I recently went to Holland to speak at an AICI convention. I was fortunatel enough to stay with the lovely Karin Frenay, an expert in finding fabulous outfits for virtually no money. She has been kind enought o allow me to publish her top tips and here they are:
Do you love clothes? I do and I would like to shop every week. Unfortunately my bud
get is quite small. So I have the choice. No shopping (no fun) or be creative!
One of my favourite ways to get nice clothes for little money is by visiting second hand (charity) shops. I feel always like a hunter when I’m in a vintage shop. You don’t know what you will find so it’s really exciting, but I always hope to get that special item, a good brand for a small price. That’s my sport.
What do you have to look for?
First look for second hand shops in an upper class, wealthy area. These are your best bets to buy good quality, designer brands (often last season’s).
When you enter a second hand shop it looks often a bit messy. Don’t worry. They have a system. Usually the clothes are arranged in some order even if it’s not obvious at first glance i.e. dresses, skirts, trousers and usually by size too.
Think of what you need e.g. a dress or something in red, than screen the shop on that.
Always try on everything!
Also when you know it’s right for you and it’s good value price-wise, look too for accessories such as belts, scarf’s, hats etc that will go with it.
Check the clothes for tears, faults and stains. The shop should do that, but you never know…
Be happy when you find that fabulous ‘designer dress’ for £25 or that special skirt nobody else owns.
Another way to find clothes for little or no money is to organise a swop (swish) party. Invite women that are about the same size as you, let them bring as many clothes as they want (good opportunity to clean out the wardrobe) and ask for at least 5 items. Then swop with each other. If 2 ladies want the same item, the group chooses who looks the most pretty in it. It’s a lot of fun and you will be surprised how many people are happy with your ‘old’ stuff and the ‘gifts’ you will get. As they say ‘one person’s rubbish is another person’s treasure’.
My wardrobe is quite big and about 70 % is swapped or second-hand and its just fabulous stuff.
Kind regards from Holland!
Karin Frenay
www.colorage.nl