Spring style and charity on a budget

Elizabeth Zimmer, Staff Writer
April 12, 2012
Filed under Arts & Leisure

Since we all had a nice weather tease just a few short weeks ago, I’m sure that we’re all thinking about whipping out our shorts and tank tops. However, as you open those buckets stuffed in the back of your closet, you might realize that you simply aren’t into those styles anymore! Perhaps college food took a toll on you and those short shorts no longer buckle closed.

That’s when you know it’s time to take a trip to the store and get yourself a new wardrobe for the sunny months ahead. Before you go out and spend $50 on a pair of ripped booty shorts, I wish to share some helpful tips.

There is always a cheap way to get the look you want. However, before you think about yourself, take a moment to think of others. Just like you, there are less fortunate people who need new attire for the hot summer months. Clothes that don’t fit, or the ones you’re no longer fond of, make perfect charitable donations! All you need to do is clear out your closet and admit to yourself that you will never wear that shirt you bought two years ago and haven’t touched since, put such items into a garbage bag and drive to your local donation center.

Any shirts, shorts, pants and jackets (basically any clothing but undergarments and worn socks) are all that you need to help someone in your local community. Organizations like the Salvation Army, Goodwill and the American Red Cross are constantly looking for help and donations. Donation centers are usually fairly easy to reach, such as St. Joseph’s in Camillus or the American Red Cross on Oswego Rd. in Liverpool.

Place a bag of your unwanted belongings in the box and you’ve done two great things: you can feel good about having given back to the community and you’ve now got plenty of space in your closet for those new Spring fads that  you’re so desperate to purchase!

Now is the time to focus on yourself, well mostly, your wallet. The most popular and desirable spring and summer fashions can be found at discount prices for your benefit. The best places that I know of for you ladies are Forever 21, Plato’s Closet, Marshalls, Target, T.J. Maxx and thrift stores. All of those provide prevalent clothing for prices that are genuinely affordable.

At Plato’s Closet, located on Erie Boulevard, you can get money for your gently used name-brand clothes should you not wish to donate them outright. At the other stores one will be provided with an array of options from formal dresses to a pair of jean shorts.

Plato’s Closet sells men’s clothes as well, in a smaller — yet sufficient — selection.Likewise, men may seek out bargains at Target, Marshalls or T.J. Maxx — all of which are great places for affordable springtime clothes.

Always look for the clearance items in any regularly priced store. For example, American Eagle tends to have sales on great items that you didn’t buy three months ago due to their cost. It can never hurt to invade the clearance and sale racks. No one else will be able to tell that you paid a meager $10 for that $45 T-shirt!

Remember, you’re not the only person who needs new clothes for the upcoming hot months. You’re fortunate enough to get any look you want on a budget, so try to pay it forward.