Bargain Shopper Blog

Written by Kristen Le

So far, we’ve covered the dress and the shoes; you’ve managed to borrow a hot little number off a friend and invested in some nude-coloured pumps – so far so good, but what about the accessories? Spring Racing Carnival just isn’t the same without some kind of headpiece and perhaps a little bling, so here are some tips on how to get this part right without blowing your budget.

THE ACCESSORIES

When it comes to the races, I would say I have a love/hate relationship with hats and fascinators – in particular with the latter. On the one hand, they can look absolutely stunning, and they’re nice to bring out for special occasions...but on the other hand, when else would you really need to wear something like a fascinator? Appropriate events are few and far between, and unless you’re a regular Autumn and Spring race-goer, it’s understandable if you’re a bit hesitant in spending a lot on something you may only ever wear once in your life, or at least once a year. Whilst the universe won’t explode if you don’t wear a hat or fascinator to a race day, you might feel very naked without one amongst the abundance of other frilled and feathered headwear around you.

Hats are a good option because they are practical; they provide shade and you’re therefore more likely to wear them to other occasions – lunches, picnics, the beach – and so on. Fascinators however, are usually more dainty, show your face more, and won’t reveal embarrassing hat-hair if they blow off into the wind. The downside is they can also be quite expensive! Try a DIY approach by buying pieces for your fascinator from a craft store like Lincraft or Spotlight and putting your customised headpiece together yourself. This way you can make sure the colour and style matches your outfit perfectly. If opting for a hat – you can add on embellishments and features in the same manner. Discount department stores like Target, Kmart and Big W also sell an abundance of hats and fascinators in basic colours for a decent price – have a look and see if you can spruce these up to match your outfit more, or for the biggest bargain visit a few op shops and see what you can find. Chain stores like Diva, Equip and Lovisa also sell headpieces suitable for the races, and if you don’t want to wear a hat or fascinator, a cute detailed headband will also do the trick, and are usually much cheaper.

As for jewellery, sometimes more items might not even be needed – a hat or fascinator often stands out enough, and you don’t want to clutter your outfit by over-accessorising. Stick to simple rather than statement pieces – smaller earrings and a simple wrist cuff can be enough. Check out the op shops for one-off pieces or borrow from a friend for a budget way to accessorise.

 

 So that brings our budget spring racing planning advice to a close. Have you got any special tips that you are planning on using in preparation for race days?

Written by Kristen Le

 

 Spring time always brings with it a real zest for life that I can’t help but love. Flowers start blooming, the sun seems to shine brighter, and what now appears to be only drab greys and blacks of my winter wardrobe start getting replaced by bright colours and adventurous fabrics. So it’s no surprise that one of the things I look forward to the most each spring is an event where all of the blossoming, sunshine and colour seem to entwine into a giant celebration of the season – the Spring Racing Carnival.

 The chance to take advantage of the beautiful weather, spend a whole day enjoying the company of good friends, and to get all dressed up and looking a little fabulous – it’s sometimes hard to resist the spontaneous acts of splurging that tend to happen in the months leading up to the races. A new dress here; some wedges there. A fascinator over there...but that one doesn’t match my dress for Oaks so I’ll probably have to buy a second one...ahhh! Before I know it, hundreds of dollars will have vanished from my wallet before I can utter “Makybe Diva”. So what’s the solution? Careful planning, a bit of foresight and as always – shopping discipline! Here are some tips on how to do the races in smashing style, without smashing your bank account.

 

THE DRESS

 I’ll admit, there have been times where I’ve gone out shopping and seen “the one”...you know, that one dress you lay eyes on and suddenly life feels meaningless without it? Turns out that I do this quite often, and looking into my wardrobe, it did make me think – was I really in love with each dress at first sight? Maybe, yes, but I could have saved a lot of money if I had thought ahead a little. When shopping for the races it’s natural to want to stand out, but if your dress features bold colours, zany prints or is impractical in cut, ask yourself before buying if you would wear such a dress again; try to think of at least 3 specific events or occasions you would be able to wear it to, and if not, ask if it’s really worth the price you’re paying? Consider the fabric – it will say something about the longevity of the dress, and the longer it lasts, the more chances you’ll get to wear it in the future. Also check out the washing instructions – is it “dry-clean only”? Remember these points and if it really is love, try to make sure it’s lasting love, not fleeting love! Another great way to save on your dress for the races is to swap or borrow a pre-loved one from a girlfriend – this is especially good if you’re going to more than one race day. Lastly, if you really can’t resist the urge to splurge, try buying a bright top and wearing it with a skirt you already own; smaller garments usually cost much less than a dress.

 

Stay tuned for How to plan your races outfit on a budget: Part 2 – THE SHOES

“Hauling” is the latest trend amongst brag-happy bargain shoppers. So what’s it all about? Alissa Nasti investigates 

For a bargain shopper, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as dragging shiny new purchases back home, dumping them on the bed and going through them one by one. My favourite part of shopping happens as soon as I get home and I get to gloat about all the awesome stuff I bought and all the money I saved. And everyone knows gloating is way more satisfying when done in good company. My long-suffering boyfriend has had to sit through many a self-commentated catwalk show – “I scored these boots for sixty per cent off! How awesome is that?? And see how well they go with this tunic I got at that clearance sale? Do you like the colour? And what about these shorts? I know it’s the middle of winter but they looked so good on I couldn’t resist...”

Strangely enough, it turns out this phenomenon has both a name and a much more captive audience than my boyfriend.

“Hauling” is exactly what I described above, only it exists in the world of YouTube. After shopping sprees at budget fashion stores like Forever 21, H&M, and Target, haulers — most of whom are based in the US — tape themselves going through their purchases (or “haul”), explaining in detail what each item is, why they bought it and how much they bought it for.

Sound tedious and maybe a bit bratty? Millions of viewers would disagree. Bubbly 18-year-old Blair Fowler — aka juicystar07 — is YouTube’s queen of haul, posting hundreds of videos dedicated to her shopping habit on her hugely popular channel, which has had an unbelievable 52 million views. She has even been featured on Good Morning America and now has her own mobile phone accessories line. Not bad for bargain-obsessed teen fashionista.

Juicystar07


Blair is just one of thousands of YouTube haulers who obsessively catalogue their bargains; users ricebunny, CityandMakeup are also hugely popular, while DulceCandy87 posts beauty supply hauls that attract hundreds of thousands of views within hours.

Clearly, we bargain shoppers are a supportive lot — there’s something captivating and even inspiring about watching other bargain shoppers obsessively catalogue their deals.


DulceCandy87


But beyond that, I’m unclear what value viewers get out of YouTube hauls. Those lucky enough to live next to a Forever 21 can take advantage of some hot sale tips, I suppose, but for the rest of us it’s purely vicarious – and pointless. I’d much rather go score a haul of my own than watch somebody else rejoice over theirs. Now I know how my boyfriend feels!

What about you? Do you haul? Can you see the appeal in it? Or do you think it’s nothing more than bragging?

It’s official: the Aussie dollar is hovering around parity with the once mighty US buck. What this means is our humble golden-kangaroo coin now goes further when purchasing products from US-based stores online and elsewhere overseas. Known for its already slightly cheaper prices than Australia on many fashion and beauty products, American retail is now even more attractive. Even with postage costs included, the bargains up for grabs are enough to turn online-shopaphobics into add-to-cart addicts.

While we don’t want to encourage a mass exodus of local retail dollars (because that’s not helpful to our economy) — if you are interested in a little shopping offshore we’d like to point you in the right direction. Here are ten US online stores we'd recommend where you’re bound to find a bargain.

HOT TIP: US shoppers are crazy for coupons — so be sure to check online if there’s a coupon that could save you money on your overseas purchase.

www.bluefly.com  
Designer fashion and accessories for between 20 and 75 per cent off retail prices. Over 350 designers, from Miss Sixty to Jimmy Choo.
Shipping: Varies

www.shopbop.com  
Trawl the “Designer Index” for labels you love, or head straight to the SALE section for up to 70 per cent off RRP on clothing, shoes, accessories and bags. Our last browse showed up a pair of Diane von Furstenberg camouflage shorts down from $US245 to $US73.50.*
Shipping: Orders over $US100 are free; orders under $US100 cost $US10.

www.overstock.com  
Selling everything from clothing to jewellery, books, bedding and baby things — Overstock.com liquidates excess goodies from reputable brands for reduced prices.
Shipping: Varies

www.beautyticket.com  
“Department store brands at drugstore prices” is its slogan. BeautyTicket.com stocks skincare, cosmetics and bath products from major beauty brands sold at up to 85 per cent off RRP. Brands and stock change weekly.
Shipping costs: $US26.95 flat rate

www.bookdepository.com  
This international bookseller is actually based in the UK, but since it has FREE SHIPPING to anywhere in the world, we couldn’t resist putting it on our list. Books are insanely cheap, and there’s even a 10 per cent off, pre-Christmas special running at the moment. Visit the website for details.
Shipping: Free!

www.brandsboutique.com  
Handbags and apparel by luxe labels Armani, Burberry, Chanel, Chloe, Dolce & Gabbana, Juicy Couture, Miu Miu and more at up to 70 per cent off retail price.
Shipping: Flat rate of $US50, plus $US5 for each additional item purchased

www.dellamoda.com  
Authentic luxury handbags, shoes, sunglasses and accessories at discounted prices. Authenticity guaranteed. Grab a pair of Chanel frames of Prada shoes and rest assured they’re real.
Shipping: From $US45

www.ebay.com  
Need we explain? You can find anything cheap on eBay — but now you can cast your net wider than Australia and still save money.
Shipping: Varies

www.shopsafe.com  
If you’re nervous about sending your credit card details off into the online international ether, visit this website to check the store you’re purchasing from is safe and secure. Shopsafe also lists a huge range of stores in various categories to help with finding the products you’re after.

www.shopzilla.com  
Just because you can smell the US bargains from here as strongly as a Krispy Kreme doughnut doesn’t mean you’ll automatically find better prices overseas. And just as in Australia, prices over there vary greatly. Do a quick search of the product/brand you intend to purchase on US-based price comparison website Shopzilla before you buy to find the best deal. This is also a great place to find out about other US discount web stores.

* At the time of writing, the Australia dollar was approximately equivalent to the US dollar.

Have you gone on a US spending spree since the Aussie dollar struck gold? What bargains did you find and where? What are your favourite US or overseas web stores for the best bargains?

Follow these easy tips to ensure you buy the right pieces for the right price.

Investment portfolio
We’ve all heard this advice a million times but once more may make the difference: for a truly efficient wardrobe buy investment pieces that promise longevity and versatility. Once you’ve invested in a structured jacket or blazer, well-fitting jeans, an A-line skirt, crisp white shirt, wear-anywhere dress and black woollen cardigan, you can brighten up your outfits with an array of colourful accessories.

Accessorise
For most women, the first thing we notice on a girlfriend is her accessories: her jewellery, shoes, bag or scarf. It is these pieces that make or break an outfit, giving it a unique appeal either way. Scour op shops for a one-off bargain or hit the accessories racks of chain stores such as Sportsgirl, Diva, Dotti and Equip.

Plan ahead
To save money, figure out which pieces you actually need for your lifestyle and then scope out the sales to find them. That way you will avoid having a closet full of clothes that you only wear once. Scrutinise your wardrobe and make a list of what is missing. Begin by visiting the websites of your favourite stores, or the brands most likely to carry what you need. Online shopping is also your chance to compare prices and secure the best deal.

Shop often
Many of us went on shopping hiatus during the global financial crisis to avoid the credit crunch. When it came time to replenish our wardrobes, however, we had forgotten how to shop! If you shop often — even if you don’t need to actually buy anything — you'll have an informed idea of what's available and on trend.

The occasional splurge
Though I risk the wrath of the bargain shopping gods by suggesting this, if one super special item catches your eye don’t be afraid to treat yourself. A classic bag, glamorous pair of shoes or designer pair of sunnies will uplift any outfit and is therefore worth the investment. On the rare occasion that you do break the bargain barrier, make sure you consider all the essential shopping points such as wearability, cost per wear and versatility to ensure your purchase is wise.

What are your bargain shopping rules? Comment on this post or email bsgm@universalmagazines.com.au

I love setting myself a challenge when it comes to bargain shopping. Whether it’s to buy a hot wedding outfit for under $100 or to only buy supermarket-brand groceries for one week — setting mini money-saving goals like this can really help to keep spending habits in check and cash in your wallet. So when I heard about Salvos Stores’ “Buy Nothing New Month” it seemed like the perfect way to turn the month of October from a frivolous springtime spending spree into a thoughtful, environmentally-friendly, cash-conscious couple of weeks — with the chance to win prizes!

The idea is that during the month of October you only buy recycled goods (except for food, bills and necessities) — no matter what. Whether you need a new fridge, a new dress or a new set of dinner plates to host that daylight-savings barbeque, this month — if you take Salvos Stores’ challenge — you have to buy, borrow, barter or swap for stuff that’s 100 per cent genuine second hand.

I've started off the month by borrowing a book from a friend, which I probably would have bought fresh from the bookshop (in fact, I would have bought the whole series...) had I not been on my "nothing new diet", which has easily saved me $100. 

Apart from all the moolah you’ll save, getting on board Buy Nothing New Month will also take a load off the environment — literally — by slowing down the amount waste that goes to land fill.

The charity organisation is also giving away some rather appealing prizes in the form of cold hard cash (1st prize is $5000!) and other goodies. All you have to do is write in 150 words how you’ve changed your behaviour and bought nothing new in October (you also have to buy something from Salvos Stores), and then upload your photo or video onto the competition website. So you could actually earn money from showing off your bargain-buying talents. Grab all the details from www.nothingnew.com.au.

Need some inspiration on where to shop for pre-loved fashion and homewares during Buy Nothing New Month? Browse Bargain Shopper's listings for Vintage & Recycled fashion in Sydney, Charity Outlets in Sydney and Vintage & Pre-loved Fashion in Melbourne; or locate your nearest Salvos Store here. 


We’d love to know about your pre-loved purchases during Buy Nothing New Month. Share them below or let us know on Facebook or Twitter. How has the Salvos Stores' initiative made you rethink your buyer behaviour?

I am considering buying a pair of heavily discounted jeans online, and while I’m not baulking at the price (they're a steal — discounted from $180 to $75) the $10 postage fee has got me thinking: what if they don’t fit? What if the style doesn’t suit my shape? Of course, I can send them back, but is it worth it?

Is it a better “bargain” to take the risk of them not fitting and wear the postage fee (plus the extra postage cost and inconvenience of returning them) or to drive to a mall or jeans-laden shopping district and spend half a day trying on denim to find the perfectly-fitting pair, knowing that no money has gone to waste?

Considering I don’t particularly enjoy trying on jeans (it’s such a rigmarole to strip off your pants time after time and squeeze into those super-stiff-with-newness strides!) the answer is more or less staring me in the face. Paying for postage is paying for convenience of having the jeans ushered straight to your home for you to try on in front of your own private tell-it-like-it-is bedroom mirror.

I also figure that I probably wouldn’t be able to find as good a bargain in-store, and I’d end up spending that $10 anyway on parking and a food court lunch.

But what if the first pair doesn’t fit, and then the second and third pairs of jeans don’t fit either? Then I’m up to around $50 in debt with nothing to show for it. Maybe I should find a store that stocks this brand and style, try them on, then buy online. But by then the sale could be over!

It's all a matter of weighing up your priorities against convenience and cost. I think in this case I will "add to cart"... 

Do you always make sure you try on clothes in-store before buying them online? Or are you willing to take the pay-for-postage risk? Have you ever bought and sent back clothing items more than once, and was it worth it?

Comment below or email bargainguru@universalmagazines.com.au

Winter has more than arrived and our summer outfits have disappeared into hibernation. Hard as it is to get out of bed on these frosty mornings, for me it’s even harder finding something to wear. In summer I’m happy to throw on a sun dress and thongs; in winter it’s all about socks, tights, long sleeved tops, jackets, gloves and hats…

As with all my bargain fashion decisions, in winter I calculate value for money according to cost per wear. I might spend a small fortune on a dress, but if I wear it to death then the expense is justified. If, on the other hand, I buy a cheap item but rarely wear it, my pocket change was wasted. There are certain items in my wardrobe that fit into the first category — where items practically pay for themselves given how often I wear them. Here are my top five priceless pieces that are getting a good workout right now:

1. Black cotton leggings. These are a pivotal part of my winter uniform. I wear them with everything — summer dresses, winter dresses, oversized shirts. Just call me liquorice legs.
2. Fine wool cardigans. Country Road and Witchery do great basic cardis that can be worn year-round; I own them in black and grey so am pretty much covered for every outfit.
3. Flat leather boots. Heeled versions might look nicer, but when all’s said and done I’m a lazy girl who prefers to be comfortable when it’s cold. Worn over leggings or jeans, with dresses or skirts, these are a winner in any colour (though I favour black and brown).
4. A silk party dress. It’s tricky to look pretty in winter, thanks to the bulk of layers. Thank goodness for my long-sleeve cream silk dress (picked up at a Bettina Liano sale) that I can dress up with stockings, heels and a belt, or dress down with leggings.
5. Ugg Boots. Not exactly a fashion statement but Uggs are the perfect footwear to come home to at night or wear on the way to yoga.

What items in your wardrobe are worth their weight in gold in the colder months? Comment on the Bargain Shopper blog or email bsgm@universalmagazines.com.au

Though I consider myself a highly skilled bargain shopper, I must admit there are several things I’ve purchased on sale that have delivered zero value for money. Sure, a deal or steal is fantastic in theory — as long as there’s a place for it in your life.

Cost per wear
No matter how amazing a bargain you uncover, there’s no point buying something if you never end up using it. For example, if you buy a T-shirt on sale for $5 but never wear it, you have wasted $5. Not a huge amount but it all adds up!

Caught up in the excitement of a sale, I’m sure many of us are guilty of falling madly in love with a particular item and becoming blind to its inappropriateness. Whether it’s a size too small, does nothing for your figure or is just plain wrong, certain items should never leave the dress rack. I’m guilty of all these faults. I once bought a beautiful Witchery silk dress that was two sizes too big, having convinced myself that a belt would solve the problem. In the end, the only person to get any wear out of it was the mannequin I used to help sell the dress on eBay years later.

To avoid such blunders, ask yourself a few questions before heading to the cash register. Does the item fit perfectly? Is it flattering — both in colour and style? Does the item go with more than three things in your wardrobe? How often will you wear it? Can you wash it at home or will it be at the dry-cleaners every weekend? Only once you have answered these questions should you even consider forking out your hard-earned cash.

Be prepared
There’s no point entering a sale aimlessly — you’ll just end up buying things you don’t need that take up precious wardrobe space. To save money, figure out which fashion pieces you actually need for your lifestyle then check out the sales to find them. Go forth with a clear list and mark off the missing items as you go.

As a regular visitor to sales, I should have a complete wardrobe by now — sadly, this is not the case. I have hundreds of dresses but no trousers, jeans, neutral heels or sandals. I always head straight to the pretty dresses — meanwhile I have nothing to wear with them.

Classic blunders
There are certain rules to follow when shopping at sales to ensure you’re scoring a true bargain. Too often we convince ourselves that we can fix a faulty item once we have it home. Shopping for clothes is like relationships: you shouldn’t think you can change them into something they’re not!

Rule 1: Cheap shoes are never a good idea
Cheap shoes made from synthetic materials will not only hurt your feet; they’ll also fall apart after a few wears. A good pair of soles — and genuine leather — will last years and provide a much better cost-per-wear ratio.

Rule 2: Solid foundation
How many times have you found an item with a button missing or a tiny hole, but bought it regardless? Sure, minor adjustments can always be made but if the stitching is poor or damaged, the garment is no good. I once bought a designer top at a sale — the only one of its kind with all the buttons and stitching intact. I failed to take this as a sign that it would inevitably fall apart as well (which sure enough it did).

Rule 3: Try before you buy
No matter how long the queue, always wait for the change room. Sales often feature a no-returns policy, so if you truly love the item try it on. Big sales often have communal change rooms, so be sure to wear good underwear that will work with any outfit. And once you’re in the change room — BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF. If you’re never going to wear it, don’t buy it. It’s as simple as that.

What sales faux pas have you made? Comment on the Bargain Shopper blog or email bsgm@universalmagazines.com.au

I’m often the last person to climb aboard the proverbial bandwagon and my relationship with ebay is no exception. Though I’ve been a member since 2004 and had some buying success, I’ve never attempted to sell a thing. So a recent wardrobe clean out and the onslaught of Christmas shopping seemed an opportune moment to try out my online sales technique. Judging from a survey of friends, family and colleagues, I’m not the only one to have missed EBAY 101 at school; perhaps this account of my recent experiences will encourage or deter any of my fellow uninitiated ebayers!

When it comes to selling goods on ebay, the general consensus is that it’s a simple, straightforward procedure with zero effort and great rewards. In my case: not so. To begin with, I had to set up a seller account and link this to Pay Pal. Unfortunately, having originally registered for ebay while living in France; all instructions were given in French. Unable to decipher computer jargon at the best of times, let alone in a foreign language, I called upon the ebay live support team. Via instant messenger they helped reinstate me as an Australian ebay citizen and set up a seller account. All in all, these few steps took a couple of days.

Once an official AUSTRALIAN ebay seller, it came time to prepare my unwanted fashion items for sale. In all honesty, it was this stage of the game that had deterred me in the past. It involves the sorting of goods, washing and ironing clothes, taking good quality photos, writing descriptive text – from washing instructions to fabric types and item faults - then finally loading everything online. For around ten items I set aside a full day to get everything organised.

When loading the listings online, my lack of experience left me at the mercy of ebay tip sheets to determine what starting prices I should register for each item. They recommend starting your items at a low price to attract more bidders however I opted for the lowest price I would be happy to accept. This ranged from $4.99 to $49.99, with most products starting from around $9.99. I figured ten dollars for something I would otherwise have donated to an op shop would be fair exchange, while $50 for something I’d paid a lot of money for would be substantial. As it turns out, your starting price determines the amount you are charged for insertion fees – thus leading me to the next selling component: cost.

When you list an item on eBay, you're charged an insertion fee; if the item sells, you're also charged a final value fee. Then there are the extras you pay to enhance your listing. These include images, highlighted typeface, special positioning and more. Once you’ve sold the item and want to transfer your funds to your own bank account, you’re charged again. For example, to transfer $65 I’d received in payments to my linked account I was charged $1. None of these fees are unreasonably large but can add up over time. In my case, it made me reconsider some of the items I’d hoped to sell; some will instead be given away. After all, taking into account my time and insertion fees, the effort would not be justified if the items sold for a low figure or not at all.

The lesson that emerged from this experience is that in future I’ll only ebay items likely to fetch a hefty price like designer labels or great jewellery and accessories; other garments will go directly to the op shop. My ebay activities have also provided a welcome reminder to carefully consider the clothes I buy. Something that’s too big or way off my usual style is never going to look good on, regardless of its beautiful fabric, colour or bargain price tag.