Post - Holiday Sales -  by Steve Brinkman

January means post-holiday clothing sales, and many well-dressed men enjoy taking advantage of markdowns this time of the year.
 

Helpful hints for seasonal sale shopping:
 
1. You’ve taken a chance waiting for a sale; items on sale may not be as desirable as those available at full price. Conversely, if you’re patient, waiting for a second or third markdown, you’ll get even greater savings.
2. Take a good look around your closet before you go. You don’t want to purchase duplicates or anything too close to what you already have.
3. Set a budget and stick to it. A good rule of thumb for an annual clothing budget is 5% of your gross income, or 7-8% of your net.
4. If you choose to purchase items on credit, factor in the interest you will pay, and deduct this from the amount you’re claiming as savings from buying on sale.  
5. Alterations are usually an additional charge for sale merchandise, and will also reduce your actual savings. 
 

General Observations:
 
Consider patronizing your local specialty men’s store at sale time and for that matter all the time. If you prefer shopping online, log on to www.suityourself.com. If you’d rather shop at a local specialty store visit www.mensspecialtyretail.com to obtain a listing of fine establishments in your area. Independent stores need your business, and will show you more individual attention than a department store. You’ll have a better relationship with the sales people; turnover is lower and experience and expertise much higher. Most importantly, you’ll find more unique and tasteful items at a specialty store at the same price or lower than at a department store.
 
However, department stores do have their advantages- a more liberal return policy, and a larger selection.
 
Avoid outlet stores. Their inventory has been picked over by a multitude of other people and there’s a reason it hasn’t been bought before. It’s a funky color, cut, or style. The vendor puts a big red mark on the label or cuts it. Most importantly, many brands make inferior merchandise just for outlet stores trying to bilk people looking for a bargain by offering them inferior merchandise at a supposedly discounted price. You really have to know what you’re doing to truly find a good buy.
 
 
Common pitfalls to buying discounted merchandise:
 
1. You buy items because of price at sale time that you think will look good on you, but not items you know will look good on you.
2. You buy something that was fashionable last season, but will be outdated by this time next year.
3. You buy something in a cut or style that doesn’t fit or flatter you because it was just too good of a bargain to pass up.
 
In short, your wardrobe chooses you, rather than you choosing it. And what happens is you get these sale items home, maybe wear them a couple of times, and then they languish in the back of your closet, never to be seen again. And you’ve wasted your money and all those savings you’ve achieved have gone right out the window along with a lot of your hard-earned cash. The most expensive clothing of all is that which hangs in your closet and never gets worn.
 
To choose your wardrobe and fully optimize your clothing budget consider the following strategy instead:
 
1. With the help of a seasoned professional, develop an overall wardrobe plan that fits your taste and lifestyle
2. Develop a classic style and fashion sense, minimizing the whims of fashion and obsolescence of your clothing
3. Purchase exactly what you want, when you want, within the budget confines mentioned above.
4. You will buy less, but what you buy will be worn more, and will be worn out, rather than discarded because you don’t like it.
5. Consider custom or made-to-measure programs. They’re great for individualizing your style and the only way to get clothing that fits if you’re an odd size.
 
In conclusion, use your wardrobe as a tool to maximize your personal and professional success and keep you ahead of the game. Knowing you’re looking good and dressed appropriately increases your confidence and self-esteem. Maximize the enjoyment that comes with dressing well, and enjoy your hand-selected clothing for years to come.