Be stylish on a budget with these 10 tips you’ve never heard before
Everyone wants to have that effortlessly stylish look without having to spend a fortune on designer clothes or hire a personal stylist. While shopping for clothes can be great fun, there are plenty of other things you’d also like to spend money on such as going out with friends or traveling.
So let’s look at some ways to look good even if we’re on a budget. Fortunately, there are some great tips to help you save money and get the most out of what you already own. After all, there’s nothing worse than throwing away something you never got to wear and losing out on what you spent.
One way to stick to your budget while still getting to shop is to reduce how much you’re spending overall. We’ll examine ways to find the best deals and teach you how to be a smarter shopper by arming yourself with knowledge about your wardrobe.
Not only that, but you’ll learn which items to buy in stores compared to those you should be buying online. You can usually find great discounts if you just know where to look and when to do your shopping.
Next we will cover how to make sure you purchase the right things so you don’t end up with buyers remorse or lose out because you can’t return something. As a strategic shopper, you’ll know all the secrets of where to look for deals that others may not be aware of.
We will cover these 4 important steps:
- Step 1: Limit Spending
- Step 2: Buying the Right Clothes
- Step 3: Leveling Up Your Closet
- Step 4: Keeping It Stylish
You’ll also be investing in classic colors and cuts that make you look so good no one will guess they cost a fraction of their high-end counterparts. Plus get some ideas about how to shop at places that aren’t as common but where you can find some serious steals.
We’ll also talk about which things are important to invest in when your budget allows so you can plan for bigger purchases. That way you can have some high-quality designer pieces that will last you a lifetime.
After you’ve finished shopping, find out how to tweak your purchases so they fit you perfectly and flatter your body. Learn the secret to getting clothes that look like they were custom made just for you.
Then the most important tip is how to take care of your clothes so they last as long as possible and look good the entire time. There’s nothing worse than having a garment you’ve worn a few times get destroyed after the first washing.
And most people may be hesitant to wash things for this exact reason. But we’ll discuss just how often is too often and secrets to keep clothes from getting ruined if they are delicate or need special care.
You may also be wondering what to do about wrinkles and stains, so we will go over that too. Plus the secret to having clothes fit perfectly without any bumps underneath from your undergarments. Instead, you’ll pull off a sleek look every day no matter what you’re wearing.
It’s a common misconception to think that looking stylish doesn’t come without spending a lot of money. However, that’s not necessarily true; you can end up looking fabulous with some great outfit inspiration and a few tips on staying within budget while shopping. And you can order it online too! Check out our article on stylish clothing you had no idea you could order online for ideas!
Step 1: Limit Spending
It’s a common misconception to think that looking stylish doesn’t come without spending a lot of money. However, that’s not necessarily true; you can end up looking fabulous with some great outfit inspiration and a few tips on staying within budget while shopping.
Start by Knowing What You Have and Don’t Have
Regardless of your budget, you should never go shopping without first analyzing what you have and what you don’t.
Otherwise, you may just be spending money on things you already have, don’t need, or you forgot they exist at the back of your closet. Hence, start by de-cluttering your closet, and selling, tossing, or donating items you don’t need.
Once, you know what fits, what styles you already have, and what your wardrobe is missing to align with the latest fashion trends, you can start shopping.
Leave Your Credit Card Behind
When going out to shop, don’t take along an incentive to make you keep shopping; just carry cash, and if something you like doesn’t meet the budget, you can’t afford it. This is a great way to stop yourself from overspending when going shopping alone.
Stick to Online Shopping for Accessories and One-size Items
Leave it to online shopping to give you a good deal on accessories and one-size items, like scarves. If you want to choose online shopping for clothes, only do it for brands that you’re sure of.
Other than that, head over to the mall to compare colors, fits, and prices between stores. This way, you’re sure as to what color and fit you’re actually buying.
Step 2: Buying the Right Clothes
Spend Less on Everyday Essentials
Ever noticed that some clothes can be matched to make multiple great outfits; every closet needs certain essentials, like a black spaghetti strap top over straight fit jeans and a white t-shirt under a classy blazer.
These essentials are somewhat the same whether you buy them from a high-end store or Target. Considering how often you’ll want to wear such essential, both expensive and affordable items will wear out quickly, so it’s better to stick to affordable versions.
This also includes classics like black leather and nude pumps and trousers that you can match with different tops. However, don’t go for cheap options if you’re looking for things that simply cost more for a better look, like distressed jeans, because cheaper versions can easily stand out.
Look at the Clearance Rack First
When buying essentials and other clothing items that are important for your everyday style, check the clearance racks at stores. These are bound to give you a good deal you can’t refuse, and you may even get a few date night-worthy pieces as well.
Choose Whites, Blacks, Navy, and Pastels Instead of Dingy Colors
When opting for solid pieces that you can put together to make multiple outfits, whether it’s basic t-shirts, skirts, or trouser, choose whites, blacks, navy, and pastel colors instead of bright tones that fade poorly. Yes, navy and blacks will fade, but they don’t end up looking as shabby as colors, like brown.
Step 3: Leveling Up Your Closet
Think of having great style as a ladder or pyramid, with high-end fashion pieces at the top. It’s important that you get proper essentials before trying to get expensive evening wear that you’ll rarely wear. So, once you’ve gathered the right essentials, it’s time to level up.
Head Over to the Tailor
Have you ever stopped to think why style icons look like a million dollars? The answer is because they may have spent a million dollars, but more importantly, their clothes fit well. For a stylish look, your clothes need to fit well, but since you can’t have everything custom-made, how about going to a tailor?
For evening wear, formal clothes, and high-street fashions make sure that your clothes have a fit that’s right for you.
Check Charity Shops
So you want to level up your closet? For this, you need a few high-end items like a blazer, formal trousers, and skirts. But that doesn’t mean you should start splurging right away; check thrift stores and charity shops first. There’s a big chance that people may have donated some of the things you’re looking for. If you don’t find it there, then move on to a bigger store.
Splurge on Timeless Classics That Can Last Longer
By splurge, we don’t mean emptying your bank account. In fact, even spending an extra $10 at Macy’s is the same as ‘splurging’. So whether you’re a ShopBop, Bloomingdales, or Nordstrom kind of person, it’s up to you to spend a little extra for items you won’t wear every day, but definitely more often than a feathered hat.
Step 4: Keeping it Stylish
Staying stylish isn’t only about spending money and buying clothes, you need to take care of what you buy as well.
Don’t Wash Your Clothes too Much
To begin with, don’t wash your clothes too much, because it makes colors fade, and stretches out the fabric, which messes up the fit. Instead, try spot cleaning and air drying your clothes to prevent odor buildup. Also, use armpit liners on white clothes to prevent unsightly underarm stains.
Don’t Put Off Stain Removal
On the other hand, please don’t put off stain removal, and get to it as soon as possible. If you can’t get rid of it at home, take it to a dry cleaner. If that doesn’t work either, donate the item or wear it at home.
Use a Steamer to Get Rid of Wrinkles
Wrinkles can make even the most expensive clothing look shabby, but it’s not always a great idea to iron everything either, because that weakens fibers over time. Instead, invest in a steamer to get wrinkles out of synthetic fabrics and get a better look.
Use Shapewear and Well-fitting Underwear
Lastly, get some lightweight shapewear to prevent bra or panty lines that make clothes look ill-fitting. And if you’re not doing it already, always get the right size of underwear to avoid slips and embarrassing incidents.
