We all want to look great and show off our personality through the clothes that we wear, but for many of us the clothes budget is less than what we want it to be. There are, however, many ways to work around the fashion demand to find clothing that will even surprise us. When it comes to shopping you just need a little know how to stretch your budget and create the wardrobe of your dreams. Whether you hate wearing the same things over and over, or just want to expand you wardrobe choices these ten tips will get your where you want to be for next to nothing. With your savings you will take to the sidewalk as if it were your own fashion runway with your new found wardrobe and pride in yourself.
1. Trade with Friends
One of the great things about having friends is the fact that you can trade with them. If you have a friend that wears close to the same size as you then it might be time to utilize the buddy system with clothing. Between you and a friend, or a group of friends, you might be able to trade off to create a wardrobe you both love. It doesn’t matter if your looking for a long term trade or just something to wear out for the night, this friend trade off agreement will allow you to look like you have an extensive wardrobe without having to pay huge prices for it. This trading system can even work with friends who have much different taste than you, as you will learn different ways to incorporate a variety of clothing that still represents you and your style.
2. Alter new clothes
If you look in your closet often and see clothes that you used to be in love with then it might be time to give your closet a make-over. Take that old pair of jeans, for instance, you can add a few patches from an old top for a vintage style, or even cut them off for a new pair of shorts that will fit your perfectly. The same can be said for old shirts! Cut off the sleeves for a cute muscle top you’ll love working out in, or remove the bottom for sexy belly shirt that will get you dates. There are endless possibilities available in your closet and for no extra charge you can create your own masterpieces that no one else will be able to copy.
3. Thrift Stores
You would be amazed at the amazing finds you can discover at your local thrift shops. Many people tend to avoid thrift shops because they feel they are designed to help people who of lower income. The fact is, thrift stores are typically designed to help a charity with the profits they make from the store. Of course, it is a great way to find cheaper clothing, but it won’t hurt you to shop there either. Thrift stores have a huge selection of pants, work clothing, formal wear and amazing vintage selections that you would have to pay hundreds for elsewhere. To top things off they also sale great jewelry that makes the perfect accessory for just about any occasion. You will love showing off your great finds to your friends and will also love how many items you get for such a small price!
4. Become a DIY diva
One of the best ways to get what you want when it comes to style is to buckle down and make it yourself! Making your own clothes can be a lot of fun, but one of the best benefits is the amount of money you’ll save thanks to your new found hobby. If you venture out to hobby stores, or even shop online, you will notice how cheap it is to find beautiful fabrics that are easy to work with. These fabrics can even be used to make more than one outfit so your savings will stretch even further. If you aren’t ready to design your own clothes then you will fall in love with the low cost of patterns that range from infant to plus size! You will love the how in control you feel over you clothing choices and how much money you aren’t spending in stores!
5. Lose the Brands
Brands are one of the fastest way to drain your clothing budget. Just because clothes have a brand name doesn’t mean the clothing is any better than names that don’t appear with a three figure price tag. There are many clothing lines on the market now that will give you great quality and durability while still providing you will a chic look you’ll love. Stores such as Ross and other factory outlets are designed to provide you will clothes like look great, but won’t break the budget. Stores like these are perfect for shoppers with children who want to look cool at school, but need to stick a reasonable budget. You will find that you can afford up to five outfits that are off brand in comparison to the one pair of brand name jeans.
6. Shop Out of Season
Being an early bird can have its benefits, for instance, you can save hundreds of dollars just by shopping out of season. If you tend to stay the same size throughout the year, then why not shop for your clothing when the season is out. There are many stores that will throw all of last season’s clothing into sales and clearance bins so they can make room for the on season clothing. This is a great time to stock up for the next year, especially since you will be able to get so many outfits for the price of one on season outfit. It is important to take size into consideration, especially with children, but rummaging the off season clothes line can be your ticket to a fabulous wardrobe without the cost. You never know what you’ll find in these bins and sometimes you might be lucky enough to run into something you just can’t live without!
7. Wait for the Sales!
Although it might seem like a struggle at times, waiting for sales can be a great way to keep your clothing budget in check. Start looking for clothes you might love during a holiday season, such as Memorial Day weekend, and wait for the big price drops to hit. Many stores love celebrating holidays with a huge sale event because they know many people will be off work and looking to get their shopping finished. There are also so many sales around back to school dates, which is great for stocking up on your kids clothes, particularly the more expensive items like jeans. Another way to shop the sales rack is to sign up for members benefits with your favorite stores. Many of these stores will send out sales articles or special coupons to their members to encourage shopping dates. Of course, you can always surf your favorite stores for their online sale and clearance bin for deals that you won’t even find in their stores!
8. Always shop around
A lot of times we think we’ve found an amazing deal when truthfully we just haven’t shopped around enough to find a better deal. There are many times that we think that if we don’t buy the item on the spot that there won’t be another chance to do so. It is always best to step back when this happens and think about it a little bit before you commit. If you have a smart phone, maybe do a check for the item in other stores that might carry it. One of the easiest ways to solve the on the spot buying problem is to do your homework before you go out. If you need something research it online and find who has the best deals, that way you won’t be caught off guard for an impulse buy.
9. Multifunctional items make a wardrobe
Functionality is one of the most important parts of a wardrobe. Having clothing that can be used in a variety of different ways is one of the easiest ways to find satisfaction in the clothing one already owns. So, when shopping look for items that can be used with lots of different clothing so you don’t feel as if you are wearing the same clothes over and over. A great pair of trousers, a neutral blazer or a conventional skirt are all perfect items for any wardrobe as you can wear them to work or hanging out with your friends. It is better to spend more money on these items then you would on key items, such as a colored shirt or flashy accessory. If you can find a great item that is also multifunctional on sale then you certainly well on your way to spending your budget wisely.
10. Set the limit
Of course, we can talk about setting a budget and sticking to it when it comes to shopping the budget can slip away quickly. One of the easiest ways to ensure that you’ll stick to your allotted budget is to shop with cash only. Charging clothes can lead to extra cost down the line, which really isn’t sticking to the budget, now is it? Even shopping with a debit card can lead you to spend extra money on items that could take away from your other expenditures. Shopping with cash will ensure that you’re not going to over spend and it will also teach you how to reconsider everything you choose. With this skill you will be able to shop intelligently and will save an even greater about of cash that you can use for a splurge item later on.
Shopping for clothes doesn’t have to be a thorn in your side. When you use these tips you will not only save cash in the long run, but will develop skills that help you become a better shopper in general. You will love how you can maximize your wardrobe and how much you will connect with others over your love of fashion. The best thing is, your wardrobe will grow with items that you would have never have thought of before, which will turn you into a fashionista with a mind for saving.
