A reader asks - what are the options for the man of style on a budget?

Monday, 6 August 2012

Many thanks to Mal Jones who asked me to write something for the grey fox on a budget. I don't spend a lot on my clothes (that may be obvious from the odd photo posted on the blog!) and there are a number of ways in which you can keep the costs of style in control.

Take full advantage when quality retailers have sales.

Buying cheap clothes is unlikely to represent an overall saving. How long do those budget chain store shirts really last? Do you really like them? Do they wash well? Do they fit well? Probably not. If so, you will wear them for a very short while before throwing them away - or they will linger unworn in the wardrobe. Where's the financial saving there? So, buy as good quality as you can afford. Better clothes will fit better, last better, wash better and look better. You will enjoy wearing them more, so will need fewer overall. This has been my experience since I started my search for style in middle age.

A few more ideas -

Wait for the sales and buy the best quality you can afford. Who cares if they are last year's designs?
Learn what to look for in better-made clothes. It's very difficult to define a well-made garment as materials, construction and purpose vary so much. Feel the material, does it crush, is it soft and comfortable, does it feel insubstantial, does it have that unidentifiable feel of quality? Are the seams properly sown, do they come apart under pressure? While not a foolproof guarantee, the better the name on the label the higher the quality will be.
Try the garment on. Does it feel comfortable? Does it fit well? How does it fit as you move? If you buy on-line be sure that you are prepared to return something that doesn't fit and make sure that the shop has a fair and easy return policy and process (see Boden and Mr Porter for excellent examples.)
What have you got that you will wear the garment with? Don't waste money on something you'll never wear again as it doesn't go with the rest of your wardrobe.
Try buying vintage for style and individuality at a fair price. See my efforts elsewhere in this blog. If a garment doesn't quite fit be prepared to have it altered by a good tailor.
Periodically have a good clear-out of your wardrobe, you may find a long-forgotten treasure you can revive.
Clean and maintain clothes well - they will feel, look, last and smell better.

I'm not going to recommend particular manufacturers and suppliers as I think that, in general, you get what you pay for on the high street. Shop around and apply the ideas above and you should end up with an economical but good quality wardrobe of fewer clothes that you will wear regularly.

Vintage brogues eBay £25

Harris tweed jacket (part of a suit) eBay

Hornets vintage, Kensington, London

Hornets vintage

4 comments

Martin7 August 2012 at 12:05
Excellent advice. Even in these austere times, there are unbelievable treasures lurking in charity shops. And it's for a good cause.
John Simmonds8 August 2012 at 03:58
There are some excellent vintage shops in Portsmouth area trading under the "One Legged Jockey"
Fred Gonsowski10 August 2012 at 19:13
Hi Grey fox,

A few more things to add to your list..

Buy Winter clothing in mid to late February, and Summer clothing in mid to late July, the stores want to get rid of not sold merchandise to make space for new arrivals.

Try on many of the same size of clothing item you are interested in. Different fabric cutters, and sewers will effect the final fit of the garments. Sometimes things are also mis-sized.

Wash your clothing ONLY in cold water, with like colors, and line dry. Try not to put things in the dryer, if at all possible. Don't use fabric softener, it might soften the fibers of the cloth and make the garment wear out quicker. Wash socks inside out. Any kind of tee or polo (knit shirt) dry on plastic hangers, but take the place where the top of the sleeve meets the shoulder and move the fabric up on the hanger toward the collar a bit, and fasten it with a clothes pin to dry, this will prevent stretch bumps from forming.

Go to good will, church rummage sales, etc for possible finds like pocket squares, and bow ties. The price will be a lot better and you don't know what you will find. Just make sure you wash everything, or send it off to the dry cleaners, before mixing it with your other clothing.

Try not to buy things that everyone else has, Trends are for the masses. Personal style is about doing it your way, letting out the inner YOU.

Grey Fox...Congrats on all the Wonderful Press you are getting!