Even though it might seem impossible at times, being fashionable and up-to-date in your wardrobe doesn’t have to break your bank.
I love being thrifty when I’m shopping. Putting together an affordable wardrobe probably won’t happen all at once. Saving money often means being patient, and creative. But with some patience and a little time, you can put together a cute wardrobe without going bankrupt!
Want some inspiration?
Here’s a few tips for building a Fashionable and affordable Wardrobe.
Use what you have in your closet first.
Take everything out of the closet and give it a good going over. You may be surprised at how many things actually go well together than you may not have thought to combine!
More likely than not, you already have some pieces in your closet that you love. Think of ways you can build on those pieces first.
It’s also likely that you have a few pieces in there that you like but can’t wear. You might be surprised at how easy it could be to alter or dressed up old pieces in order to bring them out of a rut. That plain, boring long-sleeved shirt you never wear? Add a scarf or a long necklace. The dress someone gave you that is just a bit too big and boxy? Tie and belt around the waist and bling it up with some fun jewelry!
If you’ve got sewing skills, use them.
Tear apart what isn’t working and turn it into something else! There are dozens upon dozens of tutorials online that give awesome instructions for turning boring or dated clothing into new and exciting pieces. (Did you know that you can make some amazing scarves out of old t-shirts?)
Pinterest has become my best friend for looking for ideas. Some things have been amazing, others have failed miserably. But what have you got to loose on something you’re probably going to get rid of anyway? And there’s little more satisfying than a makeover that goes well!
Get Rid of Clutter
When all else fails…get rid of it. It will be almost impossible to have a usable wardrobe if the clutter doesn’t go. So make a pact with yourself: don’t hang onto things that are just taking up space in your closet and you know you’ll never actually wear. If you haven’t used it in a year, it may be time for it to go. Sell it, consign it, give it away.
I once read a great idea of turning all the hangers in your closet backwards and as you use items, putting them back in the right way. At the end of an allotted time, whatever items are still hanging backwards are eliminated from the closet! Its definitely one way to determine what things aren’t doing you any good. Find one that works for you, and keep your closet trim and in shape!
And then…go shopping.
Once you know what you have and what you need, it’s time to go shopping! Hit the clearance racks every time you go into your favorite stores. I almost never walk into a store without at least briefly checking the clearance section. And its almost always worth it.
The key to saving money while shopping is definitely patience. If you don’t find what you want immediately, be patient and just keep looking. Wait for sales and special holiday deals to bring the prices down. That cute dress you’ve been eyeing that has a price tag of $70 just may be marked down to $12 on Black Friday! So bide your time. It’ll almost always be worth it.
If you are shopping at thrift stores, you need to visit often. Where I work, our inventory changes daily. Some days we have boring stuff, other days you might find a dozen things you like. The point is that you just have to keep looking.
A shopping trip doesn’t have to take all day or cost a ton of cash. A half-hour or less browse while grocery shopping or after work can prove very successful. If you are always on the lookout, then you won’t need to spend lots of time and money trying to find clothes that work for you. An item here and there, and pretty soon you’ll have built up a wardrobe that you are excited to work with.
Most importantly, have fun.
Enjoy what you wear. Never be afraid to kick it up a notch. Try something new! Explore and make the best of everything!
Have a tip to share?
Leave a comment with your favorite thrifty fashion tip or shopping story! What key pieces have you been able to add to your wardrobe while keeping some extra change in your pocket?
About Hannah Fellows
I'm living the dream in NE Ohio, married to the love of my life and enjoying everything about it. I'm an extreme health nut, love writing, am always on the lookout for screaming good deals and work at a ladies resale shop, so I have an ever growing appreciation for style and fashion.
I had never shopped on Black Friday in all my 18 years of life until this past Black Friday where I and a friend were able to take advantage of some great deals. I know the JC Penny’s out here had a four hour sale on winter coats marked down to around a quarter of the price on some of them. I would definitely consider doing BF shopping again for larger ticket items that I can’t get at a re-sale shop.
Thanks for sharing!