Getting the look for less

Hey everyone! I asked you guys last week how you would feel about a "getting the look for less" post and I got an overwhelming response to do so! I almost never buy anything full price simply because I know I don't have to. When I started buying higher end clothing, I realized how much money I was spending and so I decided to seek out ways to get the best deal I could. I am so excited to share these tips with you because they have helped me save A LOT of money on clothes and I know they will benefit you also! Enjoy!

1. Online Marketplace Apps

There are so many apps now that allow you to shop someone else's closet with the click of a button. I love shopping through different apps and websites because you can always find the best deal. Sometimes it can be time consuming to search for the best deal, but it definitely pays off (literally!) in the end when you see how much money you saved vs paying full price. Some of my favorite apps that I use are Poshmark, Mercari, and Tradesy. Not only can you buy clothes, but if you have clothes you were planning on getting rid, you can quickly list them and make some extra cash! At the end of the post I'll attach some referral links to get coupons/money off your first purchase when you join and some different coupon codes!

2. Thrift, thrift, thrift

A lot of people don't like thrifting because it takes time and energy or they just feel weirded out by the idea of used clothes but you would be surprised by what you can find by going to different thrift stores. I have found some of the greatest pieces at thrift stores for only a couple dollars. My cousin even found a pair of Hunter Boots at a Goodwill once for $5! (Fun tip! You can buy good deals that aren't your style and resell them to buy something you like! Exp. I found a pair of Birkenstocks for $5 and resold them for $50, a huge profit margin) One of my favorite things to do is check out the thrift stores when I'm in a big city because there's a better chance you'll find more higher end stuff. Some of my favorite clothing pieces have been found at thrift stores!

3. Shop Smart

One of my biggest pieces of advice that I could offer to someone who is trying to save some money when buying clothes is to shop smart. Here's a few of my tips when it comes to shopping smarter:

• Never Impulse Buy: You will almost always regret buying the clothing or how much you spent on it. Instead, wait on it (if it's popular, keep a close eye on it so your size doesn't sell out) and when it goes on sale or there's a coupon you can use, buy it! There's a better chance you'll regret buying something in the heat of the moment than not buying it at all. 

• Shop outlet stores: I love shopping at different outlet stores by my favorite brands because I can get the clothing I love at an affordable price. One of my favorites is J. Crew factory but if there's something you like, watch it because the price changes on items a lot! Wait till it's at it's cheapest to buy it. If there's a brand you like (exp. vineyard vines, kate spade) and there isn't an outlet near you to purchase their stuff, no worries! You can call them and they'll email you pictures of anything you're interested in and you can order over the phone! How awesome is that!?

• Use Coupons: I can't stress this enough. Unless you're shopping somewhere like Lilly Pulitzer, there is almost always a coupon out there that you can use. Even if it is just 10%, you're still saving a few dollars and over time that adds up. It's important to save money where you can and coupons are a great way to do that. If you're a student, don't be afraid to ask if there's a student discount at checkout since a lot of stores offer it. 

• Keep your eyes open: Just because one store sells something you want doesn't mean others don't. Before buying something you see at one store, do a search on the web to make sure you don't find it cheaper anywhere else. A lot of sites like 6PM and Zulily will sell brand name items at a cheaper price. I prefer 6PM because they have a lot of the brands I prefer, like Kate Spade and the Hunter Boot brand. I always do a quick look on there every now and then because they have some really great deals.

I hope that all of these tips for getting the look for less were helpful! I have gotten some of the best deals over the past few years using these methods. The only time I recommend paying full price for something is if it's really popular and will sell out quick or you need it immediately. If you use any of these methods, let me know how they worked for you by shooting me an email or leaving a comment! Also, below are the links I mentioned earlier to get discounts!

Links:

Poshmark: Download the app and when signing up, use code prettyinpearls4 and you'll get $5 off your first purchase!

Thred Up: Sign up with this link and you'll get $10 off your first purchase! You can also use code Thrifty40!

http://www.thredup.com/r/VIBIEE

Tradesy: Use this link to get $20 off of $50 on your first purchase!

https://www.tradesy.com/invite/rachel-8052587?utm_source=RFL&utm_content=RFL0001_8052587&utm_medium=link

TheRealReal: Get $25 off your first purchase when you use this link! 

http://fbuy.me/gWAlC

Mercari: Sign up and get $5 off your purchase of $25! 

https://www.mercari.com