| Your ski clothing should never have to cost as much | | | | skates, either, or swim in public swimming pools. |
| as your boots or your skis. Quality ski wear doesn't | | | | The best reason for buying used clothing is often our |
| have to break the bank, and you can find | | | | budgets, but that isn't the only reason. Most of us |
| comfortable ski jackets and ski pants at affordable | | | | are not in such bad shape that we can't afford to |
| prices. These tips will help you to save money on ski | | | | buy something new now and then. It just doesn't |
| wear. | | | | make sense to - not when you can buy three or |
| Consider Affordable Brands | | | | four somethings 'new' with the same money and |
| Many brands of ski clothing offer quality design at | | | | have a better choice! |
| affordable prices - however, make sure that your ski | | | | Shopping for used clothing is not at all like shopping at |
| clothing comes from a reputable brand, because you | | | | a retail store, with it's racks of same style clothing in |
| will want ski wear that will hold up well and keep you | | | | limited colors and often in limited sizes. At a used |
| warm and dry during the entire day. There are | | | | clothing store, there's not much telling what you can |
| brands that offer quality ski clothes at affordable | | | | find! People who are unusual sizes often go to big |
| prices. You will still look sharp and stay comfortable in | | | | cities to shop or shop from specialty (read |
| ski jackets and ski pants from Columbia Sportswear, | | | | 'expensive') catalogs, then sell or give away their old |
| LL Bean, and Lands' End. | | | | clothing. People with lots of money (or those who |
| Shop at Outlet Stores | | | | just pretend to have lots of money) often buy |
| Outlet stores offer top-quality, name-brand ski | | | | clothing from several sources and discard "old" |
| clothing at discounted prices. | | | | clothing on a regular basis. |
| Outlet stores offers discounts on brands that | | | | You can be the benefit of that. |
| normally sell their ski clothing at high prices, so there's | | | | Go with a list of what used clothing you need. Look |
| no reason not to shop at outlet stores. These stores | | | | ahead, too, and be alert to good buys on things you'll |
| include Sierra Trading Post and Overstock.com. | | | | need in the future - children's next-size clothing or |
| Buy Versatile Ski Wear | | | | seasonal furnishings, perhaps maternity clothing or |
| Investing in ski clothing that can be used in all types | | | | baby items. |
| of weather is always a good idea. For example, a | | | | Write down clothing and shoe sizes for everyone in |
| fleece jacket can be used as an insulating layer during | | | | your family as well as color and style preferences. Be |
| cold weather, or it can be worn by itself on warm | | | | specific as to what they need. It's not frugal to buy |
| spring days. By purchasing versatile ski clothing, you | | | | a third white shirt for your little boy, especially if he |
| will save money because you won't have to | | | | only wears one a couple of times a year. |
| purchase multiple layers for each type of weather. | | | | You may not find the exact used clothing you're |
| Buy Ski Clothing that You Can Wear for Multiple | | | | looking for the first time you go to a thrift store or |
| Seasons | | | | hit the garage sales, but you will eventually. To get |
| If you invest in quality ski clothing, you can save a lot | | | | the most out of second hand shopping, you need to |
| of money by not having to buy a new ski | | | | go often, but you don't buy anything at all if you |
| "wardrobe" every season. As long as your ski clothes | | | | don't see what you're looking for. You won't save |
| are still in good condition, you can wear your ski | | | | any money if you buy a sackful of junk and things |
| clothing for about two to three seasons. However, | | | | you don't need every time you go, but you won't |
| there are exceptions - some people have purchased | | | | save either, if you miss that perfect dress or baby |
| high-quality ski wear and end up wearing their ski | | | | outfit because you weren't there. |
| clothes for ten years! As long as your ski clothing | | | | If you go used clothing shopping at garage sales |
| stays in good condition and holds up well, there's | | | | especially, wear snugly fitting clothing so you can slip |
| nothing wrong with wearing it for more than one | | | | a shirt on to check the sizes or wrap a skirt around |
| season. However, purchasing quality ski clothing is a | | | | your waist to see if it fits. |
| must for a long life of your ski wear. | | | | Zero in on the garage sales most likely to have what |
| Just remember that if you're conscious about | | | | you want. A garage sale in a retirement community is |
| matching your ski clothes to your skis and you plan | | | | highly unlikely to have children's clothing or toys and a |
| on replacing your skis, purchasing ski wear that is a | | | | community filled with scooters and basketball hoops |
| neutral color (like black or gray) is a good idea. That | | | | very likely won't be selling Grandma's handkerchiefs |
| way, your clothes will match your skis - no matter | | | | with tatted edgings. |
| what color they happen to be. | | | | Pay attention to details, whether you shop at garage |
| Take Advantage of Sales | | | | sales or in a second hand store. Zippers, buttons, |
| Many ski sales have major sales at the end and the | | | | tears, ripped seams and pockets and stains may not |
| beginning of the ski season. It's a good idea to visit | | | | stop you from buying the item, but the seller should |
| your favorite ski store and inquire about sales, as | | | | adjust the price for these problems. Many of them |
| you can save a lot of money on discounted ski | | | | can be fixed easily, but be aware of them before |
| clothing. | | | | you buy and decide whether you want to fix them |
| Consider Used Ski Wear | | | | or not. |
| If you don't mind wearing used clothing, purchasing | | | | Keep an eye out for the occasional sale at a thrift |
| used ski wear is always an option! As long as you | | | | store. That's the time to find material for that quilt |
| make sure that ski clothing you purchase is still in | | | | you want to make, or the rag rug, or to make other |
| good condition, purchasing used ski wear can save | | | | clothing from. It's the time to stock up on undershirts |
| you a lot on money. Consider websites like Ebay for | | | | for cold weather (they don't have to be plain white!) |
| good deals on used or semi-used ski clothes. | | | | and anything else you might need. |
| A lot of frugal folks won't think twice about buying | | | | Most garage sales are held near the end of the week |
| used clothing, from garage sales to thrift stores, but | | | | and/or over the weekend, but it's best to shop the |
| there are some who wouldn't dream of wearing | | | | thrift stores during the week. Weekend crowds in |
| "somebody else's old clothes". | | | | the local Salvation Army or Goodwill store can be |
| There are a couple of reasons people don't want to | | | | pretty heavy and make it hard to look through |
| buy used. One is pride, often known as conceit, as in | | | | everything. |
| "I'm too good to wear used clothing!". These people | | | | Consider the time you spend shopping this way to be |
| often have an awesome array of credit cards, and | | | | an investment. One or two trips, or one or two |
| just as often, not much real money. | | | | stores or garage sales, won't necessarily have the |
| The other is squeamishness. "Eww... wear something | | | | things you're looking for, but the merchandise |
| that once belonged to someone I don't even know?? | | | | changes constantly. Every other week is a good |
| What if they had some awful disease..." These people | | | | schedule for thrift store shopping and a tight fist is |
| also take their own sheets and towels when they | | | | the best policy. |
| travel, not wanting to use those from the motel that | | | | Be sure of the quality of the item and your need for |
| someone else has used before. They never rent | | | | it and you'll win, every time. |