My closet is becoming a mix of designer and standard retailer clothing. I am a university student with a limited clothing budget but a love for well made, unique clothing.  While I often covet designer or even high-end chain retailer clothing, they often do not fit into my limited budget, as a result,  I have developed a method for shopping:

1. Always be on the lookout – I tend to find my favourite pieces when I’m not even looking for them. When I’m shopping I’m always on the lookout for good deals and special pieces that are unlike other things in my closet.

2. a) Shop sales – I shop high end sales, and keep my eye out for good deals. In order to avoid frivolous purchases I try and buy things that I covet at full price. It’s not a good deal regardless of price if it’s not something you really need.  One of my signature pieces, the Club Monaco zebra dress, was found for only $69 – it hit the racks at $189 but I watched until it went to a price I couldn’t say no.

B) Know seasonal sales – my favourite boutique in Calgary has amazing boxing week sales. I’ve made it a rule to only buy jeans during this sale so I can afford my Fidelity jeans, the only brand I really like.

Nanette Lepore Dress (Danielle's Consignment Boutique)

3. Shop consignment – I haven’t had much luck in this sense in Toronto, but while home in Calgary I have a circuit of consignment stores I frequent. At one, shopgirls from Holt Renfrew regularly consign their only once worn dresses that I can snap up for a fraction of the cost.
B) Watch sales – Danielle’s Consignment Boutique in Calgary has sales regularly, meaning you can often get at least an additional 20 per cent off items.  This Nanette Lepore dress started at $189, but when reduced in price I managed to snag it at a discount.
C) Shopping online consignment – if you know how certain brands or labels fit, it’s safer to buy from online consignment boutiques. However since you can’t try them on, there is still a risk it won’t fit and will be a waste of money.  If you live in Canada, check out My Ex-Closet; depending what city you live in, you can even arrange to consign your own pieces through this site.

D) Vintage & Thrift Store – I have friends that find a lot of pieces from either vintage or thrift stores around Toronto.  While I don’t have a lot of pieces found from these types of stores, I do have a few fun pieces I have found – for example, I have this semi-ridiculous bright purple, high-waisted skirt found at Goodwill for $7.

4. Know when to spend and when to save – There are some items that are worth a splurge and others that are not. As I outline in the College Candy article, items that you wear often are worth the money, while trendy items worn for only one season are not.

5. Consider cost-per-wear – This fits into the spend and save attitude.  Items that you wear a lot and for multiple seasons will have a lower cost-per-wear than trendy items that go out of style after a season.  I usually put more money into classic items as they not only go with almost everything else in my closet, but they transition timelessly through seasons.