What’s the best value clothes for summer this year?
Summer is officially here. It’s hot, it’s sunny and the sky is a pretty shade of blue. I’ve officially out my winter clothes in an unattended drawer and can sigh with relief as I throw out my multitude of laddered stockings, vowing to start afresh next year.
Summer brings with it sarongs, thongs and (if you are lucky and don’t have my Irish skin) a tan. But if you’ve got a limited budget and need one thing to freshen up your wardrobe, what is the essential cheap purchase to celebrate the best months of the year?
Winner
Sunglasses
Clothes are of no importance when if comes to the joy and wonder of a pair of sunnies. You can wear them with any outfit, and they will also save you significant amounts of money on Panadol (as you won’t have to buy any because, with sunnies, you can avoid the glare migraine) and eye surgery later on.
They’re also relatively inexpensive. You pay a commensurate price to the quality, but you can pick up a pair that’s relatively decent for under $20. They also brighten up your wardrobe should you be so inclined, with this year’s pick being the heart-shaped pink sunglasses from Equip for $12 and my fake Raybans which I picked up for $5 overseas.
Runner-up
A hat. No matter how much I yearn, I will never have skin suited to the Australian climate. In the lucky instances when I don’t burn, I tend to freckle, and I dare to suggest that neither is very hot. The quickest way to save on yearly skin cancer removal surgery is to cover up and slap on sunscreen.
A hat will keep you cool and will stop you’re face burning up. Think about it this way- you’ll save on Botox in the years to come if you buy a hat now. Big floppy ones work a treat, especially when teamed with heartshaped sunglasses.
Honourable mentions
Thongs
A bit hard to ignore in the essential summer wardrobe department, pick up $5 pairs from Cotton On and get out there. Not only are thongs cost-effective, but they save on valuable time that could otherwise be spent undoing shoelaces. There’s no need to spend any money on them, as you will inevitably lose one in the sand/ surf/ river/ music festival.
A rash shirt
I am getting deeply into the uncool territory here, but why not make a concession to the amount you’ll spend on Aloe Vera to cure your sunburn, and instead invest the money on a rash shirt? They’re not hot, but surfies wear them and I would rather look like Layne Beachley than like the multitude of Lobster Brits that crowd Bondi every summer. Kmart and Target have these every year for a pittance.
A sarong
I deeply resent having to spend $30 on a piece of cloth that I know probably only cost $5 to make, so this year, I’m making my own sarong. I’m following the guide on e-how. I plan to tie-dye mine, and will probably not wear anything else all summer.
Let’s admit it; the greatest thing about summer is wearing the same board shorts and singlet every day. The only other essential purchases are sunscreen, a water bottle and maybe a discarded Dan Brown and you are on your way to the perfect Australian summer.
What cheap clothes item is your essential for summer?
Drop us a line and share your summer saving tips!
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