2. Tailors Turn Trash to Treasure
Budget Shopping Tip: Save at the store, Splurge at the tailor
Sometimes you’re better off buying cheaper lower-quality clothing and having it tailored to fit properly rather than spending everything you have at the store and skipping the alterations. Quality is important, but fit is essential.
A tailor can also re-engineer old pieces you already own. I love finding old things in the back of my closet (or my father’s closet) that haven’t been worn in years, having them re-shaped and adding them back to my wardrobe.
Build a rapport with your tailor. He should know your name, how you like your clothes to fit and how much you want to spend with him.
At the end of the end, regardless of how much you spent on your outfit, confidence is the number one thing people will notice about your image.
There’s no shame in wearing something you paid a couple dollars for. If it fits well and you rock it with ease and confidence, people will assume you paid much, much more for it.
Crunch the Numbers
Double-Breasted Jacket: Free from lost and found at Second City Theater Chicago, alterations $60
Button Down Oxford: $30 from Land’s End (on sale)
Pocket Square: $15 from TheTieBar
Black Jeans: $42 Levis 511 from Macy’s
Watch: $49 Timex from eBay
Chelsea Boots: $109 Grenson from Urban Daddy online deal
Total Outfit: $305
- White oxford shirt by Land’s End
- Grey double breasted jacket Vintage
- White cotton pocket square
- Black jeans by Levis 511
- Gold watch by Timex
- Black chelsea boots by Grenson
13 Comments Add a comment
The best article I have ever come across on clothing. I am also one of those shoppers who love to save money as much as possible. Not very long time ago, I was very much careless while spending money on expensive clothing and accessories. But now after financial crisis I have learned to shop economically. found many great websites such as ezcouponsearch and retailmenot in last six months that helped me save a lot.
I like Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth. I got a pair of Banana Republic slacks for $35 on sale from like $80 I think, and got them tailored for $25.
Love the look! Curious as to how the scarf was tied?
I love your posts on budget shopping. Flea markets and army/navy surpluses are the way to go. So many jewels are found. You guys are life savers for real. Keep up the good work!
Nice post. I always love a good budget shopping tip. Nice one Cory.
These outfits are still a little expensive… Haha, maybe I’m just speaking for myself though. I’m pretty much broke most of the time. Great article!
H&M and Zara are great for buying cheap, well-fitting clothing on a budget. Being a former employee of H&M, I made full use of my discount. This article is a godsend for college students like myself. I need to visit thrift stores more often.
Love the bleeding madras in look 3 (which is my favorite look). Great post!
Something more affordable, for me especially being in college. I like the fact that this is someone I can relate too. Nice job TSB you never disappoint.
I think that secondhand stores have been getting a lot of love lately in the menswear world. And it totally helps out guys who really cant drop a grand on a new burberry trench coat. But they can find a used one for $250. Great post. It also helps to open people’s eyes who pass judgement on well dressed people thinking that they spend thousands on their clothes all the time.
FINALLY! This is the kind of thing you guys should be doing!!! Great work. Really. Obviously not a man, but have to say this is definitely more accessible to the everyday, “real” man. Thanks for showing finances don’t have to dictate fashion. A plus.
This is an awesome post! I personally am a budget shopper and love looking for deals anywhere and everywhere, so I can definitely relate to this post. Great style by Cory and on a budget!
You coulda hit me up for this one man! And I recently decided to extend my school career for a few more years, so this kind of shopping will continue to be a necessary habit for me haha. Cory did a good job though! Reminds me I still gotta get more familiar with Ebay…