MissusSmartyPants Personal Profile Style ArticleVolume 10 Week 25 June 18, 2015

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Remember: only the last 4 weeks remain posted!

Save at the Sizzling Summer Sales

Get ready! Sizzling summer sales are just beginning. These tips below will help you score huge savings because you’ll have a plan

and buy only what you really need!

If you shop wisely now; you’ll make out with big savings, have lots of cool stuff to wear all summer long...and score items you can wear into the fall!

In June and July, the stores clear out all things summer related to make room for the bulkier fall lines. Stores prepare early because typically the fall season is their best retail selling season—and that means summer stuff has got to go! Mid-August fall merchandise will begin showing up in the stores, can you believe it?

Stock up on basics for the whole family! Use these sales strategies for shopping for your whole family. Know what each person needs and replenish these basics (for year round use) now while the sales are at their best. Stock up on summer basics because most kids will want to wear new shorts for back-to-school—not hot wool pants and sweaters!

Start with a basic wardrobe plan. If you don’t have a basic wardrobe plan-get one! Read MSP’s “Must-have Wardrobe Basics” posted in your Personal Profile to get the bare-bones list.

Make a list and take it with you. Knowing what you need ahead of time helps you avoid buying something impulsively because you don’t want to

miss out on a “bargain”. Know what you need before you go by tucking this list into your handbag.

Keep these savvy strategies in mind before you shop the sales:

__Shop with a plan. Make a list of what you need and stick to it! What basic pieces is your wardrobe still lacking? Are these items ones that will help you make more practical outfits…not another loud printed blouse?

__Limit your color palette. Part of shopping with a plan is to keep within your Seasonal Colors palette. Build your wardrobe around one or two main colors (like gray and navy, black and brown, khaki and brown). This helps you make more outfits because everything is in the SAME color palette.

__When a bargain really is a bargain. A bargain is only a real bargain if it has value to you. A bargain must equal value (not necessarily the price paid). So, if it is something you would buy at full price, if it is something you need; then it is a bargain at a discounted price because it holds VALUE to you.

__Take a deep breath. Just like putting down your fork when you are getting full, take a moment and pause, you might make the decision not to purchase something because you don’t really need it.

Pause when you find yourself getting caught up in “saving money” by spending money.

Before paying at check-out, ask yourself these three questions:

Do I love it? Am I really going to have it altered (dry cleaned, etc. as needed)?Do I have at least three (3) things I can wear with it?

__Read the fine print. Sometimes you need to try it on at home to decide if it’s really a good bargain for you, or not. Be aware of the store’s sale policy before you buy. At some stores, ALL SALES ARE FINAL!

__Time it right. The best time to shop is Wednesday mornings. There are more parking spaces, organized sale racks, fewer shoppers and more sales help available.

__Fill up your tank. Eat and drink before heading out the door so you won’t get hungry or thirsty while shopping. Wear comfortable, easy clothing and shoes, and allow yourself at least several hours of uninterrupted time.

__Shop often. Browse around your favorite stores and become familiar with how they sell their merchandise--don’t buy anything. By getting acquainted with their sales strategies, you’ll soon know when they are offering a true bargain-and when it is something regularly marked off the “suggested retail price” and no true bargain.

In my former retailer days I was at the mall daily. This meant I saw a variety of sale strategies at play. Some stores always offered 25% off (no real sale, this was their regular way of selling).

Be green, join the list. Get on the email list of your favorite stores so you will be in-the-know of all their specials online and at their stores.

$ Saving TIP: Discounts are often emailed to you shortly after you join their list-so wait a few days before you make your first purchase online.

__Spend on quality shoes and handbags. These main accessories can really make any inexpensive outfit look designer. Don’t be afraid to invest in quality, well made classics because you’ll use for years to come.

__Avoid expensive trendy stuff. Trendy items tend to become dated very quickly, so they aren’t worth a heavy cash out lay.

__Outlets aren’t always smart. Not only are outlet centers not necessarily cheaper—they are often full of last season’s merchandise or cheaper clothing made just for selling at their outlets stores! There are some exceptions to this rule like Nordstrom’s Rack…they carry current quality merchandise at discounted prices!

__Go thrifting. This is one of my favorite ways to shop! Consignment stores, thrift stores can be real treasure hunts. Which means you might not always find a treasure when you go. To save big bucks go thrifting often, but realize it takes time to reap the rewards because you don’t always find anything worthy of buying.

__Don’t be cheap. Everyone loves a good bargain (myself included). Don’t buy something just because it’s cheap…it will end up as clutter in your home or someone else’s (like your daughter whom you give it to).

__Read labels. Read the fine print of how to care for the fabric. This helps you decide if you are really willing to “save” on this bargain item because it means you will have to invest in frequent dry cleaning or hand washing. You might just put back that item—I know I have!

Reading labels also helps you properly care for and prolong the life of your clothing. Clothing that last longer gives you better CPW (cost per wear) over

time. Save money and time by not repurchasing the same item year after year.

__DIY sewing. Knowing the basics of sewing has been one of my best budget saving tricks for years. I can alter something to fit me or simply hem the item up (usually down because I need it longer, since I’m tall)—this saves me money. Just being able to do simple alterations will save you lots of money.

Attention Savvy Saving SYStersShop out of season! The biggest savings can be yours if you shop out of season. If you follow fashion week (12-6 months ahead of the style reports of the runway shows) you will always have an eye for the latest upcoming trends way ahead of schedule. You can also shop out of season and save by simply sticking to buying only out-of-season basics.

WHEN TO BUY FOR THE BEST DEALS???

__Shop for spring/summer clothes in the fall.__Buy fall/winter clothes when spring begins.

For example: Buy winter coats on sale in spring for the next year’s fall.

(This means “guesstimating” for kids on sizes-even though they are still growing)

Here are the best items to buy at the summer sales:

A dressy dress you could wear on New Year’s Eve! Yes that’s right, buy it now!

Lots of pretty wedding, prom and graduation dresses are on sale NOW and they’ll be perfect to wear for New Year’s Eve too.

(Of course you can wear them to a summer evening dinner and play!)

Dillards Adrianna Papell Dress 3/4 Sleeve Lace Dress-on sale!

BB Dakota Plus Leland Lace Dress (sizes 14-24)

Casual summer dresses. Wear them now as is.

Then, easily extend “summery” dresses into fall by simply adding a denim jacket (or button-up shirt or knit top underneath) add tights & boots and you’re all set when the weather gets COLD!

Ralph Lauren Striped Cotton Dress

Three Dots Plus Tie Dye Print Dress (2x, 3x)

Add a classic denim jacket come fall...

Ralph Lauren Sailor Denim Jacket

A swimsuit. Yes, purchase another swimsuit (this one at a deep discount). This means you’ll have a NEW swimsuit to wear on a winter cruise (or your water aerobics class). Having a second swimsuit allows you to rotate them--making them last longer.

DKNY Zipper High Neck Maillot One Piece (deeply discounted!)

Strappy heeled sandals. They will work well with any sassy dress right now (or with a holiday dress, as recommended above).

Caparros Open Toe Evening Sandals

Tees! Stock up on tees you can dress up or down. This slouchy front tank can be worn loose or tucked in as shown below...

The Limited Slouchy Front Top ( 5 colors, xs-xxl)

Ralph Lauren Flattering Sleeve Length Cotton Tee

Ralph Lauren Plus Ribbed Neck Tee (1x-3x)

Lace camisoles and basics tanks. You’ll wear these under your light summer cardis and thicker winter sweaters and blazers. Of course, you’ll may just want to wear these right now in the blazing heat--NO jacket required!

This Caslon tank won’t expose your bra straps! Available in so many colors and stripes!

Nordstrom Caslon Rib Knit Tank (Petite, Misses)

Caslon Shirred Side Tank (Plus sizes-12 colors/stripes)

Cropped pants, capris and city shorts. Dark fabrics are usually better because they will work when you travel and when the slightly cooler weather arrives.

Of course you’ll want to wear sassy shorts like these on a hot summer’s day...

Jag Jeans "Ainsley" Slim Bermuda Shorts (petites, misses)

NYDJ Stretch Denim Shorts (right side, plus size)

Completer pieces. As you know, a top and a bottom is NOT an “outfit”. You need to add a completer piece to call it an “outfit”. Completer pieces include: versatile vests, lightweight jackets, thin cardigans, scarves and accessories that are in your color palette. Always add one.

The Limited Linen Vest, Easy Shorts, Tee

Bronze, muted metallic accessories. You can wear now and all the way into the fall season. Comfortable and versatile!

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Dillards Sofft Pippa Wedge 2.5" heel-ext. sizes

Dillards Softspots Carolena Peep Toe Pumps

¾ sleeved jackets and casual lightweight jackets. They give you more of a polished look at the office, plus you can wear them with longer sleeves peeking out in the fall for a cool vibe!

The Limited Lightweight Drawstring Jacket (misses)

Catherines Lace Up Sateen Jacket (Plus size)

Of course you are worth full price—but snagging summer bargains that you will wear now and into fall is just a smarter way to shop!

Love, Leslie MSP

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