THRIFT SERIES|| FIVE MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE WHEN SHOPPING

 

Hey Lovelies!!!

How are you? How's your week going?

 

I'm so stocked, Fashion week is upon us.

Can I get a Fashionluyah, Who else is excited?

 

My first ever fashion week experience *inserts dancing emoji*unfortunately I won't be attending all the days because of work but I intend to make the few days count. I'm yet to decide on what I'll be wearing but who cares? I'm going to be winging it as usual.

 

So a few weeks back, I mentioned here that I'll be starting a series on the blog called the Thrift Series, where a few of your favorite fashion and style bloggers would be sharing their thrift tales, shopping tips and a whole lot more.

 

I pitched my idea to a few bloggers and they were so happy to assist me with this.

 

For the first post on this series, Ijenna of Miralabelle.com would be sharing five mistakes that we tend to make while shopping.

 

Lets get started.

 

As I type this, a series of all the shopping mistakes I've ever made are continuously flashing through my mind. Some of them are in plain sight or sitting in my wardrobe but you know, it's life. We make mistakes we learn and come out as experts on the topic.

If that's the case, with so many mistakes in my past, I think I'm a little too qualified to take this topic.

Here are a few specific mistakes I make that you might be making too.

• Buy the first thing you stumble upon

To be honest, I still do this. When I find a piece that I'm convinced I'm in love with there's no turning back. Like I just have those shoes or that dress.

 

But the thing is, I miss out on other opportunities. There could have been a better and cheaper blouse and instead of it going home with me, someone else stumbles on it.

 

I really don't consider this a mistake but it is. Looking elsewhere would mean walking away which will mean the seller would realize that you would be unaffected if you don't buy it which will then lead to said seller reducing the prize.

 

I know all of this, yet I still hardly ever walk away (bad Ijenna). An example is this dress I wore to a bloggers brunch.

It was priced at 1000 naira and could have gone lower but I just wanted to buy something and go home and also I was so hungry that day.
 

 

• Buy stuff that would need altering, fixing or what I like to call "growing into"*Lol*

Chances are these items would never get fixed. If they don't fit, pls don't buy it and yet I still do (bad Ijenna).  Well, at least I don't buy oversized shoes anymore.

 

There was a time, I was still very obsessed with purple. I can recall vividly, I was sixteen and I had 3000 naira. There were these beautiful purple sneakers that I just had to have (covers face) My shoe size is a 38, the shoes were 39 but they felt way bigger. Somehow, I convinced myself that my feet would eventually "grow" into them, wrong choice. I wore the shoes just once and I sincerely don't know what happened to them. I probably gave them out or something.

 

So that zipper that you'll fix, the patch you claim could be easily repaired would probably make that dress sit in your wardrobe for a very long time that will make you regret that buy.

 

This is not always the case though, as long as you fix the item immediately but still I advise against it.
 

 

• Go to the market that you're unfamiliar with.

I'm constantly looking out for places that offer good deals which explains why I like to thrift.  When thrifting it is important to know your way around the market, trust me this is key. You would know when and where to get good deals, you would probably have "customers" that would sell cheap stuff to you.

 

I remember when I first went to Ketu market, that time I was used to shopping in Benin Republic markets and really had no further experience. The sellers tried to sell stuff at a really high price( far higher than Yaba market which could be pricey sometimes). I was like Nope, not coming back again.

 

I ended up buying nothing. Until the next time, I was around Ketu and I was rushing through late in the evening that I heard a woman calling dressing for 100 naira, I was like WHAT??!!!!!

 

 

Quality dresses too, like the one above. Other days, people still call outrageous prices at Ketu market but the best time is in the evening. Knowledge is power.
 

 

• Dismiss second thoughts

This one I do not do. I learnt the hard way, repeatedly.

 

Like, I'm not even sure what instance to bring up. Let's make up an abstract.

 

So you know how you see a vintage top and you like oversized shirts but this one is a little snug but it's vintage and it fits your retro style but it doesn't really go with practical items in your wardrobe. Still, it's vintage and look how cool the print is but the print is slightly out of your comfort zone but it's vintage and it gives you really awesome vibes, retro kid reinvented #sold.

 

*Three years later*

Why haven't I worn this shirt, ever? Maybe I should wear it today.

 

*Tries it on*

Nah.

 

*Throws it back in the closet* picks up another shirt.

 

This scenario repeats itself until you finally give the shirt out.

Long story short, If you are unsure about a particular piece of clothing don't bother. Even if your 5 friends are encouraging you, telling you it's a great buy. Guess what? I have been there, done that and I've too many clothes to show for it.

• Over Bargain

So you know how when bargaining, you're supposed to start at the lowest price possible? Yeah, I tend to over do it sometimes.

 

I would have a set price in my mind and would refuse adamantly to go higher. Even if I really love those cobalt blue shoes and already see myself in them strutting to class or on my Instagram as a flatlay.

 

The thing with bargaining is knowing when to give in. There are sellers that wont budge especially if they feel the profit isn't reasonable.

 

I honestly still see those cobalt blue shoes and its been 4 years.


P.S- If you would like to share your own story or write a post for this series, Pls send me an email or Dm.

 

 

What are the few mistakes you have made while shopping? Pls share

Can you recommend any useful shopping tip?

 

 

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Previous posts

- 15 Random facts about me + a giveaway announcement

- Style|| A lil skin and some truth

- Weekend bits + a blogger recognition award



                          Do enjoy the rest of your week

                                                                                            XOXO.