Chapter 43: Shopping for Clothes

Describe strategies for finding clothes at reasonable prices.

Calculate the cost per wearing of a garment. Distinguish between clothing fads and classics. Evaluate clothes for fit and quality. Give guidelines for shopping responsibly.

Define:

1. irregulars—items offered for sale that are slightly imperfect.

2. seconds—items offered for sale that have noticeable flaws.

3. markdowns—permanent price reductions on specific items.

4. vintage clothes—garments from a previous era, such as the 1030s or the 1970s.

5. cost per wearing—an estimate of how much you pay for a clothing item per use.

6. classics—clothing styles that stay popular for a long time.

7. fads—clothing styles that remain popular for only a short time.

8. care label—on a clothing item, a sewn-in label that includes care instructions.

Answer the following questions.

1. Assume you live near a department store, a discount store, and an off-price retailer. You want to shop at the one that offers the best selection and prices. How can you tell?

Browse at each one to compare selection and prices.

2. What is the difference between irregulars and seconds?

Irregulars: Have minor flaws that are not noticeable.

Seconds: Have noticeable flaws, such as holes.

3. What are markdowns?

Permanent price reductions.

4. Name three possible sources of used clothes.

  Consignment store Thrift store Garage sale Yard sale Rummage sale Vintage clothing store

5. Would you look for vintage clothes at a rummage sale or a department store? Why?

  Look for them at a rummage sale,

vintage clothing store, or thrift store. Vintage clothes are used.

5. How is cost per wearing calculated?  Garment price + cleaning

costs/estimated number of wearings = cost per wearing

7. Would a wise shopper pay more for classics than fads?

Give an example of each.   A person would wear classics for a

much longer time, lowering the cost per wearing.

Examples: bell-bottom pants, shoulder pads, mini skirts, etc.

8. Why do you need to read the care label to understand the true of cost

of a garment? The type of care required can impact the cost

per wearing and your time. Example: Failing to follow care instructions

can result in a ruined garment. Hand washing takes more time than machine

washing. Dry cleaning costs more than washing and

drying clothes at home.

10. Describe three signs that pants fit properly.

They fit smoothly in hips but allow you to bend and sit comfortably.

Waist is slightly larger than waistline. The bottom of pant leg breaks at top of

shoes.

11. What quality points should you look for when

examining a garment’s seams?

Stitching should be straight and smooth and secured at each end.

12. How can you show responsibility when using a store’s dressing

room?

Keep clothes clean. Remove jewelry that might snag clothes. Remove garments from hangers carefully. Don’t force buttons or zippers. Put back on hangers after trying on. Return to proper place or to salesperson.

9. Name five things you can learn about a garment by reading its hangtags and sewn-in labels.

Brand name Size Warranty Bar code Manufacturer’s name Country where made Fiber content Care instructions