From Filene's Basement to Your Friend's Basement: Dress Swapping and Budget Shopping

Let's say you're lucky: you found the skirt that goes with everything on sale at Banana Republic five years ago and it hasn't had coffee/wine/whatever spilled on it. It's a wonderful skirt. You can wear it in class, on a picnic, or to a concert. And then people start to notice you wearing it to every class, picnic, and concert, not to mention every single department event. However, no matter how low your salary or stipend may be, you no longer have to choose between breaking the bank and boring yourself and others with the same outfit.

The answer? Interdisciplinarity. Chances are, for every one of you out there with a Miracle Skirt, there is a woman in another department with a Miracle Dress that's been to a few too many meetings. Trading Miracle Skirt for Miracle Dress enables these items to keep their magic, allowing them to wow in a different environment. Trading clothing (as well as ideas) with friends from other departments is an excellent way to keep your wardrobe fresh without spending any money. Another benefit to consider: if you're trading work clothes, there's a chance that the suit you've just scored may have done the interview circuit before you've even sent out your resume. You and your friends can discuss how well the clothes you're trading performed in various professional situations, i.e. OK for delivering a paper but not for an interview, etc.

Of course, outfit trading does not answer the question of where to find worthy (and inexpensive) outfits to trade. In addition to thrift stores, I can honestly recommend Target, which has surprisingly funky (and yet appropriate) dresses. My favorite, a dark blue number with a cowl neck and some intense side flaring, is so unusual that I heard one salesperson whisper to another "she's actually trying that on!" However, if I can ever bring myself to give it away in a clothing swap, I can honestly say that it was a hit on the conference circuit.

I'd love to hear more suggestions from our readers, though, so please write in and share your shopping on a budget stories.