Summer means its time to break out of the layers and show off a little skin! However, if you aren’t prepared for the heatwave you might find your wardrobe isn’t quite up to par for the sunny rays of summer. For many, this could cause a little panic, especially if you need to quickly create a new summer wardrobe for the entire family. There’s no reason to stress over your summer wardrobe though, especially if you’re on a tight budget. There’s numerous ways you can and your family can rock some hot summer fashions without spending more than a few dollars a piece. These ten tips will help you find new ways to get the clothes you need so you can put back a little extra money for this year’s summer vacation and much needed trips to the pool.
1. Cut Offs
Nothing says summer like a good old pair of cut off jeans. This is probably one of the more simple ways to alter your clothing for the hot summer month. Cut offs are especially great for children who will probably outgrow the length of their pants during the summer months. If you cut the shorts a little longer then they will have ample room to grow during the hot months while still looking fashionable. Adults and teenagers might want to use their worn out jeans for this purpose to that the jeans that still look great can be used when school starts again. If you don’t like the frayed look on your shorts then you can easily make a simple hem with needle and thread or a sewing machine. You could also take them to a tailor for an inexpensive fix that makes your shorts look like a designer pair. Of course, shorts aren’t the only thing you can cut off. In fact, one cool way to add a nice touch to summer is to turn old t-shirts into tank tops. This is great for older clothes too, or clothes you know won’t fit your kids for much longer.
2. Shop Out of Season
Although it might be too late in the season to do a whole lot of low cost shopping, you can still prepare for next year. Usually around August stores will move their summer stock to the clearance section to prepare for the cooler autumn months. This is a great time to stock up on all of the must haves for next season. If you have children you might buy clothes a size to three sizes too big so they have ample room to grow into them during the year. You might also want to buy a few short sleeve signature pieces that can be worn year round. Of course, if you’re looking to save even more money then you may want to wait until the winter months to do your shopping. This tends to be when clothes are reduced significantly as stores are trying to get rid of last years stock for the new trends. This will also give you a better idea as to what size you need to buy for your kids. Shopping online for clearanced items will usually benefit you most, but some local stores might have a pretty good clearance bin.
3. Go Cheap
If you’re in a hurry to find some clothes for summer than shopping cheap should be your main objective. It is always easy to fall into the trendy section, but you should try to shop cheap as often as possible. One way to cut down on the cost is to try to buy items without designs on them. Blank shirts are great for kids during the summer and are usually half of the price of shirts that have designs. You should also consider buying solid colored flip flops. These can usually be purchased for around $1 and will last you for some time. Buying blank items actually allows you to create your own look. You can buy inexpensive cloth paint, rhinestones and other adds on to add to the shirts and flip flops. This will also keep kids busy during the summer, so you won’t have to plan more expensive activities.
4. Yard Sales
Sometimes the budget just doesn’t allow for new summer clothes, but don’t fret yet. Instead, gather up all of last years summer clothes and any other clothes that don’t fit or never get worn. With these items you can have a big yard sale to help earn a little money. This will benefit you in the fact that you’re clearing out a lot of your storage goods that will never be worn while earning some extra spending money. When the sale is over then try to go out and find some inexpensive items that will help get the family through the summer. Of course, you can always surf yard sales in your area for clothes too. You should be able to find some amazing cheap items that will make you and the rest of the family feel incredibly cool this year.
5. Hand Me Downs
Kids tends to grow pretty fast which is why hand me downs have always been so popular. Although kids might not always like hearing the word, hand me downs can make your budget incredibly happy. If you have more than one child make sure to pack up summer clothes for the next sibling so you won’t have to spend a whole lot of money on a whole new wardrobe for each child. You should also try to buy non-gender specific clothes as this will your children feel more comfortable in their older siblings clothes. Of course, you don’t have to stick within your own household when it comes to hand me downs. You may want to ask around to see if friends and family have any summer time clothes that will make your kids cool this summer. You can even use hand me downs for yourself so you won’t have to worry about spending more money. Make sure to return the favor though as the more people willing to share hand me downs, the more variety children will have.
6. Shop Wisely
Shopping on the cheap side of things is always wise, but there are many other techniques that will help you get more for your money. One step you should always take before making any purchase is to consider how many outfits you can get out of a specific article of clothing. If you are going to have a hard time matching it to other clothes then you might want to move on to something else. The more you can match with the item, the more money you’re going to get out of its use. One thing to consider is its color. Bright colors might be fun to wear, but they tend to only go with one or two other articles of clothing which generally means they’ll rarely be worn. Try to stick to neutral colors as they will end up being some of the more useful items in your closet. By choosing easy to match clothes you’ll be saving time planning out your outfit watch morning and won’t have to worry about spending more money to match an item. Another thing you should consider, especially for summer, is the fabric. You’re going to want lighter fabrics that keep you feeling cool while you’re out, rather than thick fabrics that will make you sweaty and uncomfortable.
7. Utilize What You Have
So many of us are guilty of overlooking what we already have in our wardrobe. Rather than running out at the first signs of summer for a hot new look, you should take inventory of what already sits in your closet. Chances are you’re going to have lots of styles that can be utilized in your summer look. One thing you may want to consider doing is pulling out all of your closets contents. Pull out the sweaters, long sleeve shirts and other cold weather friendly clothes and place them in the back of your closet. This should leave you with cooler clothes so you can take inventory of what can actually be worn during the summer. You may be surprised as to how many different tops you have that can be mixed with skirts, shorts and capris for a cool new look. Once you know what you have then you should be able to go out and shop for any extras that might be crucial to your summer.
8. Sales
The great thing about summer is there’s plenty of time for celebration, which means lots and lots of sales. From Memorial Day to the 4th of July you’ll find plenty of sales to help get you the clothes you need for a price that won’t break the bank. Before you go out shopping do a little simple research to find how which one of your favorite stores is having a sale and how big the sale is. Often times, if you wait a little while you’ll be able to take part in an even larger sale, which will save you even more money. Summer is also the time for a whole lot of online stores to put on major sales. Use your shopping skills to seek out which stores are providing you with the best offers. You won’t be disappointed by doing a little research on your goods.
9. Make Your Own
If you are in love with sewing then summer is the best time of the year for you to work on your craft. Of course, if you’re just a beginner then you may also want to start practicing on your skills this summer. Some of the easiest clothes to make are summer time clothes. Simply buy some cheap fabric and a few patters and you’re all set to make your own fashionable clothing. Shorts are one of the easiest projects to start out and won’t take a lot of your time. You should be able to make each family three or four pairs of shorts for under $20, which is a huge amount of savings. You can also create sun dresses, t-shirt, tank tops and button down tops at a price that won’t harm your budget in the slightest.
10. Shop Online
One of the easiest ways to cut down on summer clothing costs is to shop entirely online. This not only makes life a little more convenient but will allow you to look for the best price on a garment without actually having to waste gasoline going from one place to another. A lot of online stores will offer items for cheaper, especially if their store is entirely online. You can also shop big competitors which will offer you a price match if asked for. One of the better things about shopping online is you can easily get a discount for items if you buy in bulk and sometimes you may even qualify for free shipping which means even more savings. Shopping via the internet even allows you to cheaply buy styles that suit that will suit all of your children without having to break the budget, which is great for everyone in the household.
Summer clothing shopping doesn’t have to be a let down all season. With these simple tips you can easily find just what you’re looking for at price you can be proud of. No longer will you have to cut down on the food budget or force kids to wear less than flattering clothes because your budget and time doesn’t allow for new looks. Your kids will be extra thankful as they show off their threads to their friends while feeling amazing in the warm summer sun. With all your savings you may even be able to splurge on that sun hat you’ve had your eye on!
