If you’re adopting a certain style, start small. Say you’re Goth; your mom might refuse to buy you really ornate outfits right away because she thinks this is just going to be a “phase” for you. Choose simple ways to dress Goth in the beginning. Stick to black jeans, black shirts, black jackets, etc. Prove to her over time that this is more than just a phase. Convince her that more elaborate clothing won’t be money wasted.
For example, if she argues that these clothes are too “old” for you, tell her that you’re only growing older; mention things like job- or college-interviews as reasons why you need to look more mature. Or, if you’re talking about clothes for sports, show her why these clothes are better than others;[2] X Research source if they’ll last longer or prevent injury, point that out to her.
There’s nothing wrong with being assertive and honest about what you want.
Improve your chances of getting what you want by including things that you know she won’t buy. Want a bikini that’s a little revealing? Add an even skimpier bikini to your pile. Want something that costs more than she’d like? Find stuff that costs even more than that so what you really want seems cheap in comparison.
Also ask your mom to become a rewards member at the store. This way she may get an even deeper discount when your clothes come on sale. Be patient. If the clothing you want is for summer or winter, wait until the end of the season for the store’s clearance sale. You may have to wait until next summer or winter to wear it, but if you really love it, that shouldn’t matter.
If you don’t have any money of your own, offer to work for it. Volunteer to do extra chores around the house or anything else to make your mom’s life easier. [6] X Research source Pick chores that she knows you hate; that will show her how badly you want those clothes!
If you still have a whole lot of growth spurts ahead of you, think of any younger siblings or cousins who could wear it as a hand-me-down. Convince your mom that it’ll continue to be used even after you outgrow it. Since it’s hard to predict how your body will change, be careful with what clothing you choose. Try on sizes that fit you now for a sense of how a larger size will fit you later on. Don’t buy anything too form-fitting, since it might not fit your form so well in the future.
When you’re looking at other clothes, check the price. If you can find something like it that costs less, go with that. Think of what clothes you already own. Do you still like them? Do they still fit? If you’re still happy with them, tell your mom that you don’t need to buy five or six new shirts just because it’s a new school year. Settle for three or four. Offer to go to a thrift store to shop for the rest. Yes, some people act snotty about buying secondhand clothes, but don’t let that stop you! You can find a lot of cool stuff there that you won’t find anywhere else, which means there’s less chance of everyone at school wearing the exact same thing as you. Plus, lots of people donate clothes they’ve never even worn.
