Canna Campbell knows a thing or two about saving a buck.
The author, financial planner and founder of SugarMammaTV has for years been sharing all her hacks for saving money and shopping smarter – and those handy tips extend to the fashion world as well.
Something Canna's 70,000+ followers on social media love to see is Canna's realistic 'get ready with me' videos. They often provide a no-nonsense guide to styling and how not to break the bank on clothes and accessories.
This week as a co-host on Mamamia's What Are You Wearing, Canna shared all her tips and tricks. And it's pretty timely considering the rising cost of living right now across not only Australia, but the globe.
For Canna, she said her style now is "classic, timeless and feminine" – and after becoming a mum, Canna said her style and fashion priorities have changed drastically.
"Those tight little miniskirts and high heels have evolved. And with COVID, it's shifted. I need clothes that can go in the washing machine, and clothes that need minimal ironing. It's a lot more casual now – I've had to embrace comfort, simplicity and machine-washable fabrics," she said.
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Practicality isn't the only essential when it comes to fashion for Canna – it's also about sticking to a budget. For her, she reviews clothes based on a category she devised: financially friendly capsule fashion.
"It's about taking the process and journey of mindfully curating your style and your wardrobe. It's about stopping and taking the time to look at what you love wearing, what makes you feel good and what styles and cuts you admire and embrace," Canna said on What Are You Wearing.
She said another major factor is acknowledging your lifestyle – because for many of us, there's not much point in buying a dozen party dresses when those sorts of occasions don't arise constantly.
"Look at good quality pieces that really stand the test of time. Have a few staples and investment pieces – if that's what's important to you. Investment pieces doesn't mean spending a huge amount of money. I'm a huge fan of pre-loved and selling my clothes and accessories for the circular economy."
The circular economy is considered a solution framework that aims to tackle global challenges like climate change, waste, and pollution in the fashion industry. It isn't about fast fashion and fad one-hot-minute trends. Instead, it's about reusing, recycling and focusing on not throwing out our clothes constantly into landfill.
And the easiest way to do this is to invest in good quality staples and capsule items – as these will then last much longer and means you don't have to keep buying cheap (and often lower quality) pairs of that item multiple times a year.
"Good quality pieces become old gems. They are the blue-chip industrial stock of your wardrobe portfolio. I love a beautiful handbag. For me personally, I think it elevates a look. I could be wearing jeans, sneaker and a t-shirt looking casual, and I can get a loud handbag that's beautifully made and it totally changes the dynamic and energy of my outfit," Canna said.
For those who aren't so much bag people, Canna said investing in pieces like a staple coat and some good sneakers.
As for items not to blow the bank on and go down the more affordable route – t-shirts and jeans.
"It's about highs and lows, having a mixture in your wardrobe. It has taken me a while to figure it out and know to spend there or save your pennies and buy somewhere else instead."
When it comes to buying designer, Canna said she mainly just spends her money on luxury handbags rather than clothes, as a bag has more chance of lasting longer.
"I set aside some financial and personal goals for myself at the start of each year. And if I achieve those goals – only if – then I will reward myself with a handbag. It's not a no-no to reward yourself!"
But there's a financially smart way to do this, if you are so inclined. And it comes down to setting a small amount of money aside throughout the year to put towards a big purchase.
"Save up during the year. Factor into your budget a certain amount of money per month that allows you to include clothing, shoes and accessory purchases. I don't necessarily spend that each month or spend that amount of money each month – but whatever money I don't spend that month on fashion, I roll over to the next month."
"I would never go and buy a handbag or anything on credit card and not pay it off when it's due. In fact, if I do use my credit card it's to collect points. I never owe anything – that's very responsible."
On this topic, Canna said she isn't 'anti debt', nor should debt be considered a dirty word. Rather, it's about being responsible.
"There are two types of debt: toxic debt which is not tax deductible and based on items that depreciate in value. That's the worst type of debt such as credit card loans, car loans and personal loans. You want to try and minimise that as much as possible. Healthy debt is borrowing money to build up a share portfolio or an investment portfolio. It's productive wealth."
So when it comes to credit cards and 'Buy Now Pay Later', they are technically in that toxic debt category, but when used responsibly, there's no problem.
"It's all about using it to your advantage. Making sure that if you use a credit card, you pay it off the moment it is due. You obviously have a limit on a credit card, and I also don't recommend having multiple credit cards, because that can often be the catalyst that gets a lot of people into trouble," Canna said.
So if you're going to pay later, don't be tardy!
"Buy Now Pay Later probably gets the worse PR spin in the financial world. Assuming you use it responsibly, it's not a problem. When you get into trouble is when you use multiple providers, have multiple purchases going on at the same time, and you're not making those repayments in full."
Of course, having a passion for fashion can come with a hefty price tag sometimes. We all love a spendy bag or shoe, but with that in mind, there are a few ways we can all find a bargain and indulge without spending an entire paycheck in one go.
Listen to Canna Campbell on What Are You Wearing? Post continues after audio.
"If it's a high-end purchase, I will do my research. I will analyse every single person who has worn it – not for the person, but how they've styled it so that I know when I'm going to purchase, I'll have maximum wear," Canna explained on What Are You Wearing?
"Shopping around online, looking for discount codes as well – that can save someone a lot of money. There's a plug-in you can install on your browser as well that scans for discounts. And I'll also use websites where you can get back a commission based on your own shopping. There are a few websites out there, like Cashback, and I'll type in retailers like Witchery. It will come up with a 'five per cent cash back, click here' and then I'll use that."
Even keeping an eye on special promotions is a winning move. Because all is fair in the world of fashion and shopping!
You can follow Canna Campbell on Instagram, and can see more from SugarMammaTV here.
Feature Image: Mamamia/Instagram @cannacampbellofficial.
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