<p>Okay, so I have NO clothes really to take to college with me. All of my clothes are raggedy (except for my blood drive shirts) and worn. I have two pairs of pants and NO shorts that aren't covered in grass stains or holes. </p>
<p>I really want to start fresh and look nice in college; not glamorous or anything, but not like the bum I do now. </p>
<p>I'm a girl, and just want to buy some cheap, basic jeans and shorts, shirts and such.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any recommendations on what to do... with college expenses I don't really have tons of money for anything... I might be able to squeeze out $100-200 for clothes and dorm stuff. I don't even have a nice coat (I just layer and use a massive hoodie) and am attending college in the Northeast.</p>
<p>So anyone who knows how to get a good deal on clothes... HELP ME OUT!</p>
<p>Wear whatever makes you comfortable. When I have 8am classes, the last thing on my mind is my wardrobe lol. I prefer to wait until there are massive clothes sales, like right after Christmas. I bought $150-$200 worth of clothes for about $50 last year. :)</p>
<p>I’ll second the suggestion of waiting for sales. You can also shop the clearance racks or even try a thrift store on 50% off day. If you’re home area and college have different fashion trends, then you have to find a combination of each that works for you. I’d suggest stocking up on a few basics and maybe one dressy outfit for parties and one for presentations/interviews that’s at least business casual. $200 won’t necessarily get you a lot, especially if shoes are included. Try stores like TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, and Ross if you have them.</p>
<p>Forever 21, but that may be too expensive for your budget. I got a nice jacket there though.
Thrift stores have some really cute clothes if you look. I know a girl who buys most of her clothes from thrift stores and she dresses so cute!</p>
<p>I also agree with Ross, Marshall’s. Kohl’s has some good deals too.</p>
<p>For basics, try basic stores. Target was mentioned and you should try everywhere to find good deals. Costco, Walmart, Kohls, Kmart. Forever 21 for girls is a pretty inexpensive place to get things (although you’re getting what you pay for… a lot of thing I’ve gotten there break), but you’ll definitely find something and at low prices.</p>
<p>I also recommend shopping online at websites that have good deals on shipping. This way you can more easily compare prices and find coupons. Sign up for email alerts to your favorite stores (although you’ll be getting a lot of email… some stores send mail every day) and you can get special sales or heads up on discounts.</p>
<p>Honestly, I only shop for things on sale. The clearance section is the first place I go. Just ignore the full-price stuff unless it’s something of quality you know you’ll use for a long time (like a really nice jacket, or comfy boots). Just use common sense :)</p>
<p>Check to see if there’s a Plato’s Closet store near your hometown or your college town. It’s a resale shop, but it deals exclusively in clothes for teenagers/young adults. There will be brands and labels that you recognize, but you can get things like cute shirts in the $10-$12 range.</p>
<p>(It sells both girls’ and guys’ clothes, by the way.)</p>
<p>I’m in the same freakin’ boat as you! All my clothes are the lame public school khakis and I just realized I have 3 jeans and a bunch of random shirts. I think with that a few nicer shirts and 4 more jeans should be good plus a pair of shorts or two. It’s gonna be cold but the other day my teacher told me to go shopping for sweater and winter clothes NOW! (I’m in TX btw). They’re cheap, at like…$3-10 here. Also, I loooooooooove walmart. Decent jeans but I always end up buying my shirts in the boys section (girls shirts are random lace and lowcut things and the boy shirts are very…gay, so it looks normal on a straight girl). Also, if you’re into fancier stuff there’s TJ Maxx. I don’t normally go there but my uncle gave me a gift card and I bought a lot for $100 but you really have to actually look (I just hate shopping myself). I’d just go there for jeans anyway and jackets too. </p>
<p>I already kinda have a plan (and I’m pretty broke and a girl too). I’m gonna go back to TJ or Marshalls maybe and buy some jeans and on-sell sweaters/jackets soon. Buy some shorts also for the summer at walmart soon. Later on buy some shirts since it’s just shirts (probably at walmart). And then, maybe if I have enough left, splurge on some nice undies and bras (victoria secrets?). I’m gonna do it all in segments over the summer.</p>
<p>Dorm stuff, eh, I just need a tall single-bed cover sheets. I’ll take my own blankets and pillow. Towels, eh, buy 'em eventually whenever I see a pack on sale. I know there’s usually a bed, desk, and drawer already there at dorms (mirror too). Again…to Walmart!</p>
<p>Kohls is great, they have a wide variety of junior items and often have sales and/or coupons. My D and I have also found lots of nice things for her in the junior dept. at JC Penney - also reasonably priced yet stylish. Look online for coupons to both places. For basic shirts and the like D also shops at Target. Good luck!</p>
<p>OP- Send an text to your friends(the fashionistas who need to clean out their closets and wear your size) that you are collecting clothing that they don’t want and ask them if you can go through the discards to scavenge stuff for you to take to college. Promise you won’t wear them until you get to school far, far away.
Anything left over donate to a shelter, church, Goodwill.
Spend your money on durable underwear, socks, good walking shoes, tennis shoes
Don’t forget to include toiletries(toothpaste, shampoo, whatevers and makeup)
Make a list of what you need so you hit all the essentials.
Cargo pants
Dark jeans
skirt
Jacket
Tennis shoes
Walking shoes
Flip flops
Socks
Undies
blah, blah, blah</p>
<p>nothing4me-Guys have it easier-having a wardrobe of basics will carry you far.
Dark jeans, t shirts, jacket, hoodie, long sleeved shirt, cargo pants, belt
Plenty of socks-all the same(that way you will always have a match)
You can never have too many underwear
Tennis shoes
Walking shoes-your choice
Flip flops(nubuck and/or rubberized for the shower)
Please no sandals…eww
Start shopping now and go often and expect sometimes not see anything you want or price range
TJMaxx, Marshall’s, Nordstrom Rack, Old Navy have great sales especially after Father’s Day, so heads up</p>
<p>I’m also headed off to college next fall. I’ll share some of the items on my college shopping wishlist with you guys…sorry it runs kind of long: </p>
<p>-Casual but elegant dresses (for warmer days–Forever21, Charlotte Russe, and the dept stores are good sources for these–think floral, zip-up, or colorblock)</p>
<p>-Gladiator sandals and/or heels (don’t forget nail polish!)</p>
<p>-Dark wash jeans (skinny and boot cut)</p>
<p>-Basic white T’s and colorful tanks for blah days</p>
<p>-Basic denim and khaki shorts (not Bermuda shorts) and capri or boyfriend pants</p>
<p>-Cute lounge wear (think Victoria’s Secret sweatpants, or a sweatshirt from your college student store)</p>
<p>-Black or gray or beige blazer (for chillier days). A typical classy black or dark Northface jacket would work as well.</p>
<p>-Sperries and/or Keds for comfortable yet stylish footwear</p>
<p>These are obviously the more fashionista-ist items; I think the more practical stuff has been covered quite nicely by previous posts.</p>
<p>Buy a lot of basics and invest in some good pieces of clothing so you can mix & match!!!</p>
<p>buy a pair of dark jeans or skinny jeans and cute boots!!! and black tights/leggings spandex…you can wear them like pants with boots and sandals…</p>
<p>OMG GLADIATOR SANDALS <3333 buy a black pair or a gold pair that looks cute!!</p>
<p>Try Macy’s or Forever 21…which is fairly inexpensive!!!</p>
<p>watch out for sales!! (:</p>
<p>and lol u should go shopping more…it’s so fun</p>
<p>soccerstar makes a good point- current styles vary according to local norms
Boat shoes for him.
Hiking books, converse tennies, driving loafers for others</p>
<p>Parents, g’rents-give grads cash for grad gifts. They need to shop for stuff.</p>
<p>lucky 2010, you and I have the exact same mindset! </p>
<p>Thank you all for your suggestions, even though some of them require me to be a bit more stylish than I am comfortable with! I appreciate your additions all the same. </p>
<p>I think I am going to hit up a Target, and I looked for a Plato’s Closet - totally have one! Thanks for the suggestion mflevity!</p>
<p>Go to secondhand stores. Seriously, you can get really good stuff there, and for cheap! I have a bunch of jeans I got at one where I live that were $7-10 each. Shirts generally run $3-10.</p>
<p>Also, search sale racks. Now would be a good time to check them out because the spring stuff is on clearance since the season is changing to summer. Also look again in July when they are starting to clear out the summer stock for the fall stock.</p>
</p>