Who doesn’t love flipping through the September issue of Vogue to determine what’s going to be in style this season? It’s a fun pastime, until you look at the price tags of the newest trends and break into a panic. In reality, not everyone can spend $500 on one top.
Unless you have the budget to totally overhaul your wardrobe each season, you’re probably looking for affordable ways to update your closet. Here are a few tips and tricks for staying stylish without breaking the bank.
Trade up
Consignment shops are a great way to earn some spare cash. But another way you can use consignment shops? For clothing swaps. Many stores will give you store credit instead of cash, and typically (because they want to keep you in their store) you’ll receive more in store credit than you would with a cash handout. Yes, the clothes will all be secondhand, but if you’re in a store with a lot of options, you can find some killer vintage pieces.
Host a clothing swap
If you’re feeling like your wardrobe needs an update, the chances are that your squad feels the same. Host a girls’ night in and have everyone bring some clothes that they want to get rid of. Once everyone lays their clothing out, you can try on what everyone has brought and see if there’s anything to bring home.
Learn to sew
Sewing
is a great skill to have regardless. It’ll keep you from having to replace items that lose a button or get a small tear, and it will also help you to update clothing that you already have. There are plenty of resources online that show you how to upcycle basic pieces into something that’s uniquely you. What you could buy for $100, you can recreate for less than $10. All you need is a needle and thread!
Invest in classics
Certain colors and trends never go out of style, so look for classic styles when you’re shopping. A-line dresses
, pencil skirts, turtlenecks and other wardrobe basics can be dressed up or down. In regards to color schemes, splurge on neutrals like beige, navy, gray and black. So long as you’ll wear them regularly, don’t hesitate to invest in classic pieces of clothing.
Re-create trends on the cheap
When there’s a fashion trend you want to try, don’t purchase the first version of it that you see. Look to see if it’s something you can DIY on the cheap (like this amazing Yeezy sock boot
hack!) or if it’s something you can find an inexpensive version of. If you know that this trend won’t last for more than a year, buy the cheaper version from Forever 21, H&M or somewhere similar. If, however, you see yourself wearing this trend for a long time (and reeeeally think about this before you decide), it’s okay to invest in a nicer piece.
