How do you afford it??

31 replies / 653 views / last reply by Linda L. 2 months ago

Chris Kurth

Chris K.

I'M NOT REALLY SURE...,
Germany

70 posts

Member since: 03/23/2011

OK, so I have now been coming to this website for quite a few months, but one thing strikes me: I get it when people who are like 23+ post a look like 3 times a week. They probably work full time after studies orso.

But how on earth do you teenagers who post a lot afford that many clothes?
Back when I was a teenager, that job I had would finance me well through the weekends, but in no way it would pay for those looks that I see...

So I am just curious, do you just have generous parents or grandparents? An overpaid job or just three? Are you really into DIY and thrifting, how do you do it?

Please enlighten me :)

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Megan McMinn

Megan M.

ENGLAND,
United Kingdom

249 posts

OG since: 07/29/2010

There is a lot to be said for thrifting and re-crafting. I love digging out clothes from a few years ago and reworking them, or simply digging out old pieces at flea markets and second hand shops. I keep up with all of the local vintage markets and go to a couple a month to scour for bargains.

I also take advantage of every sale opportunity; it's very very rare that I will buy something from somewhere like TopShop or Urban Outfitters that hasn't been significantly reduced.

Work is a big part of it. My parents haven't bought me clothes since I was about fourteen (with the exception of the odd Christmas/birthday gift) so I've had to get used to earning and budgeting my own money. It sounds bad, but I'll often compromise financially in other areas of life so that I have a bit more to spend on clothes. It think it's worth it!

posted Feb 10, 2012

Kat B

Kat B.

THE SUNSHINE STATE,
United States

46 posts

Member since: 12/31/2011

I just look for clearance items, or wait for things I want to be put on sale. I almost never buy things at their full price, unless I have to (or unless they're already cheap to begin with). For me, it's all about strategy and figuring out how sales work at your favorite stores! I've never been thrifting before, but I'd like to start doing that too.

posted Feb 10, 2012

Jess W

Jess W.

HOLE,
New Zealand

6 posts

Member since: 03/20/2011

THRIFTING! I can get $500 pieces for $6. The trick is spending hours on it. Look through every rack. Once I stopped trying to be all clever (looking at things that caught my eye) and instead inspected each item, I got the thrifting bug!
Also, designer outlet stores. I can get $600 jeans for $50.

posted Feb 11, 2012

Kate S

Kate S.

Canada

74 posts

Member since: 01/12/2012

Personally my excessive of wardrobe comes from thrifting. So thrifted items are basically my wardrobe. It's a lot cheaper than buying single pieces new, even on clearance. The other day I bought a tank top from H&M that was $10 on sale - which is the equivalent to about 5 thrifted pieces. If I wasn't such a cheapskate I probably wouldn't have fell in love with thrifting, but I am so...
$25 is the max I'll spend on a new item, haha.

posted Feb 11, 2012

Paris Holland

Paris H.

LOS ANGELES,
United States

127 posts

OG since: 01/04/2010

I'm still trying to figure out how a lot of people on here my age have mass amounts of Alexander Wang, Chanel, Moschino, and all these other expensive designer brands. The people that post 2-3 Lookbook photos a week. How do they afford it? !

posted Feb 11, 2012

Carolyn M

Carolyn M.

JOISEY,
United States

942 posts

OG since: 09/25/2009

Well, I never throw things out, so the things I have collected over the years is a large pile. My parents and family know I love clothes, and that's often what I get as gifts on birthdays and christmas (or gift cards and money), I work here at college and during the summer, and I love DIY. I also love thrifting and bargain hunting. I may shop a decent amount, but I'm a pretty cheap person, a lot of what I buy for myself is pretty inexpensive (I only splurge occasionally and I don't really care for expensive designer brands). I guess I'm not a teenager, I'm 21, but still not quite on my own yet.

posted Feb 11, 2012

Nina Stormborn

Nina S.

AN OLD CITY,
Germany

11 posts

Member since: 02/02/2012

Personally, I don't have any good thrift shops arround (actually theres only one and at the moment is all about costumes for carneval...-.-) so I put my entire family on a "throwing away"-ban, until I've lookes through alle the items and picked what I liked. I fund some awsome knit swaters in my grandmas basement, that she doen't use anymore. That was 6 sweaters for 0€ :) Same goes for my dad's old shirts and my moms shoes etc.

posted Feb 11, 2012

Vanessa Alexandra

Vanessa A.

NEW YORK,
United States

96 posts

Member since: 01/06/2012

I still have clothes from when I was fourteen (I am now twenty-three). I take great care of everything I own. In addition, I very rarely buy anything full price. I also buy directly from the manufacturer and when there are GOOD sales. I am very lucky; my mom has a ton of vintage clothing from the sixties and seventies that I borrow!
I would also never buy designer jeans, expensive shoes and I own two expensive designer bags that I cherish and intend to keep for life.

posted Feb 11, 2012

May A

May A.

EUROPE,
Spain

817 posts

OG since: 09/20/2009

Some people work and some people buy cheap, but some people just have more money to spend in clothing than others, also.

posted Feb 11, 2012

Olivia Ess

Olivia E.

CINCINNATI,
United States

80 posts

Member since: 09/28/2011

I feel like most people just have the money. Most people on the "hot" page are not only thrifting or buying on sale...then again many do thrift as well, and I am envious that they have such decent thrift stores haha.

posted Feb 11, 2012

MaryAlice M

MaryAlice M.

WONDERLAND,
United States

782 posts

Member since: 09/14/2011

Thrifting, Sale Racks, upcylced old clothes.

posted Feb 11, 2012

Chris Kurth

Chris K.

I'M NOT REALLY SURE...,
Germany

70 posts

Member since: 03/23/2011

@May A.

Well but the money has to come from somewhere. Rich inheritance? Daddy's pocket money? Rich Husband?

posted Feb 12, 2012

Tanya Zh

Tanya Z.

UKRAINE, BELARUS, USA AND EUROPE,
Belarus

7 posts

Member since: 11/13/2011

You don't have to be rich to be able to afford it, but you have to be creative and always have your mind open to finding new staff at good prices.

From my personal experience, I like thrift stores. Too bad the country I live in right now does not have any good thrift stores.

Look for sales and clearances.

Find consignment stores you like-they re-sell someone elses designer items for half the price. My favorite one is decadestwo1.com and yoogiscloset.com.

Don't forget about ebay and eatsy. I personally got some very good finds through those.

I have a section of vintage finds on my blog and tips how to find good staff. You are welcome to check it out and maybe find something relevant. notesbytanya.com/category/finds/

posted Feb 12, 2012

Jennifer W

Jennifer W.

221B BAKER STREET,
United States

47 posts

Member since: 07/31/2011

I usually only buy from sale or clearance, and try to use coupons whenever I can. Also, a good portion of my clothing have been thrifted. Sometimes I also take old pieces and reconstruct them.

However, my parents do pay for a good portion of my clothing; but I don't abuse that privilege meaning that even though they'd pay for it I wouldn't go and blow $150 on only 3 things. I can usually get 6 or 7 pieces for $100. Plus I steal a lot of clothing from my parents' closets :D I keep a very strict watch on my grades and I don't plan on asking for a car and rarely ask to hang out with friends etc. so in a way they don't feel as bad paying for something when I do ask for it. The reason I mention the car is because I live in a town where it's not uncommon for lots of kids to get brand new cars of their own on their 16th birthdays and for people to afford to be able to go on long vacations every break so in a way, even with my shopping addiction, my parents don't end up spending as much money on me as would other parents for their children.

One way I found to make money was offering my photography services in photoshoots for other people (i.e. birthday parties, senior portraits etc.) and from that I recently made $200 off of a birthday party which is how I plan on making my own money to buy the things I want now! :)

posted Feb 12, 2012

Louise Herron

Louise H.

NEWCASTLE,
United Kingdom

211 posts

OG since: 01/13/2010

I make clothes from things i get from charity shops, be it other clothes or curtains.
I go to charity shops, primark (when topshop has its jewellery sale on its SO CHEAP) wait for things to go on sale.

I had a job at John Lewis, and for my age i got a really good wage. (Looking for another job now) But thats how i bought my doc martens

posted Feb 12, 2012

Reiel Limlengco

Reiel L.

JAPAN BUT LIVING IN MANILA,
Philippines

290 posts

Member since: 12/13/2011

Sale. :D

i'm getting my Jackets Half the Price. :D

and I have a job

posted Feb 24, 2012

Kumba Dauda

Kumba D.

GLASGOW,
United Kingdom

142 posts

Member since: 11/01/2011

I work in a shop part-time, but then i have only got 5 looks LOL....

posted Mar 5, 2012

Kumba Dauda

Kumba D.

GLASGOW,
United Kingdom

142 posts

Member since: 11/01/2011

@Paris H.

I know right its crazy ! they like must spend a fortune on designer clothes..

posted Mar 5, 2012

Kumba Dauda

Kumba D.

GLASGOW,
United Kingdom

142 posts

Member since: 11/01/2011

Actually Well, (sorry for the continuous posting) i've seen a few websites where in fact you can actually borrow clothes designer brands and things for a week or so and then send it back and you only pay the fraction of the price ! thats a way to create a designer filled lookbook's i suppose ...

xx

posted Mar 5, 2012

Kat T.

Kat T.

THE EAST COAST,
United States

287 posts

Member since: 01/10/2011

I know a lot of people thrift and whatnot, but I also see people my age covered in merch from Black Milk, and other really pricey online shops. I have honestly no clue how to afford clothes like that; I just assume they have a really wonderful job that pays well. Some teens and young adults get internships and work for places they intern at, so they're not making minimum wage.

Also, quite a number of popular Lookbook members get freebies from certain online shops, if they have a wide enough audience.

posted Mar 5, 2012

Liberty D

Liberty D.

LONDON,
United Kingdom

135 posts

OG since: 08/12/2010

For me I tend to buy timeless classic pieces that can be in so many different ways for anytime of the season.
Also, If I find some clothes in my wardrobe that haven't been worn for a while I either put it on ebay to save money for new clothes or add some DIY decorations.
Alot of expensive stores online have random flash sales if you subscribe to their newsletters, It's so easy to get a pair of Acne trousers or a Burberry bag for under half the price.

posted Mar 5, 2012

Eva Soqueña

Eva S.

MANILA,
Philippines

118 posts

Member since: 04/27/2011

Well, first, I have a job. Second, I usually look for items that are on sale. Most of my clothes are from Forever 21 and I got about half of them on sale. I would splurge on clothes once in a while though, as a self-reward. And if I really, really love it, then I wouldn't mind buying it even if it's expensive. Also, I have a cousin who works in a shoe company who would send me samples. I have a few designer stuff that were given to me as gifts. And I also have some classic pieces in my wardrobe that I can wear with anything. Hmmm. That's about it.

posted Mar 5, 2012

Anine  P

Anine P.

Norway

21 posts

Member since: 12/10/2011

I just inherit my mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, cousins, etc. old clothes. If I absolutely need to buy something, I'll probably buy it at a cheap store or on sale. I don't bother with expensive clothes, but sometimes my parents get me something really nice as a birthday/x-mas gift. (:
Besides, you never know what you'll find at the bottom of a box in your garage :P

posted Mar 5, 2012

Asal Raad

Asal R.

LONDON,
United Kingdom

71 posts

OG since: 04/13/2010

Working, thrifting, charity shopping, hand me downs, crafts and borrowing (y)

posted Mar 6, 2012

Roselinni C

Roselinni C.

GREENFIELDS,
Philippines

167 posts

Member since: 11/13/2011

i buy them when they're already on sale. that item can wait. all you have to do is to keep an eye on it. you might get a LOT of discount lke you've never had.

posted Mar 6, 2012

Emily Rose England

Emily Rose E.

LONDON,
United Kingdom

295 posts

OG since: 11/07/2009

I buy vintage wholesale or go to fill a bag for x amount vintage sales.

posted Mar 6, 2012

Hannah M

Hannah M.

ZZYZX RD.,
United Kingdom

293 posts

OG since: 01/25/2010

i've bought a fair amount over the years and never photographed them. i've not changed in size since i was about fourteen. so it basically means that when i have a chance to take photos i have a lot of clothes that i can use. i never throw anything away basically ahaha, if it's something i love i'll keep it until it falls right off me, and possibly not even then..

posted Mar 6, 2012

Davorin P

Davorin P.

Slovenia

33 posts

Member since: 02/08/2012

this days there are a lot of stores where you can buy amazing and expensive look a like clothes, at least thats what i do.

posted Mar 6, 2012

Linda L

Linda L.

GOTHENBURG,
Sweden

114 posts

OG since: 04/10/2009

I've got a job now, but when i were in high school and lived at home i spent the little i had on clothes. And i never buy any expensive stuff. Never!

posted Mar 6, 2012

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