Picking clothes
Buy some comfortable underclothes.
· Undies: ten to twenty pairs are a good amount. Include boy shorts or briefs for every day, a few pairs of seamless and one or two prettier pairs.
· Camisoles. Camis is a major fashion staple in any teen girl’s wardrobe. They are great for layering and almost every clothing store has them. Choose neutral colours first – white, black, grey, neutral. Once you have finished your wardrobe, you can go back for colours.
· Tank tops. Have a couple of tight or loose tank tops· Socks: Have around ten pairs of everyday ankles socks, a few pairs of trainer liners and a few pairs of knees high or over the knee socks. You may also want some fluffy or slipper socks.
Get some comfortable pyjamas. Own two to five sets of comfortable PJs. Think about the weather and time of year. In summer, some people prefer to wear just a baggy t-shirt or cami, or if you get cold in winter, sleep in a big sweater or hoodie with pyjama pants.
Have a variety of stylish and versatile bottoms. Every girl should have a nice floral skirt for the summer months. High waisted and low-rise shorts are great as well. A pair of dark wash skinny jeans and a pair of embellished jeans will make perfect additions to your wardrobe (have a few pairs). For a unique pair of jeans, try bell-bottom jeans. Don’t forget leggings! Try to find fancy sweatpants and of course, regular baggy sweats too!
· Sweatpants: two to three pairs will be perfect. Make sure they are good quality, have a good fit (not too baggy or tight), and match with at least two of your outfits.
· Jeans: Try to buy mostly dark or medium washed jeans as these are the most versatile, but don’t be afraid to buy a coloured, patterned, faded, embellished or stonewashed pair if you love them.
Get some quality tops that are stylish and suit you. Basically, any tops that suit your style will do. Stay away from baggy t-shirts. Flowing tops are nice, as are sweaters. Get a variety of colours and styles and don’t get into the habit of buying the same shirt in every single colour just because you like it that much. Ten to fifteen tops would be ideal.
· Get some pretty dresses for many different occasions. Own two to six different dresses, one black dress, and about five other dresses. A longer dress looks great on tall girls. Try to get them in different styles and colours that suit you well. Some should be for partying, some less casual, like church.
Shoes and accessories
Get a variety of cute shoes that are inexpensive yet quality. You could either hit it or miss it with shoes. Make sure your shoes are cute and match your personality, and do not overload your credit card. Here are some pairs to get you started:
· Athletic Shoes: You should have at least one pair of athletic shoes. It also depends on how many sports you play, but you should have at least one pair of running shoes. You may also need football or hockey boots if you play.
· Sneakers: You will need at least one pair of non-athletic sneakers such as Converse, Vans or Nike blazers. These are great for the mall, park or a friend’s house.
· Sandals: Have one or two pairs of cute, comfortable sandals, for the beach and for walking. Moccasins are also fabulous.
· Boots: This also depends on where you live, but for anybody, have one pair of hiking boots. Also, you should have a pair of long black boots, for warm or cold. Black is good, but no bright colors.
· Flats: It’s good to have a couple of pairs of flats because they go with a lot of outfits. Bright colors or pretty patterns always complete the outfit and make your whole look change. Have back up always, and maybe a pair of regular blacks or greys in handy.
· Heels: Have one or maybe two pairs. One should be in black, and maybe some others in stylish colours, but make sure they match with your dresses/formal clothes.
Get some flattering, pretty accessories that look great on you. Be sure to get lots of earrings. Some basics are pearls and faux or real diamonds. Necklaces are pretty and come in a variety of different styles and colours. Try to avoid necklaces and bracelets that say “Best Friends” on them. They are nice when little kids wear them, but for teens, they are a little much. They also may make your other friends feel bad. Buy all accessories last because they are meant to accent the outfit.
Shopping wisely
Clean out your closet before you go shopping. Take some time to sort through what you already have in your closet. This way, you can figure out exactly what you need before spending money. Make piles for clothes to keep, donate, and possibly sell.
· If you’re on the fence about keeping an item, think about the last time you wore it and consider if you’ll reach for it soon.
· Toss clothes that have obvious holes or rips in them.
Adjust the shopping list to suit where you live, what you do and what you prefer. For example, if you live in a hot country, you might want a pair of capris. Or maybe, you might like jeans/pants more than skirts, so you might want three pairs of jeans, three pairs of pants, and one skirt.
Look for sales. Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t buy yourself a few cute new pieces. In order to save money, you have to hit the sales just right, especially if you wish to buy things from an expensive store. The easiest way to do this is to subscribe to numerous catalogues and ads. It also keeps you up on the latest trends and styles.
Buy only what you need. Even if it’s a bargain, it’s of no use to you unless you will wear it. Stuffing clothes at the back of the wardrobe is a recipe for clutter and wasting money.
