What to Wear When You're Broke

Fashion's a breeze when you've got money to blow. But getting that fresh-from-the-runway look gets tricky when you're short on cash. Here's how to look good for less in a material world:

当你手头有富裕的资金购物时，你会掀起一阵时尚购物狂潮。但是，当资金短缺时，购物就不会那么疯狂了。在这样的物质世界里，怎样购买物美价廉的东西呢？

Redefine the word sale 买打折东西要三思

Sounds basic, but to really save a bundle on clothes you have to be willing to pass up enticing promotions (15% off; free shipping; gift with purchase) and hold out for the hard-core sales (40% off is good; 50% and up will land you a buy for almost what it cost the retailer).

你会禁得起打折的诱惑吗？（如比原价降低15%，免费运送，买一赠一等促销活动。）我想大部分人面对促销活动都会忍不住“血拼”。可是过后又后悔，并没有买到称心如意的东西，只是贪便宜，到最后就成了鸡肋。这其实也是一种资金浪费。

Don't stop buying 有需要就买

Counterintuitive? Well, think about dieting and how you pass on sweets and carbs until you binge. Scary, but it can happen with pent-up shopping desires, too (and credit card debt racked up in a binge will end up costing you a fortune). Satiate the fashion lover in you with a very small treat: you set the amount and frequency ($10 a month for new earrings, etc.) Pay with cash.

这会违背你的意愿？嗯，想想你节食的时候，只有狂欢的时候才可以大胆地吃甜食喝碳酸饮料。当你的购物欲望被压抑了很长时间后，在某一天也会突然间爆发的（狂欢之后发现信用卡超支了）。你可以通过小小的满足来释放自己的这种欲望：你可以计划购物的数量和频率（每月买一对10美元的新耳环等）。最好用现金支付。

Shop in season 买过季的衣服

Sure, stuff is cheaper when bought at the end of the season or even out of season. And that's fine if you're just looking for any old thing to wear. But if you love fashion (and you do, or you wouldn't be here), you should shop as close to the season as possible. Otherwise you'll just waste your money on trends that will be out of style by the time the next year rolls around.

当然，季末或过季的东西都很便宜。如果你只是寻找out的衣服穿，在这种季节买衣服最划算。但如果你喜欢时尚，你应该尽可能当季买衣服。否则你只是在浪费。

Swap with pals 与朋友交换衣服穿

Friends that wear your size (and share your taste) are a gold mine. You can even go large scale and organize a swap meet where everyone can switch shoes, clothes, etc.

你可以和那些跟你身材相似，品味相似的朋友们组成一个小团队。在这个团队里你们可以互穿衣服和鞋子等。

Get rid of your inner snob  摆脱你的虚荣心

Scour second-hand and discount stores. Buy basics from the warehouse where you buy your paper towels in bulk. If vintage is your thing, haunt flea markets and garage sales.

逛二手市场或打折商店。一些生活用品最好到批发市场买，买多了可以节省很多钱的。如果你追求优质的衣服，那就去跳蚤市场或旧货出售市场。

Become a do-it-yourself whiz   变成DIY专家

Learn to whip together a new outfit on the sewing machine or simply turn old jeans into a new skirt. Recycling is an easy update: a ruffle on last year's skirt, a bow at the ankle of three-year-old strappy sandals.

学习自己用缝纫机做一套衣服，或者把旧牛仔裤做成一条新裙子。旧衣服通过DIY，就可以变成很潮的衣服:比如去年的裙子有褶了，就可以当做百褶裙穿；穿了三年的系带凉鞋不要扔，在脚踝部添一个蝴蝶结，又会变成一双新的凉鞋。

（听力课堂网kris翻译）