Today I'mma be going on a massive Cospunk shopping spree at my local mall in Ocean County. With a set budget, a camera, and a notebook, I'mma be roaming around each store and trying to piece together the perfect Cospunk creations. Why not follow me on the journey and use this for your future Cospunking trips as well?
~~~~~Before You Leave, Things to Consider~~~~~
1. Budget
In this day and age, it's stupid to just go with card-in-hand and blindly spend. Since clothing can be expensive, I advise taking a set money out of the bank and putting it into separate envelopes, based on what you want to buy. For example, I'm probably bringing $500(Though I'm pretty sure I'm not going to spend it all, It's the perfect amount to divvy up into four sections.) The sections:
1. Skirts/Pants- $125
2. Shoes/Accessories- $125
3. Shirts/Dresses- $125
4.Misc. $125
The misc envelope is in case I see something that isn't Cospunk or clothing that I may need, plus gas money, plus food money.
2. Look Through Your Closet/Dresser
On a shopping trip this big, you want to make sure you don't overbuy on a certain thing, and see what you really need in your wardrobe. You have 40+ Tshirts? Don't buy any. Lacking more dressy clothes, not enough colour? Look for those instead. I'd make a list of what you're searching for(Then again, I am the king of lists XD), just in case.
For my trip, I'm mainly searching for more summery stuff- Tank tops, shorts/skirts, more colourful stuff. But, since I'm also going to a Steampunk event with my friends in May, I'm looking for some darker, elegant, steampunk-esque clothing and accessories. I have enough ties and neck accessories, so I'm mostly looking for clip-on hats, headbands, etc. in terms of accessories. I also really need a pair of boots and maybe a new pair of sneakers.
3.What to wear AT a shopping trip
I always screw myself over with this whenever I go on an unplanned trip, because Cospunking involves a ton of layering. When I have to try something on, especially a shirt, I'm always taking off 5 things before I can get the one thing on. Try to wear as little as you can while still staying cospunk, like a dress and skinny jeans or something like that. Here's what I'm wearing:
Just enough to be Cospunk, but only two layers and barely any accessories.
4.Wigs
Trying clothes on is a bit difficult with a wig on, but if you wear a wig on a daily basis, bring the wig you use most(or that you want to coordinate with more outfits) in its bag and try it on with the clothing you try on. Make sure you bring a comb of some sort. I'm bringing my Choco-strawberry wig and possibly my electric blue wig as well, while just wearing my hair down for today.
Other Things To Bring
In my messenger bag I usually put my camera, batteries, and a spare accessory in one of the outer pockets, since the two wigs will be going in there. As far as where to place each envelope, I'd say put them all in one Ziplock bag and put it with the camera if there's room.
So now you know what to do, and I'm all set to go. Now here's the fun part, shopping! For the purpose of this blog I'mma be taking pictures of all that I try on, state the store and the price, whether or not I bought it, and write down how much money I'm left with after each transaction(for each envelope). Some things I might try on with a wig, others regularly. I might end up wearing my wig within the middle of the shopping trip for the lols, too. XD And if I think of any other tips, you'll be the first to hear it.
Also, as a little game for myself, I'mma be asking the store clerks how old I am. =w=
Save Blog- 11:33am EST
Get to the Mall- 1:15 pm EST
Sears
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Grand total spent in first SEARS trip: 21.98
Claire's
I just have to say this is by far my favourite accessory store, and the first wig-switch of the day. XD I went in there with my hat on and hair down, but then quickly changed into my Choco-strawberry wig when I found these accessories(All these pics were taken at home, though =w=).
I bought a fourth hair accessory, a clip-on-hat, for my electric blue wig at $14.50.
I also bought a tie in this trip, but I'mma wait to show you that =w= I bought it for $8.50.
Accessory total for first Claire's trip: 35.99
Break From Cospinking..
At Claire's, being a Monster High doll collector, I found Jinafire Long from the Scaris:City of Frights collectiong and swooped her up without a second thought, being my first $25 out of my Misc. envelope. =w=
Justice
Formerly known as Limited Too, this is a kids'(specifically girls 16 and under) store. That don't stop this 19 year old nopenope. I still fit in size 14-16 clothes, 12s if I'm lucky. XD I still had my choco-strawberry wig on as I went into the store. Also, everything in the store was 40 percent off.
Grand total for Justice trip: 55.49. I saved $54.8, which means if not for the sale, I would have spend over $100.
Break from Cospunking..
After Justice, on my way to Hot Topic, I spotted the Build-a-Bear workshop and immediately went in to make mahself a..
Hot Topic
Here's where I made my second hair-change, into my electric blue wig. And where the Punk part of Cospunk comes into play =w=
A unique Garter skirt for 26.50.The colour will go with alot, and the style is different enough to make any casual outfit turn Cospunk.
Grand total: $82.63
Plus 3 misc. MLP buttons at 1.99 a piece and another pack of hair clips for 8.97, being a total of 15.99.
Payless
I was in desperate need of work shoes, so I bought a simple pair of Airwalk sneakers for 9.99(originally 24.99, on sale) that I didn't take a picture of.
BUT.
I then found these for 19.99 and snagged em-
5・７・９
I normally never go into this store, but there was a dress that caught my eye that I desperately needed to try on. Glad I did too, because this $18.60 dress(originally $24.80) fit like a charm.
Grand total: $31.20, saving $10.40
On the way back to Sears..
~Got a coffee and a cake pop for around 5 bucks
~ Monster High Magazine at FYE for $5
~Stopped back into Claire's and bought these babies:
Grand total: roughly $26
Sears Part 2
Didn't take pictures, but I bought 2 swimsuits =w= spending a total of 47.98.
~~~~~~~Counting My Envelopes, I had remaining..~~~~~~~~~
Misc- $2
Accessories- $28
Tops- $27
Bottoms- $30
Total- $87
Thus meaning I spent-
Misc- $123
Accessories- $97
Tops- $98
Bottoms- $95
Total- $413
If I didn't hit all those sales, I would have spent at least another hundred. It pays to look for sales!
