The Forever 21 Series: Part 1

If you're like me, you step into Forever 21 expecting to buy one or two things and walk out spending at least $50 and one guilty trip more than planned.

Then, on top of that, your clothes start to fall apart 3 washes later. Buttons come undone, shirts get pills, and they stretch out so they no longer fit like when you originally tried them on.

What to do, what to do? This blog post is comprised of two parts: how to shop and stay on budget, and how to spot quality clothes at Forever 21 (yes, they do have them!)

How to shop and stay on budget at F21

1. Have a general idea of what style you want to buy. Ex: sheer tops, ballet flats, peplum top, etc. Be specific. DON'T GO IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT YOU WANT. Pinterest is always there for inspiration.

2. Look it up online. Forever 21 online can be quite daunting, although it has it's advantages: you can browse hundreds of options in 5-10 minutes. If you have an idea of what you are looking for, then you'll have an even better idea of what you want before you step into the battlefield. Pick a few specific pieces to look for before you go shopping.

3. Set a budget. I usually keep mine low, so I can only buy one or two items. I find that if I have a budget nearing $30, it can easily turn into $40, $50, $60 when I step into the store. I try to keep it to $20 0r lower.

4. Don't go near your weak section. For me, it's the jewelry section. I can always justify myself when I find a cute necklace or pair of earrings (it's ONLY $5!) No. Don't do it. You're on a mission, to get a certain something, and stick to that.

5. Try everything on. YES, EVERYTHING. You're less likely to buy more if you try it on first: it might not fit just right, you might not like it on your body type, etc.

6. Exercise self control. If you walk out spending $50 more than you wanted to, you may feel good for a second, but you will probably regret it later. Self control at the checkout feels great! Knowing that you stuck to your budget feels like you've accomplished something, and you can reward yourself later by setting aside some more cash for another shopping trip!

How to buy quality clothes at F21

"Quality" here is a relative term. You won't find the same quality at Forever 21 than you will at Nordstrom or Dillards. Obviously you need to shell out a little (or a lot) more cash if you want top-notch clothing. However, for those of us who want to be stylish on a dime, Forever 21 is the go-to.

Forever 21 has clothing that will last and is cute, however it's necessary to actively seek it out. It will NOT just fall into your lap. Here are some tips on what to look for to find clothes that will last and not disintegrate on you.

1. Avoid the clearance section. AWWW. I know, I know. It was my favorite section too, until I figured out that it's not worth it to pay $6 for a shirt that will completely crap out on me 3 washes later. That's $6 wasted. It is possible to find quality clothing there, but not likely. Usually it's all picked over and you will end up compromising for what you really want.

2. Look for clothing WITHOUT buttons. Every shirt with buttons that I've gotten there has started to fall apart after a few washes. Every. Single. One. Without exception. If you do purchase something with buttons, reinforce them with your own needle and thread before you wear it.

3. Look for clothes with thicker material. So easy this time of year! I'm not saying buy only sweaters. Try to find something with quality material that won't stretch or come apart at the seams. I purchased a gorgeous navy sheer lace top at F21 about 2 years ago, and I had to mend the stitching holding the lace and sheer material together after 2 washes. 2 WASHES! Although I haven't had any problems after I mended the seam.

4. Look for tops with 4% Spandex or higher to avoid stretching over time. See part 2 (coming soon) for how to care for F21 clothing.

5. Buy baggy shirts one size small. They stretch out in the washing machine, especially if they are a thin material.

6. Again, try it on! If it's already falling apart, or it looks like it's just about to fall apart, don't buy it!

Hope this helps! Now you know before you go spend your gift cards at Forever 21! Stay posted for the Forever 21 Series: Part 2.

Photo credit: here.