Cheap Chic: Staying stylish and keeping warm in the winter
Brooke Bigda
Comment Columnist

It seems like winter is never going to end with all the snow we’re getting. The great thing about the weather is the major savings you’ll get when buying winter accessories.
Retail stores have already been stocking up on spring/summer items, including shorts, sandals, and even bathing suits. Which means that they are putting all the winter items on sale, and with all the snow we’ve been getting, this is the perfect time to stock up and save.
The key to finding the best accessories is to shop at stores where they guarantee high quality products, but at low prices. It’s absolutely pointless to buy an extremely expensive item that doesn’t deliver the results you want.
Stores like The Burlington Coat Factory, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls normally sells designer clothes at half the cost, but now that the season is coming to an end, they are forced to lower the prices even more. This is absolutely necessary for them to make sure that they sell all of their products.
It’s also important to do some research before going out to shop. Reviews online are perfect to learn about products before you buy them.
Go to your favorite store’s online shop and browse. If you see something that catches your eye, look to see if there are any reviews on the item or the designer. This is a great research method to discover the designers who creates trendy pieces that will be apart of your seasonal wardrobe for years.
My advice to you is to not purchase these items online, unless it’s absolutely necessary. A picture on the screen isn’t going to guarantee the quality of the piece you’re buying. It’s like looking at a painting: looking at a picture of it doesn’t do it justice.
Unless you have purchased from the store or the brand before, it’s better off to just go to the store and check it out for yourself. That way you can see if it’s really worth buying.
If you are planning to shop online, just make sure to look for the product description and reviews. That way you’ll know what to expect when your order arrives.
My experiences with this method works well. I got this amazing Calvin Klein beanie at T.J. Maxx for only $14, from the original price of around $40. It was really the perfect buy.
Not only did I get a great deal, I also know that I could trust the store and the designer to provide items that I know are worth the cost. These stores also sells amazing brands such as Michael Kors, Coach, Marc Jacobs, and more.
Besides retail stores, go to small business and consignment shops. Like the retail stores, they are putting sales on winter items that haven’t sold yet, but you’ll have even more savings on all the accessories you’ll need.
For all the fashionistas that love to save, I recommend going to The Hidden Treasure Consignment shop. This adorable boutique sells quality, brand name items at low prices and is actually right up the street from BSU.
With the price cuts and cold weather coming, now is the perfect time to buy winter accessories. Plus, you can stock up on even more items and be ready for next winter. Hopefully it won’t be as harsh as this one. Stay warm everyone.
Brooke Bigda is a Comment Columnist. Follow her on Twitter at @bbiggs900.