What is Value-For-Money in Clothing?

What is a wise purchase these days when we’re considering our budgets? Often our fashion choices are a multitude of trade offs and ‘that’ll do’. This path can lead us to a wardrobe which doesn’t get worn and is therefore really no value to us. The adage that we wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time highlights the issue. Buying cheaply is no guarantee of better value when we consider the number of wears we can get out of items, nor is necessarily buying more expensively but there are some tenets to consider which improves the value from our wardrobe: • Only buy an item on sale if you would have bought it at full price. It’s so easy to get swept away by the discount but once that thrill is over, are you actually going to wear it? It’s not a bargain if it sits unworn in your wardrobe. • Consider when, with your current lifestyle, are you going to wear that item. It sounds like a really simple piece of advice but again it’s easy to get side-tracked and interested in wonderful sparkly number but how often are you going to wear it?

You might already have enough in that part of our wardrobe to cover those occasions. Often a new accessory can actually make older items in our wardrobe look instantly updated, so they can be a better choice. • You might consider renting items for occasion wear dressing. This is often an area which requires more budget but gets the least wear. With the growing rental options available this could be a better choice. • Are you buying quality or are you buying branding?

Quality can be found in your local charity shop or boutique but the brand name isn’t always a great guide to quality. Check the seams and how well finished they are. Look at zips and fastenings to make sure they work and are secure. • Natural fibres – they last better and feel better.

When you consider how most of our synthetic fibres are versions of plastic and contribute to the microplastics in our oceans and food chain it makes sense to consider whether they’re our best choice. • Comfort – as I mentioned natural fibres often feel better, keep us cooler in summer, and warmer in winter. Beyond the material mix do ensure that whatever you’re buying is comfortable when you first try it on. There is no substitute for trying an item on and I would never recommend anyone to buy without trying on. Move around in it and make sure it’s not pulling, and that it sits well.

Apparently, we wear an uncomfortable item three times at most before that’s the end of it. Can we afford to be that wasteful? • Make six outfits with any new item you buy. We need our clothing to work hard for us so put it together with other clothes as soon as you can.

If it doesn’t work consider whether the colour or style is right for you and whether it should stay in your wardrobe. The best way to avoid a wardrobe you don’t wear? Understand from a professional what suits you. Know what colours and styles suit you so you’re not wasting money on clothes that you don’t end up wearing. That’s the best investment.

Article by Jennie Billings – House of Colour House of Colour has a network of stylists to help you update your look – find your nearest at houseofcolour.co.uk/find-a-stylist