Frugal Fashion Grandma

June 2, 2018

One of my favorite things I’ve always said to my husband over the years is, “It ain’t easy to be beautiful, and it damn sure ain’t cheap.”

You’ve got to cover the gray on top just to color it and then put in the highlights, for starters. Skin care for us “seasoned women” isn’t cheap either and then there’s clothes.

I love to spend money, especially on beautiful clothes. I mean, I am a woman. However, looking back, I wish I had some of the money now that I spent on designer clothes so that I could take a trip to Italy or tour European castles with my wonderful husband. Priorities change as we grow older and you can’t go backwards. However, I did love my designer clothes, especially the really stylish head-turning ones from my cousin’s boutique, Mingles, in Vincennes, IN. My husband hated the “Zoo Suits” he affectionately labeled as they mysteriously disappeared! Just one of the many reasons he now enjoys the title of “Ex!”

Interestingly enough, I learned a life lesson from a wealthy friend. Early every morning we jogged together and discussed everything unthinkable, then went for coffee and donuts and laughed at ourselves. One of those friends you share things with you’ll take to your grave. I hope. She was a beautiful, classy lady who came from a modest background and married well. She could and did shop wherever she wanted. One day she was wearing an adorable pair of shoes I assumed she paid a fortune for. When I commented on how cute they were, she responded that they came from Wal-Mart. When my jaw dropped, her comment was that she didn’t care where things came from if she liked them. Lesson. It’s not what you wear, it’s how you wear it!

We learn as we season, my “love me” word. What seemed like the absolute “must have” when we were in our 20’s and 30’s often seems unimportant as we grow older. Our priorities have changed. Along with our priorities, opportunities have changed. I still enjoy the way designer labels fit, look, present and wear. Unlike the few “outlet” stores we used to have with piles of outdated clothes on tables, we now have stores like Marshalls, Burlington or TJ Maxx, plus nice outlet malls, that have designer labels on racks and even displayed nicely, if you take a little time to look.

My money has to go farther now with seven granddaughters that I love to spoil, and retirement knocking at the door. I can buy a complete outfit, or two, for what I used to spend on one dress. That doesn’t mean that I don’t splurge once in a while, but not without a little guilt and wondering how much more I could have gotten elsewhere for the same money. By making the right choices of where to shop and investing a little time, you can choose quality and quantity. It’s so much more fun to carry-in three big bags of new clothes than one little one! The strange thing is, I’ve discovered it’s a different mindset. I wear the discounted designer clothes more than the ones I paid full price for, plus I don’t feel obligated to keep them for the rest of my life. How great is that?

Why? I’ve slayed that dragon and discovered I’m over it. Yes, I admit I used to belong to that crowd. I no longer have that youthful need to impress anyone with how much I spent on the shoes I’m wearing, mostly myself. The ones that secretly busted my entire budget. If I want to spend an outrageous amount on a designer piece, it’s because it’s something I love and, I want to! But finding those bargains is so much more fun. I’m loving frugal. More for less is better. And when someone asks where I found those adorable shoes I’m wearing, I love to watch their jaw drop when I tell them.

It’s not what you wear dear ladies, it’s how you wear it!

Look at my savings on what I’m wearing here with just a little frugal shopping. The best part, all the compliments! And I didn’t even include the beautiful silver earrings I bought at Sam’s!