If your primary wardrobe staples are yoga pants and tee shirts, you might feel ready to revamp your style and fill your closet with timeless fashion choices. However, it can be a big challenge to find fashionable clothing to fit your budget. To avoid breaking the bank but still look fabulous, consider these tips for dressing well on a limited budget.
Wait for Sales
When you shop for in-season clothes, you’ll pay a price for it. Instead of updating your wardrobe all at one time, take your time and shop around for good deals. It’s never truly worth it to buy clothes when they’re at their peak price tag, and you can find the same clothes for a steal just by waiting longer to fill your shopping cart. For example, buy summer clothes in the fall and winter wear in the summer to avoid paying full price for quality pieces of clothing.
Find a Tailor
If you’ve found a steal of a deal on fashionable clothing that are just a few sizes too big, don’t let that deter you from purchasing the clothes of your dreams. When you find a good tailor, you’ll be able to buy gorgeous clothes for a reasonable price and still look fabulous. While a tailor’s services can be a bit expensive, it’s often well worth the price of saving money on the latest trends.
Mix and Match Pieces
When you’re working on a strict budget, it can be hard to find enough quality pieces of clothing to wear every day. However, you can easily find pieces that mix and match well for maximum fashion on a minimal budget. A few staples like dark wash jeans, a colorful blouse, and a pencil skirt are ideal to have in your closet. These must-have clothing essentials pair well with many options, so you’ll never run out of choices even though your closet isn’t full to the brim.
Know Where to Shop
If you have high fashion tastes but you’re trying to conserve cash, never be afraid to try out new options. You never know which new stores will have a surprisingly chic selection, so be adventurous and give other stores a chance. Many online stores like tobi are able to offer high fashion clothing for fair prices. When you need to stock up on cute dresses and shoes, Tobi has a great selection available for reasonable prices.
Avoid Over-Washing Clothes
Being clean and hygienic is important, but many Americans tend to over-wash their clothing. If you’re washing your favorite pair of jeans after each wear, you’ll likely need to purchase a new pair of jeans sooner rather than later. To help your clothing last for years to come, pay special attention to the washing instructions and be judicious with your washing schedule.
Only Buy Clothes That You’ll Wear
We’re all guilty of doing this from time to time, but make an effort to avoid making impulse buys that you’ll rarely (or never) wear. When you’re trying to build up your wardrobe with useful choices that will serve you well on a variety of occasions, keep your clothing choices simple and practical. It can be fun to be a little spontaneous and splurge on a dress that’s wildly out of your comfort zone, but if you have a feeling it will just sit in your closet for months, do your wallet a favor and keep on walking by.
Shop at Thrift Stores
If you’re looking for cheap clothes that will fit your sense of style, never pass up an opportunity to visit a thrift store. On days when you have plenty of time off to spend in any way you’d like, going to a local thrift store can turn up amazing finds if you have a little patience. While not every trip to the discount store will be fruitful, keep at it and see if you can find suggestions online about where to look. Some thrift stores have a reputation for offering high-end clothes for incredibly low prices.
Save Up for Splurges
For those with a need for high fashion clothing, it’s okay to splurge from time to time. Even when you’re trying to save money for other life expenses, it can be a big motivator to spend on fun items like that pair of pumps you’ve been eyeing for months. When you see items that you know you’ll regret not having in your closet, discipline yourself to save up and grant yourself one splurge every few months.
*Collaborative post
Ana De Jesus says
I used to use Depop before I started working with brands and it really helped me get great clothes on a budget. I agree that shopping in the sales helps as well x
Karlyn Cruz says
Such a great post! Finally, realize that your true value does not come from your amazing new jeans or that awesome necklace. I grew up in the country, and no one had very nice clothing. No one cared so much because no one had too much
Katrina gehman says
i love thrift stores. when i was loosing weight (130 pounds), i shopped there all the time as it didn’t make sense to buy new when i wouldn’t wear it long.
Echo (The Mad Mommy) says
These are great tips! I buy, pretty much, everything on clearance or second hand!
Anosa says
Thanks and yes my mum used to do that too
Lindsey says
I love a thrift store, you can always find little gems, gems that are even still in season too.
Nichole Freeman says
These are good ideas. I need a good tailor for alterations.
Marceline Dementori says
I have very few clothes, at least that’s how I feel compared to the women in my life, lol. I think it’s all about how you style them! These are all awesome tips!
Coralie says
I love getting new clothes, but it is expensive when I have four kids to also get clothes for. This is great tips. Thanks!
Maria Magdalena LimeLeaves says
Nice tips. I make my own clothing, since I am in XL size and living in a remote area. I also have bad experience when bought clothing from online store.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
I love these tips. They are really going to help save you some money and still be fashionable. I love the tip about only buying the clothes you will wear. I am guilty of buying on impulse, just because I liked the design but then there is nothing I can pair it with, so I have to go and get other pieces!
Emma - Our Fairytale Adventure says
I am always buying new jeans. As a mum it’s difficult not to wash them after every wash when my toddler smoosh banana onto them every day! I need to pay more attention to sales.
Anosa says
It can be difficult with kids around hence why the sales are always a good place to check atleast they are affordable
Musings of a tired mummy...zzz says
Great advice, I love a bargain! I am definitely guilty of buying things and not wearing them 🙁
Anosa says
You and half the world population but we still love a good bargain don’t we?
Terri Ramsey Beavers says
I’m a bargain shopper myself. I’m going to use all of your tips to buy my clothes on a budget.
Anosa says
Glad to hear it and good luck, its addictive
Ana De Jesus says
I always look in the sales or if I desperately want something I save up. Depop is a good way to save money x
Anosa says
Not familiar with Depop but will check it out. It’s always a nice idea to save up
Boo Roo and Tigger Too says
I’m always good at finding sale bargains for the children but always forget to look for myself
Anosa says
I think 90% of my mummy friends say that to me
Kat says
Agree with all of these wholeheartedly! I am the queen of sales shopping! I’ll have to check out Tobi, too! Thanks for the tip!
Kat x
Anosa says
You’re most welcome, I too am the queen of shopping the sales. It’s fun
Lyndsey O'Halloran says
I shop in the sales but then I also think I buy more than what I want
Anosa says
Hahahaha I think we are all guilty of that sometimes
tara pittman says
I love thrift stores for my clothes. I always seem to find such great deals.
Anosa says
Oh I do too, I was never good at it before until I spent more time doing it with my mother
Stella Kashmoney says
Fab tips. I buy most of my pieces in the sales.
Anosa says
Thanks, I do the same too. I love a good sale
Elizabeth says
Thrift stores are my go-to place for new clothes. I love the variety of stuff available there.
Anosa says
I too love a good thrift store