm not knocking walmart or anything, but every time I buy clothes from that type of store it will fall apart, rip, fade, shrink, etc...

While I don't like spending more money on clothing, I love washing a favorite skirt for the 30th time and having it look the same as the day I bought it.

I also have a tough time finding stuff at thrift stores that looks good and fits well. When I can find something good it makes me super excited because I know it will last. If you think about it, whatever you are buying has already been washed and most likely dried. It has probably shrunk as much as it ever will and if it looks good on the rack then it's probably of really good quality.

The nice thing about used clothing is that there are no surprises. (of course that is provided you look at the clothes in good light so you see any stains before hand)