As you’re getting into the groove of homemaking, eventually you will stumble across the issue of buying clothes. I don’t mean that homemaking requires a particular kind of clothing; it doesn’t. (That’s a huge benefit, in my opinion!)
I just mean that at some point, you will need to buy more clothing — and you may need to make some adjustments to your previous methods!
If you’ve been working and living on your own, you might be used to spending as much as you like on clothes, and buying garments that suit your job, social life, and hobbies.
Then when you become a homemaker, you might find yourself with a closet full of clothes that no longer seem to fit your lifestyle. Add to that the fact that you’re probably on a budget now. (And even if budgets aren’t new to you, becoming a homemaker changes them!)
Suddenly, you find yourself looking for ways to spend less on clothing, while still dressing well.
Buying cheaply made clothing might seem like the simple answer, but it’s not the best one. Cheap clothing wears out quickly, and needs to be replaced much sooner than quality garments.
But those high quality pieces can cost a pretty penny, can’t they? Is there a way to find durable, well-made clothing without spending $$$ on your wardrobe?
There is, my friend! But the shopping method is different, so listen carefully.
Used vs. New
When you’re shopping for clothing that will last, it might seem like new clothing is much better to buy than used. After all, clothing does wear out, and laundering takes a toll on all clothing even if it’s not heavily worn.
Sometimes you find brand name clothing at secondhand stores, but it’s just plain worn out. Don’t buy those! Use your judgment, and follow these tips whether you’re buying new or used.
How to spot quality clothing
All garments are not created equal. Cheap materials or construction make an item much more likely to wear out faster. Learn how to notice these signs of quality, whether you’re shopping at thrift stores or a brand new boutique.
It’s in the seams
Examine the stitching on an item before you buy it. Are there loose threads hanging out? Hems coming loose (or not fully finished)? If you tug gently along the seam, does the fabric around it stretch much more than the stitching? This could cause it to rip out easily.
Know your material
If you’re shopping used, what is the condition of the fabric? Is it pilled, stained, or scuffed? Is the garment stretched out of shape? Does it appear shrunken?
The type of material matters, too. Natural fibers like cotton, linen, and wool tend to wear better and hold up to washing better than synthetic materials. Elastic fibers can break down over time, making garments lose their shape after repeated washings.
A good rule of thumb if you’re looking for garments that will keep their shape for a long time is to opt for woven fabrics over stretchy ones. Of course, a well-crafted knitted wool sweater may hold up for years. But a clingy top made of fine-gauge polyester is much more likely to snag or get stretched out.
Do your homework on brands
I don’t shop based on brand names, but I do take them into consideration. If you know that a particular brand makes poor quality garments, stay away from them! Well known, trusted brands have a reputation to keep up, so they are usually a better bet for quality.
However, many companies are outsourcing their manufacturing, and the quality of their products may not be what it once was. I have chiefly noticed this in footwear. Sometimes companies will keep one line of products USA-made, and the rest will be outsourced for cheaper labor.
It is worthwhile to do your research on this, particularly if you are considering investing in quality wardrobe staples that you want to wear for years.
A word on clothing styles
When you’re shopping for clothes on a budget, quality isn’t the only consideration. Trends are fun, but how long do they last? Sometimes only for a season; sometimes a few years. If you find a quality garment in a trendy style, the garment is likely to last longer than the trend.
Now, I’m not saying you can’t have your own particular style, or follow fashion trends at all! But we homemakers do need to be practical, and consider the overall composition of our closets.
Before you take home that cold-shoulder sweater, think about how likely you are to wear it three or four years from now. Do you really want to fill your closet with clothing that will look dated in a few years?
Alternatively, consider buying classic styles and silhouettes — at least for wardrobe basics. If you can find high-quality basics in timeless styles that will last for years, you’re golden. Then you can always fill in the gaps with a trendy top or accessories that suit your style.
For more tips on buying used clothes, read Samantha’s article on thrifting quality pieces. I found it very helpful.
Finding a great price
Now that you know how to pick out quality garments, it’s time to talk about price. Remember how I said that used isn’t always better than new? Here’s why.
Secondhand stores vary widely in price and selection. Some thrift stores are part of national chains, while others are local shops. Consignment shops usually sell higher quality garments than other thrift stores, but their prices will also be higher. Shops advertising vintage or antique clothing will likely have even higher prices.
Thrift Stores
The area where the store is located plays a big role in selection, and sometimes prices. Thrift shops in more expensive locales tend to carry higher-quality (and less worn) garments than their counterparts in poorer sections of town.
In places where the demand for used clothing is higher, the prices will be higher; and vice versa. Where I live, there are no large-scale clothing manufacturers, so all new clothing comes with an added shipping expense.
This drives up the value of used clothing in our local thrift store — so much that I rarely shop there! When used clothing prices run 60-80% of retail prices, that’s a good indication that you should look elsewhere. You would be better off shopping department store sales, at that rate.
If your thrift store prices are high, or the selection is mostly poor quality and well-worn items, where else can you find clothes?
Consignment Stores
Consignment stores can be a good option, if there are any near you. Their prices are usually higher than thrift store prices — to begin with. Consignment stores often mark down items that aren’t moving, especially towards the end of a season. I have scored great deals on high quality garments by browsing consignment stores.
They are particularly good sources for shoes, unless you wear larger sizes. Consignment store shoes tend to be in much better condition than the ones you find at thrift stores.
Online Consignment Stores
Another option to try is thredUP, an online consignment store. They have a HUGE selection, from department store brands to designer labels. Their prices vary widely by brand: the more popular brands command higher prices.
I have purchased from them several times, and am very satisfied with their service. It is a good way to find higher quality, gently worn items at much lower prices than the new stores.
There are shipping and return costs to consider, so I am very careful about which items I purchase from them. I stick with brands that I already have in my closet, so I know the quality of their garments and how their sizes fit.
The downside of online retailers like thredUP is that you can’t feel the garment and examine its craftsmanship before buying. That’s one reason why it’s good to stick with brands you trust.
thredUP does have an option to order a box of ten garments, with free shipping and free returns — minus a $10 deposit that goes toward the price of any garments you decide to keep. This option sounds like a pretty good deal to me, and the only reason I haven’t done it is that it’s not available for Alaska!
Click here for $10 off your first thredUP order!
Etsy
To round out my list of used clothing sources, we can’t forget Etsy. Since Etsy is a platform for handmade and vintage merchandise, you will see some high prices.
But if you’re looking for a specific item and are having trouble finding it in thrift stores, Etsy is where I look next. Again, there are shipping costs to consider, and not all sellers accept returns.
Shop the sales on new clothing
I’ve talked mostly about used clothing, since that is mostly what I buy. However, shopping for quality clothes on a budget doesn’t automatically exclude purchasing new.
You can find great prices on new goods that are on sale, if you look hard enough. This takes dedication, patience, and focus (no getting sidetracked by the full-price styles!), but it can pay off big time and land you some great new pieces.
You can track the sales at department stores, online retailers, or your favorite boutique. The best sales tend to be after the midpoint of the season, but many stores also run holiday sales.
Always check to see if you can stack coupons on top of sale-priced or clearance items for extra savings. Some stores have loyalty programs which include exclusive coupons or rewards for members.
Classy Loft
I want to just mention Classy Loft as a source for new clothes that are pretty, classy, and modest. I have been satisfied with the quality of their garments, and I like to support businesses which celebrate modesty and true femininity.
While their prices are higher than I like to spend most of the time, they do run good sales!
Shabby Apple
If you’re willing to spend a little more for quality modest garments, I recommend Shabby Apple. I have not purchased from them yet, but I’ve been swooning over their dresses and skirts for years!
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That’s it! For more about dressing like a homemaker, make sure to read my homemaker dress code. Don’t forget your apron!
Happy homemaking!
~Kimberly
Elsie 🌸 says
I just found your site and I am loving the simplicity of it. Although I have a 1600 sq foot home with 2 bedrooms and a little den I’m still pretty simple and cherish my grandmother’s and mom’s things I have.
I just had to comment on used clothes particularly from ThredUP. Here’s one thing I’ve learned to my dismay. I’m pickier than their evaluators. I’ve had to fix a couple items I bought, namely those itty bitty crochet chain half of a hook and eye at the top of a blouse. I won’t do back zippers so I like a popover type with a simple closure. I also have found gently used items to be gently shrunk! So for jeans I look for new ones with tags still on. I’m not crazy about used shoes – as an RN I saw way too many yucky looking toenails and scabby feet. So nix on the shoes. Probably my best advice to pass on to your readers is to keep two things in mind. Sellers who are individuals often sell their stuff because it no longer fits. Gained weight, had baby, got stuck in sweats from a lockdown (That is not me. Sweats or anything with a stretchy waistband is somehow able to attract any extra calories to my middle!) anway, these gals are cleaning out stuff that they can’t squeeze into. The other category is stuff impulsively bought at a discount chain like Ross or TJMaxx because it started out as something too good to pass by and morphed into ‘what was I thinking’ once in the closet. Those stores are very dangerous for two reasons. First, you do enter them planning to browse but end up buying somehow anyway, and second if you need a particular item they won’t have it and you’ll buy something as an alternative and then go to a retail store anyway!
As an RN I lived 5 days a week in scrubs. So my not-at-work clothes tended to be very casual or post-professional- suitable for church, meetings with attorneys etc. (working on will and trust docs, not suing people!)
When I retired I really had no everyday nice running errands or casual eating out clothes. ThredUP was amazing for that. Then, pandemic shutdown my county. We still cannot go about maskless or eat out without a hassle. So I’m cooking more, reading more, buying less and enjoying simple living.
kimberly says
Thanks so much for your secondhand tips, Elsie! I try to stick with brands I know on thredUP to ensure quality and fit, but even so, the “excellent quality” ratings from their evaluators can be misleading.