Newswise — The best part of back to school is shopping for your back-to-school wardrobe! However, it can be a pricey undertaking and with so many financial obligations, students really need to stretch their shopping dollar further.
Here are a few smart shopping tips from veteran Ryerson University student shoppers and frugalistas Tara Prentice (Ted Rogers School of Retail Management) and Nadine Nevitt (School of Fashion) of Ryerson PopUp, a student-led, fashion-forward retail venture:
1. Shop at Value Village on 50% off days. It’s not just for Halloween costumes and ugly Christmas sweater parties; you can find some great vintage pieces for a pretty penny. The store often holds a 50% off day in the month before a big holiday but you can also check out their website and sign up for emails telling you when promotions come up.
2. Take a sewing class or two. Learn the basics so you can repair holes, missing buttons and take a hem up an inch or two. If you find something that’s on sale but a size too big, you can still buy it and take it in at the side seams. You can also buy something and turn it into something else, for example a men’s dress shirt could become a long sleeve collared dress.
3. Spruce up your wardrobe for FREE: hold a clothes swap party with your best girl friends. Whether the swap is temporary or permanent, the party doubles as free entertainment, so it’s win-win.
4. When shopping, buy Fashion, not Fads. Stick to classic colours (white, black, grey and navy) for staple pieces such as jackets and blazers, dress pants and skirts and blouses. You can round out your wardrobe each season by buying a few bright colours such as a top and a bag to stay trendy.
5. Spend the real money on investment pieces such as a classic skirt, a well fitted blazer and a great pair of jeans or dress pants which carry through all seasons and are items that can be worn at work and at play. A great fit and quality that will last is worth the money, especially if you will end up wearing them often.
6. Buy accessories. Any old t-shirt can be spiced up to create a variety of different looks. Belts, bangles, necklaces, earrings etc. all help to make an outfit unique and stylish. Several fast-fashion retailers have fashion forward pieces at affordable prices, but don’t forget about thrift stores because styles repeat and older jewelry is often better quality.
7. Take a walk through your local mall frequently just to see what the window displays are featuring. Often time it’s easy to pick up on those trends with what you already own. For example, fake a pair of shoulder pads in a blazer by adding your own from an ‘80s jacket or buying a cheap pair from a fabric store and stitching them in yourself.
8. Shop with cash only. This often limits you from buying large purchases without consideration. You will stop before you drop $500 on a new purse or another pair of shoes.
9. Shop out of season. Want a new winter jacket but couldn’t afford it this year? As soon as the spring collections enter the store the winter collection will be up for grabs at a reasonable price. Some of the coats or items may be dated for next winter but maybe there is a classic pea-coat that will be timeless.
10. Things that are in this fall/winter:
Colours
• Ink tones dark and shady • Bright pops of colour to electrify the palette (neon and strong gem stone hues)• Brilliant white with warm taupe• Gemstones, desserts and dusty landscapes are the main themes. Fashion colours will be amethyst, tinted quartz and mocha with metallic embellishment
Shape
• Tailored collars• Tight mini skirts• Carpenter crop pants with over-sized pockets • Cigarette-legged pants• Loose and flowing tops with peasant dresses, multi-layered comfort• Cut out toe and ankle boots, platform height
Texture
• Lace in small and over-sized print• Satin and silk loosely draped under knit/tweed jackets• Rock details along necklines and cuffs• Sideways zippers on ankles and hips• Faux fur, stretch leather and lambskin
Line
• Insect graphics, nature prints and animal skin• Decorated pumps, wedges • Pleats on gloves and high-waisted slacks• Straight drawstring boots
Conceived and executed by students, Ryerson PopUp is a retail concept featuring Ryerson student-designed, limited edition merchandise available for sale around campus from its mobile distribution centre: a Nissan Cube.
Experts available for interviews:Tara PrenticeCo-President, Ryerson PopUpVice President Internal Relations | Ryerson Commerce Society 2010-2011Contact Suelan Toye (details below) to speak with Tara
Nadine NevittCo-President, Ryerson PopUpContact Suelan Toye (details below) to speak with Nadine
For more expert advice on back to school, visit http://www.ryerson.ca/news/media/spotlight/bts2010/
If you require this in another format, please contact Ryerson University Public Affairs at 416-979-5000 ext. 7134.
RSS