Where to shop when on a serious budget

Joe — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 08:10:07 +0000

From the Mailbag: Shopping on an entry level job budget

I’m 23, recently employed, and want to stop looking like a boy pretending to be a man. I’ve been reading Dappered for a while and have learned a lot, but I’m struggling a bit on where to look for new clothes. Especially places that wont break my entry level salary.

- Andrew

First, congrats to Andrew. Welcome to the real world, and no matter how frustrating the minutia of real adulthood gets, always remember that those who say: “College/High School was the best time of my life” are doing it wrong.

Outfitting yourself in your early 20s has just as much to do with when you shop and how it fits as to where you spend that hard earned money. It’s a bit of a game and the idea here is to help you play it well. With that in mind, here’s five locations to consider spending what little hard earned money you have.
.

1. Thrift Stores, Savers, and Value Village

Haystacks. But there are needles.

Thrifting is like golf. You can go six times and have crap results, yet all it takes is one good outing and you’re hooked once again. It takes patience but thrift stores, especially upgraded versions like Savers, can be a solid bet.

Look for: Blazers, t-shirts, merino sweaters, and button downs. Keep an eye out for good labels.

2. Marshall’s, T.J. Maxx and Ross “Dress for Less”

There will be screaming kids.

These so called “Off-Price” retailers are sort of like the unworn/unused garage sales of retail. The stuff is all new, but it’s overstock and leftovers. Don’t expect to leave with something great every time. Marshalls store photo credit

Look for: Accessories like belts & solid ties, dress shirts which will need tailoring, and basics like underwear.

3. Target. No, really. Target.

Merona's "ultimate" dress shirt is a good budget option.

Maybe not for a suit or blazer, but if you’re looking for any kind of casual stuff or even dressed up basics, try Target. Specifically their Mossimo line for your dressed down gear, and their Merona brand for ties and pocket squares.

Look for: The Timex Weekender, ties, dress shirts, trim polos and solid athletic t-shirts.

4. GAP, Banana Republic and J. Crew FACTORY during sales

The Sportcoat Triumvirate

You’ll have to be disciplined, but wait for 30% off sales. It’s worth it if you’re on a budget since you could score a suit for under $200, and blazers in the low $100s or double digits. Get lucky with a fit and you could skip tailoring.

Look for: Well fitting off the rack blazers, button downs, v-necks, and outerwear.

5. Macy’s during a One Day Sale

It's actually two days, but who's counting?

These happen about once a month. They also happen over two days (kinda like the Big 10 conference having a dozen teams.) Regular price items could easily be half off during these things. Lots to pick from, not all of it’s good.

Look for: Hilfiger Trim Fit suits for $225, INC blazers for cheap, Levi’s & Dockers D1s for $30-$40, CK shirts for $30.
.

Some Final Tips

Get a tailor and make fit a priority. Clothes that fit well look 10x more expensive.
That said, you can skip dress shirt tailoring (for now) if your jackets are tailored and you wear one all the time.
Don’t forget about outlet malls.
Ebay is risky, but can pay off.
Always keep in mind the reasons why you SHOULDN’T buy something.
Flipping through the $1500 wardrobe might not be a bad idea.

What else? We’ve all been here. Suggestions go below. More here in this piece written for Primer. Top Photo Credit

How to save $70 – $90 A Month.

Joe — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 07:29:02 +0000

Bertucci Watch – $90.00 | Lucky Brand Jeans – $80.00 | Land’s End Chino Blazer – $69.50

Believe it or not, that thing on the left is a TV antenna.

Gone is the era of the bunny ears. An antenna that looks that good and blends in that well might just get you to kill your Cable or Satellite. Do that and you’ll save enough to get that Chino Blazer, a pair of usually too expensive jeans, or a new slick field watch. Every Month.

The average cable or satellite bill is now between $70 and $80 a month, and within five years that figure is expected to jump to around $95. That’s a lot. And it’s time to reevaluate if you actually watch and enjoy that much TV. Each of the items above are between what the average cable bill is now, and what it will be by 2015. Think about it. Plus, ever since the DTV transition, you’ve had less and less reason to actually pay for television.

Most free over the air TV stations are now running at least two, and sometimes upwards of four channels on one signal. Most markets now have four separate channels of PBS alone. That gives you options like Globe Trekker, Frontline, and Nova in prime time on an almost nightly basis.

Perhaps having less to watch on TV means you’ll actually go out and do something. Or, more of what you already like to go out and do. This way, not only will you get out and do more, you’ll look better while doing it.

Dappered » Budget