Save Yourself!

Why is it that so many people are attracted to sales, red dots and clearance racks?

After all, isn't the point of those things for the store to get rid of the crap people won't buy at full price?

And hasn't there got to be some reason people aren't buying it?

Sure, a good deal can be found on the clearance rack occasionally, but we shouldn't stick to clothing ourselves with mark-downs. The focus should instead be on finding quality pieces of clothing in classic styles, that will last a long time and can be paired with a variety of other items.

Take a black tank top, for instance. If the tank top is good quality (fabric and make) and well-taken care of (washed according to tag directions, inside out), it will last a long time without fading. That little black tank can be paired with a skirt and matching jacket for work--in any color, really, because black is the king of neutrals. It can be paired with jeans, heels and a sparkly shrug or cardigan for an evening outing. It will go with khaki or jean shorts and sandals on a hot day. Other shirts can be layered over it, with jeans or a skirt. And once it starts to get old (finally), it will make a great pyjama top. Just think of the possibilities!

The same goes for men: a nice, dark-solid tee can go with jeans and a button-up top, under a polo shirt and with jeans or slacks, alone with jeans or slacks, with shorts (alone or under a button-up), and so forth.

People today focus on quantity more than quality. We want lots of things in our closets so we feel like we have accomplished a lot. Too often people don't think about how poorly made some of those things are, whether or not they've just gone out of style with the season, whether they are flattering, or if the color is wrong. Some people even buy pieces (horror of horrors!) that don't fit them, just because they're on clearance. Others buy pieces that will never go with anything else, just because of a sale.

The moral of the story? Don't look at the pricetag. Look at the fit of the item. Think of the possibilities it has with other members of your wardrobe. Consider the materials that created it and how well the item was made. Will you actually wear that shirt, or are you just telling yourself because it's on sale for fifteen dollars?

Shop smart. Spend a little more to get better quality. Stay away from those red dots.