Dress bought on Target clearance rack for $6, three sizes too big! 5 minutes and straight stitches on the sewing machine quickly transformed this dress from "reject" to "ravishing!"
I don’t know that looking good makes it to the top five of my daily priorities. Most days, I’m doing really well if I get a shower in. These are the days that my boys will say, “Mama, you look so beautiful!” Beautiful, because I actually did my hair and put on clothes that matched.
This is a letter I recently received from a reader:
Hi Ruth!
I so enjoy your blog, and share your heart for your home and family! Thanks for helping me do better, even from afar…if you lived closer, I’m sure we’d be friends:)
So, if you have two seconds, I have a question. Where do you shop for clothes? I have so little time and seem to only pick up things from Target these days! I was sorting through my clothes today…after 3 babes in 4 years, I don’t know what fits! I realized I need to get some new staples. I have a similar style to you, so I thought I would ask for some help! Simple staples, casual style and affordable! I would shop at Anthropologie if I could afford it!
Thanks. Blessings to you and yours!
Jen, from Indianapolis
I love it when you all write me! I so enjoy getting to know you, and feel blessed to know the commonality we share across the globe.
So the truth is, I’d love to host What Not To Wear. I’ve only seen the show 2 or 3 times, but that’s all you really need anyway. {grin} It’s so satisfying to find a wardrobe (or decorate your house, for that matter!) with a style that fits your personality, body-type, and budget.
Here are 12 random tips I follow myself:
1. Limit Target shopping to only sales racks…as in 50% or more off. They have cute clothes, but quality-wise, it’s never worth paying full price. I generally never spend more than $10 on anything from Target.
2. Buy fewer, but better. I like the quality of the Gap over Old Navy, for instance. Gap has amazingly good deals on their sales racks, and, if you are patient, everything ends up on the clearance rack. So wait for it. My rule of thumb is no more than $15 for a top there, and no more than $25 for jeans. There’s always the occasional splurge, but rarely without a coupon or gifted money!
3. Buying fewer pieces at better quality will ensure that you purchase things that last and work with the rest of your wardrobe, rather than always responding to some cheapy new trend. But, who doesn’t like to get in on some of the fun accessories and trends? Just make sure to find those at the trendy teen stores, like Forever 21, where you can afford to buy a floral headband that will come and go.
4. You find deals when you go shopping more than once a year! So…while shopping all the time as a pastime is dangerous, you will find good deals if you know when and where to look for them. I always ask what day a store has markdowns and do a little walk through the mall as an outing with the kids, once or twice a month on those days. I find deals because I look for them. That’s the truth.
5. I know it sounds boring, but I buy almost everything in solid staple colors like black, cream, gray, and navy. That’s just a choice, for simplicity sake. Simplicity and sophistication. Looking classy is way easier to achieve with solids than with patterns, in my opinion. I don’t like to get bogged down with whether something goes with something else. I only have a small window of time to get ready on any given day! Choose colors and pieces that are simple, but can be dressed up with a few accessories. By the way, I don’t mean solid colored t-shirts either. Have fun with shape, detailing, and fits that are flattering. Just make sure it’s a look that will keep on giving…
6. Buy for fit, not for size. Who cares, ultimately, what size something is, if it looks flattering on you!
7. My fave outfit is dark skinny jeans, black top, cardigan or denim jacket, and flats. Chic without trying too hard. We live in a time where dark jeans can be perfectly acceptable at dressier events. Invest in a great pair of dark denim trouser jeans or skinny jeans, and you’ll have half the work figured out for any occasion.
8. Try adding one trendy item in at a time. Do scarves, or gladiators, or camo, or ruffles….but don’t do all of them together at once. Ever.
9. Every girl should own a nice belt. A belt cinched over a dress, a cardigan, or even over a few layers, can really pull it together, and give you a waist. I picked up a summer woven leather one in Gap men’s department, for $3.97!
10. If you sometimes feel a bit stuck between grown up and teeny bopper, but you’re just not ready to do all your shopping in the Women’s Department at JC Penny, two great stores for clearance rack prices and fit are: LOFT, and The Gap. TJ Maxx is great if you have the time and energy, but being choosy is the key. Sometimes Kohl’s is great, though I find their quality lacking after a few washes. Just my opinion.
11. Buy what you love. We may be moms, but we don’t have to dress sans personality.
12. If you don’t know what you love, spend some time exploring it…not to foster materialism or superficiality, but rather to make the presentation of ourselves an area of intentional graciousness and not reactionary carelessness.
Everyone’s sense of style is different, as is each woman’s budget. But here’s the point: Wise choices and a little effort can revive a tired wardrobe, and help us enjoy fashion rather than become a slave to it. While motherhood often calls us to replace self with sacrifice, the Lord is pleased when we pursue loveliness…to adorn and reflect the beauty of Christ.
Are any of these 12 tips idease you follow as well? Please share…I’m sure I have much to learn!
 |
Great advice!
)
I shopped around Goodwill stores until I found one that consistently had “hidden treasures” from time to time. It’s a drive, but the store is in a more expensive area of housing ~ and I’m convinced there is a woman whose wardrobe I’m buying as I can always find my style in my size
I totally agree with Kohl’s and Target clothes as they do not seem to wear well.
If you’re going to buy cheap tee-shirts… make sure they are overly long as they will most definitely shrink.
Now, you gotta give us decorating tips! I’m moving to a home that has shrieking pea green walls in the great room and the same “lovely” green and shocking orange in the master bedroom. I’m trying to find a website that shows good ideas for home colors and decorating as we are ditching our 19 year old “newlywed” furniture this time.
It’s a clean slate and I’m completely overwhelmed!!!
LOVE your style, woman!
I love your 12! I agree with you, it is better to have a few quality items. I definitely have my own style and do not really pay attention to latest trends. It is hard living in a college town where the Forever 21 is the size of a Macy’s! I try to keep it basic too, solid tops and one nice pair of jeans for special occasions. I love thrift stores for scarfs, belts and shoes. Yes, shoes! I found a never been worn pair of Kenneth Cole heels for $15 and it was 15% day. Patience when it comes to deals and if I really want something different I will sew it. Great post.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing. We really haven’t hung out in a while, but I am sure you look lovely as always everyday.
I loved this post. Great tips, many of them I follow myself. The only one I would add is not to be afraid of browsing the thrift store for clothes because it is amazing what people will donate (especially in a college town)!
Heather–Totally agree about the t-shirts. They’ve gotta be long! And home decorating…yes, been thinking about posting on tips for awhile now. Perhaps I’ll get around to that! I wish I could go furniture shopping with you! I’ll do a consult if you want!
Keilah–That’s awesome that you found nice shoes at the thrift store! I agree about sewing…you can always make anything your own.
Becky–We must hang out this summer!
Christian–That’s for sure! Thrift stores can be fantastic if you look for quality items. I went into our Savers, looking for a denim jacket and came out with a $5 from the Gap that fits perfectly (in the pic), and a JCrew blazer for $6–never been worn, just had a spot on it!
Oh, if only you lived in Ohio…. and if only I had the money to fly you in for that consult!
I think I’m going to repaint said “shrieking green” in something calm, warm, and light as the walls are vaulted and the windows are plenty and west-facing. Although, I love your gray walls, too, but then I’d have to buy a black leather couch instead of the brown one I was hoping for. I’m going to bring a punch of color (red? purple? blue? not sure yet) with accessories. arrrrgghhhh. But, this is fun! Too bad all my friends live far away…
Good tips, even though I know we have different styles.
I used to shop regularly, not because I like it (I don’t), but because it’s so hard for me to find clothes that fit. After what felt like an exhaustive store survey, I’ve found that Old Navy is the ONLY place I can find jeans that fit… Seeing as I don’t work in a lab any more, it’s probably time for me to update my lab wardrobe (jeans and t-shirts), but I’m not looking forward to it. 
And the best advice I got from my mom–you never know till you try it on. She’ll have me try on clothes that seem kind of questionable on the hanger, but sure enough, they look awesome on me!
Best thrift store find–Jones New York classic black skirt for $4.
That’s great advice, Brittany!
Jen, I have some suggestions for my fave Gap jeans if you are interested
. I’ve tried them ALL on.
Abby: You are one cute mama, so…I’m not sure if I had anything to do with it!
THanks again Ruth! You are stylin’!!! Love it!
On a recent trip to Chicago, I resisted
impulse purchases and instead “hunted” for a great staple belt (per your advice). Ended up with a great one from a vintage shop that I love! I’ll have to post a pic for you:)
And, I have a 40% off coupon for the GAP, so new jeans are on my list next!
Hugs from INdy
Jen
I think the majority of what I know (or think I know) about affordable style I learned from you!
Ruth-
Fantastic list. I too love the solid colors paired with a great pair of skinnies. It’s fast mama-chic.
I’ve also found that fewer but nicer is the phase I’m in. I’d rather have better quality and few items.
BTW–love the thrifted denim jacket. I’ve been on the hunt, myself!
Great tips!
I agree with yours – I do buy solid colors and I usually buy my basics from Lands’ End (I get Visa rewards for LE and their quality is amazing). I think fit is really important – even expensive clothes can look bad if they don’t fit well. I use my newbie-sewing skills to make things fit. I have a very sharp black skirt that my mother in law gave me, but it is 2 inches below my knee – a terrible length. I’m going to shorten it and blog about (one of these days!).
thanks for posting these tips!!! I’d heard some of them before, but others were definitely new. I love to shop, even when I don’t buy things. And I find style and design fascinating. Looking forward to applying some of these!
p.s. your dress looks really cute! i love plaids
I just ran across your blog via ModObject @ Home, and I L-O-V-E this post!! I’m not a wife or a mother, but I can definitely use these tips on my budget. Good stuff
J