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Wear Clothes You Are Comfortable In
People try way too hard to be something they are not and they think other people don’t notice. News flash: they always notice.
If you are comfortable wearing preppy clothes, do not start wearing biker jackets and t-shirts with skulls on them because it is the latest trend. If you love wearing band tank tops and tees in the summer, do not start shopping at Ralph Lauren. “Your personal style is what really matters and it’s as unique as your signature,” notes Mascarella. “Nothing is more stylish than confidence.”
At the end of the day, the man (or woman) makes the clothes, not the other way around.
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Don’t Be Scared of Color
For my high school graduation party, I broke my previous tip and I wore red jeans that I was not comfortable with at all. It was not my normal style and people noticed. It was uncomfortable, embarrassing, and I promised myself I would stick with black and blue jeans forever.
Two years later and those same red jeans are my go-to pair, especially for crisp, sunny days in the spring. Go through your closet, find a few pieces that are colorful, and center your outfit on one. What colors are best for the spring?
“Pastels are really in this spring – minty green, baby blues and pale yellow. I say go for softer shades; they are so flattering for guys and girls,” shares Mascarella.
When I throw on my fitted blue polo with khakis, navy blue boat shoes (shades, remember?), a pair of Ray-Bans and a simple watch, I usually get compliments.
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Target Is Trendy.
When I first started getting into fashion, I thought style involved spending $60 on a t-shirt, but unless it is woven with unicorn hair, it isn’t worth it.
Recently, budget stores like Target and JCPenney have really stepped up their game in the style department (seriously) and they should be the go to place for college students on a budget, especially if there are sales going on.
Mascarella also endorses Target. “Stores like Target are great for your wardrobe staples like black leggings, tights, tanks and blue jeans. Saving money is always on trend, so there’s no shame in shopping the chain retailers – it’s smart!”
A couple of things about those sales at Target: If a price ends in an 8, wait to buy it, as it will be marked down again. If it ends in a 4, snag it. The price will not go any lower. Also, Target has consistent sales every week. Women’s clothing normally goes on sale Tuesdays and men’s clothing on Wednesdays.
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Clearance is Awesome
Please, for the love of everything that is beautiful, do not pass the clearance section by. Do you know why the clearance section is always in the back of the store? Because you have to walk past all the expensive clothes to get to it.
That nice polo you see on the mannequin as soon you walk in? You can almost always find a similar item in the clearance section for at least 20% less all the way up to half off. If you shop on a sale day, those prices are marked down even more. That $120 pair of shoes you were eyeing? A similar pair is $30 in clearance.
What is the secret to shopping clearance? “Ask. You know that sales person who asks if there’s anything she can help you with? Say yes. Ask them what recently went on sale that she recommends,” says Mascarella.
10. Buy Your Clothes In Season
Stores are constantly marketing clothes for the coming season, not the current one.
Always wait until the day that the season starts to buy clothes for that season. The start of spring is when you buy spring clothing. It goes into clearance because the stores are putting everything out for the upcoming summer season. Wear the clothes when the seasons tell you, not when the clothing company tells you.
