10 Tips for Being Fashionable on a Budget

10 Tips for Being Fashionable on a Budget

I love to shop and add new pieces to my wardrobe, but I also need to be aware of my clothing budget. Instead of going all out and blowing my entire budget in one shopping trip, I find that it helps to follow a few of these tips when I want to go shopping.

It’s still possible to look stylish and well put together without using credit cards or spending all of your money.

Everyone has their idea of a clothing budget. Some people have a larger budget than others. But, by following a few of these tips for being fashionable on a budget, you’ll be able to save money while putting together a fashionable wardrobe.

Buy classics

Stick with classic colors and styles. Basic black will always be in style. Go for black, khaki, navy, and dark brown as your primary fashion colors.

It works well for pants, skirts, dresses, and jackets. These colors easily match other colors when you put an outfit together.

Accent with trendy pieces

Accent with the “in” colors. Maybe neon pink is the in color right now, but that doesn’t mean it needs to dominate your wardrobe.

Try a scarf, belt, or even a cotton top in a fashionable color and pair it with one of the classic pieces from your wardrobe.

Machine washable fabrics

Buy machine-washable fabrics. Dry cleaning costs can add up even if you do it at home. Stick with machine washable or, at the very least, hand washable fabrics to save on your clothing care costs.

Shop Clearance

Shop on sales and clearance. If you need to add a new piece to your wardrobe, make sure you buy by paying attention to the sales, and always check out the clearance racks at the back of the store to see if there’s anything there you can use.

Sign up for mailing lists

Sign up for your favorite store’s mailing lists. If you’re totally in love with Nordstrom, sign up for their mailing list to know when to find the best deals. Sometimes stores have member-only savings opportunities.

Quality not quantity

Buy quality, not quantity. While a $50 purse may be cheaper than a $150 one, chances are it won’t last near as long. It’s better to have one very well-made item than three cheap imitations that fall apart and show their wear.

Shop second hand

Check second-hand options. While it takes perseverance, you can find quality clothing at a fraction of the retail price at consignment stores. If you look for classic styles, it’s possible to pick up some beautiful pieces secondhand.

Don’t overbuy

You want to have what you need, but you don’t want to waste your money on too many of one item at the expense of another. Decide how many cotton shirts you need and how many pairs of jeans.

Buy what you need and use the remainder of your money on something else or a particular accessory to dress up an existing outfit.

Try it on

Always try on clothing before you buy it. You may “know” you always wear a specific size, but if you buy it without trying it on, you risk losing the receipt and being unable to return it for the correct size. It only takes a moment to try something on.

Go outlet shopping

Check out outlet shopping & off-brand stores like TJ Maxx for real deals. You won’t find everything in every size, like consignment stores, but careful shopping can get you great deals.

Do you have any tips for being fashionable on a budget?

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