Whether it’s lack of funds, space, or time… us college girls know what a struggle our closet upkeep can be. In lieu of this very unfortunate and very real tragedy, I’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to help ease the pain of your college-closet woes.
1. Dare to Face the Fearsome Discount Store
TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Ross, Burlington Coat Factory… It’s time to buckle down and shop like you mean it, ladies. Believe it or not, some of my favorite finds have come from discount stores (I’m talkin’ Free People, a little Betsey Johnson, even Calvin Klein!). I will warn you, though; make sure you get a good night’s sleep before you face these magnificent meccas of markdown because odds are it will take some tedious digging to find something you love.
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2. Take Advantage of Any and All Online Sale Sites
A lot of people neglect to take advantage of these gems… think of them as the online version of discount stores. That’s right: all the steals, none of the walking. My favorite at the moment is HauteCouture.com. And if you thought the designer names in TJ Maxx were impressive, just wait until you see the designers on these sites. However, there is a catch: the sales only last for a limited time and items sell out quickly. Trust me, though, when I say that they are well worth the hassle!
3. Coupon, Coupon, Coupon
Did you know you can google just about any store name and tack the word “coupon” on your search, and you will probably stumble upon a deal you would’ve missed otherwise? So if you want the perfect dress to wear to a formal or the hottest military boots for a night on the town, you’d be well-advised to do some homework first. Oftentimes, you’ll get what you’re looking for without paying full price! Oh! And one more thing: most stores give discounts to college students. So always, and I mean ALWAYS, bring your I.D. with you to ask the cashier if they offer a discount!
4. Practice Moderation
This can be a tough one, especially if you’re one of those people who walks into their favorite store and suddenly wants to take everything on a hanger home. I don’t need to tell you that this probably isn’t the best idea. Not just because it’ll put a decent-sized dent in your bank account, but because oftentimes when we buy too many things on one trip, we regret most of the purchases once we get them home with us. Personally, if I buy more than four things, there’s bound to be more than a few garments that I’ll wear once and then never again. Everyone’s different; some people’s maximum purchase cut-offs may be three, five, or seven. Think about this the next time you shop and keep yourself from buying that soon-to-be one-hit-wonder.
5. Play Dress-Up
Most of us have looked at our closet and thought that there was absolutely nothing to wear, am I right? Whenever I face this dilemma, I find it helps to try on clothes that I wouldn’t necessarily think to put together right offthe bat. The trick is to start with one key item that you want to build upon and go from there. You are literally playing dress up… but with your own clothing. This little exercise can actually be a lot of fun! And you’d be surprised by some of the outfits you can come up with when you keep an open mind.
6. Organize As if Your Life Depended On It
A clean closet makes coming up with new outfits that much easier. For me, this is because when my stuff is neat and tidy, I can actually see all of my clothes. You’d be surprised how simple it is to forget which clothes are clean and which ones are in the hamper. If you are in need of some inspiration, Pinterest is a must. Some of the organizational tips people come up with on that site are incredible!
Well, there you have it! Try some of these tips and pretty soon your closet will be the envy of all of your floor mates! I should warn you though, this can be dangerous if any of them wear the same size as you…