TIS THE SEASON: IT'S SWEATER SHOPPING TIME!

You may consider mid-Summer as the least expected time to shop for cool-weather garments, but what you should know is that this is the best time of the year to prepare for the cold season.

Living in Texas and having a higher than 100-degree weather makes it the hardest to think of the upcoming rust-colored crisp autumn weather and the damp freezing cloudy winter. However, to me is always a cheer to start my sweater shopping around this time of year. Let me tell you why..

“The end of Summer is always the best season to explore and make your new cool-weather fashion selections.”

First, Check Out Your Stored Weather Garments

Around August, I like going into my closets and pulling out the stuff that I purchased on the previous year. Sometimes I realize that there are pieces that I was unable to wear more than once or twice. Other times, I even find items that still hold their price tags. Hence, the first thing is to clean up the closet, bring out the old clothes, donate the really old ones, and keep the newer ones. Furthermore, try to remember to pull out your boots, coats, and hats. Make sure you properly launder and brush accordingly before placing them into your reachable racks. Next, the fun times begin. The end of Summer is always the best season to explore and make your new cool-weather fashion selections.

Lookup For Sales As Well As New Collections

I strongly recommend that you do thorough research before you start shopping around. Meaning, try to learn about the newer trends for the upcoming seasons: colors, textures, fabrics, styles, accessories, etc. Once you learn about this, you'll be more adjusted to make your resolutions. I personally like to look at the latest Fashion Weeks on YouTube; I also follow some Instagram accounts of brands and ambassadors who start advertising their third and fourth quarter pieces early into the year. It's a matter of savoring the time you invest in learning about new trends.

“By researching and exploring fashion, you are going to learn about original concepts that will eventually become a part of your very own signature style.”

Don't Go By The Book

No, no, no, please don't copy/paste onto yourself what you see on social media. By researching and exploring fashion, you are going to learn about original concepts that will eventually become a part of your very own signature style. This is the goal. Try to find items and accessories that speak to you and most importantly, that you are convinced you will make good use of them. Don't just buy it because it has an affordable price, or because someone you respect it's recommending it. Aim to make wise decisions.

8 Important Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying Clothes

Too many people have shared with me that most of the time, they end up buying stuff that other influencers and models advertise on Instagram. They say they spend a good amount of money on things that they ever wear. Therefore, it's really important that you keep in mind the following thoughts before you make any final purchase:

1. who you are (identify your particular signature fashion)

2. what exactly do you like

3. what is your style

4. what is your age

5. what is your body type

6. what is your lifestyle like (where will you wear the pieces?)

7. what is your budget

8. what makes you feel comfortable
   

Once you answer all these questions respectively, it's a wrap!

Sales vs New Collections

Nordstrom, Revolve, Zara, Storets, etc. They all have Summer sales that I recommend you follow. They usually offer Summer garments but they also throw in last season sweaters, boots, coats, and jackets at a very good price. I recommend that you sign up for your favorite stores newsletters and you'll get notified. Now, when it comes to new collections you'll have to make your decisions on how much you plan to invest in new outfits that will sell for a higher price. Personally, when I purchase new collections I usually buy things that are more essential to me rather than trendy. For example, I buy coats and boots that I know will not go out-of-style soon. I purchase items that I need before the items in the new collections become part of the standard selection. Furthermore, I shop for basics that will last for more than one or two seasons.

Happy shopping!