The average adult aged 25-34 spends more than $150 on clothes each month. While it can be tempting to stay up-to-date on the latest styles and trends, that kind of spending can have serious consequences on your finances over the long term.
It’s easy to get bored with your wardrobe and tired of wearing the same thing. But that feeling of having nothing exciting to wear is what leads to unnecessary shopping and dangerous overspending.
The good news is that it’s possible to have a great wardrobe without having to spend your savings. You just need to know how to dress well on a budget. If you know the tips and tricks to budget shopping, you can get a wardrobe you love at a price you can afford.
Below, we’re sharing 10 tips so you can learn how to build a wardrobe on a budget. Read on to learn more.
1. Sell What You Don’t Wear :
In order to make room in your closet for new items, you should start by getting rid of what you no longer wear or what no longer fits. This can be a difficult process, but it can have a big payoff.
Sort items into two piles. Anything that’s still in good condition can be sold to a consignment store. Your clothes will get a new life and you’ll earn some cash in the process.
In the second pile, put items that are wearable but may not be in perfect condition. These clothes can be donated.
2. Evaluate What You Have :
Determining how to revamp your wardrobe should start with an evaluation of what you currently have and what holes you might need to fill.
For example, if you have a lot of dresses that you wear, you should avoid buying any more.
Even if you see one that you love, pass it over for now. Your money will be better spent on items that you don’t have as much of, like tops or jeans that you can mix and match.
3. Prioritize :
Before you start shopping, think about where you’re going to be wearing the bulk of your new clothes. You may love cut-off jeans or tight party dresses, but if you have a business casual job it doesn’t make sense to stock your wardrobe with clothes you won’t be able to wear often.
You should have a mix of clothes for the office and your personal life. There’s nothing wrong with buying a top or a dress just because you love it. But prioritize where you’re allocating the majority of your budget so you can get the most wear out of new items.
4. Get a Tailor :
Shopping in vintage and consignment stores is a great way to find amazing pieces at discounted prices. Oftentimes, though, the pieces you love and can afford don’t have the best fit.
Find a good tailor and the problem disappears. Buying clothes at discounted prices and paying to have them fit is still more affordable than buying designer clothes or shopping department stores. Plus, the clothes will be made specifically for your body, so you’ll end up looking even better in them.
5. Show Off Your Personality :
There’s no point in figuring out how to redo your wardrobe if you’re just going to end up with the same clothes as everyone else. One of the most exciting things about shopping is when you find something that truly represents you.
A quote that you love printed on a canvas bag is a fun way to add some personality to your wardrobe. A favorite artwork printed on a t-shirt can tell the world a lot about you. If you can find a way to express yourself with the clothes and accessories you love, you’ll feel a lot more excited about your closet.
6. Host a Clothing Swap :
If you’re bored of the clothes in your closet, it’s a safe bet that some of your friends are sick of their clothes too. But one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. The things you may no longer be interested in could be new and exciting for someone else.
Host a clothing swap, and invite your friends to bring over the items they no longer love or wear to be exchanged for someone else’s discards. It’s a chance for you all to get new clothes, without stepping foot in a store.
7. Shop Off-Season :
Planning ahead can be hard, especially when it comes to shopping, but doing so could end up saving you a lot of money. Purchasing items in the off-season–bathing suits in winter or heavy coats in July–is a chance to get items you love at a significant discount.
As best you can anticipate what you’ll need by determining what’s fraying or doesn’t git or is no longer your style. Setting calendar alerts can help you remember to start shopping. You may not think to shop online for bikinis in December, but if you do you’ll be stocked up come July.
8. Say No to the Dress :
When there’s a formal event coming up, most women start shopping for new dresses. But what if, instead of a dress, you went with separates?
A beautiful top and skirt can be just as fancy as a dress, but much more practical. When your event is over, you have pieces that you can mix and match with other items in your wardrobe. A fancy top can be paired with jeans for a stylish look that mixes high-end and low-end. A formal skirt can be worn with a t-shirt for the same effect.
Rather than one outfit, you’ll get endless opportunities to create new looks.
9. Memorize Your Wardrobe :
Before you go shopping for any new items, memorize the clothing you already have in your closet. As you find pieces you like, you’ll be able to test how well they fit in with what you already have.
A simple rule can help you determine if a new piece is worth buying. When you see something you like in the store, try to imagine three things you already own that you could wear it with and three places you could wear it to.
If you can’t leave it behind.
10. Don’t Forget to Accessorize :
Accessories may seem like unnecessary purchases, especially if you’re shopping with a budget.
In reality, though, a necklace or purse, or belt can change the entire look of an outfit.
Rather than investing money in new clothes, you can accessorize the wardrobe you currently have. You’ll be amazed at how the right earring can change the look of an outfit you’ve worn a hundred times, and get you excited to shop your closet again.
Want to Know More About How to Dress Well on a Budget?
Everyone deserves to have clothes that they love and feel great in, but it can be hard when you don’t have a lot of money to spend. Knowing how to dress well on a budget is a great way to ensure you have a closet you not only love but can afford.
For more style and fashion tips, please contact us at any time.
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