How to Update Your Wardrobe on a Budget
Are you looking to update your wardrobe? Whether you’re entering a new season or require more professional pieces for work, it’s natural to want to spruce up your look occasionally. Unfortunately, updating your wardrobe can be expensive, especially with today’s inflation. You don’t want to break the bank — and shouldn’t have to.
In this article, we offer a few tips to help you find clothes at discount prices. From shopping online to downloading the right apps, here’s what you need to know to get your look for less.
1. Look Online
It’s no secret there’s been a boom in online shopping. And while convenience is one big reason why, another is price. Many online retailers offer popular brands at cut rates. Whether you want a discounted Carhartt jacket or a deal on Nike sneakers, searching online before visiting a brick-and-mortar store is a good idea.
Many people stay focused on the convenience of online shopping, not realizing it can be cheaper, too. Online retailers pay less overhead and can afford to lower prices. Furthermore, online retailers regularly advertise promotional codes that can be applied for additional discounts. If you want to save money, look at online retailers first.
2. Try Discount Stores
When it comes to retail, a discount store can be a bargain fashion seeker’s paradise. Walmart, Target, and Kohls’s are a few examples of discount stores that are located across the country. And while you may not love shopping for clothes at Walmart, you can’t deny it’s budget-friendly.
In addition to lower prices, discount stores also offer more variety. Take Target, for example. Not only can you purchase new clothes, but you can also buy accessories to complete your ensemble. And contrary to popular belief, a low price tag doesn’t necessarily mean low quality. Some discount stores partner with famous designers to offer department store looks at bargain basement prices.
3. Shop Consignment Stores
Consignment shops are great places to find cute clothes on the cheap. What’s nice about these stores is they only accept items in good condition and typically focus on designer or well-known brands. Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, and Gucci are just a few labels you may find at consignment stores. And before you say, “I can’t afford that!” think again.
Most consignment shops follow the one-third rule, pricing items at one-third of their retail cost. It’s important to note that other factors, like color, size, and condition, also affect price. The store may lower or raise the price based on an item’s desirability, but it will always be lower than at a retailer.
4. Check Your Closet
This tip may seem silly, but chances are your closet is filled with pieces you forgot existed. According to a Trunk Club study, almost 30% of the clothes in the average American’s closet haven’t been touched in over a year. Or they were never worn at all.
Before making any new purchases, spend some time going through your closet. Look at all your clothes, even those hanging up all the way in the back. You may rediscover hidden gems you forgot were there.
When going through your clothes, pull out the items you no longer want and consider donating or selling them secondhand. Your donations will help someone else update their wardrobe on a budget, while your sales can fund your own clothing purchases.
5. Use the Right Apps
You can download several apps to help you find clothes on a budget. Poshmark is a popular marketplace selling secondhand clothing items for women, men, and kids. Think of the site as another Facebook, but instead of posting about their day, users post items they’re selling at discounted rates.
In addition to updating your wardrobe with stylish pieces, you can also find replacements for items you’ve worn out. Maybe you purchased an H&M cardigan a few seasons ago and want another. You have a better chance of finding that on Poshmark than at H&M itself. Nor is that site the only marketplace for finding second hand garments. You could also check out thredUp, The RealReal, and Depop, to name a few others.
6. Shop the Back of Department Stores
There’s nothing wrong with shopping at traditional department stores — you just have to be strategic about it. Rather than lingering in the front of the store, focus on the clearance section typically found in the back. There, you’ll find discounted items that the store wants to move quickly.
Retailers put things on clearance when they haven’t sold in a profitable time frame or they’re making way for new merchandise. More often than not, you’ll find some desirable pieces on the clearance rack. And if you find a treasure that’s still beyond your means, check back later. Clearance items can continue to drop in price, so a return visit in a few days may yield the price you want.
The cost of clothing has skyrocketed in the last couple of years, making it difficult for consumers to afford new threads. Luckily, there are places you can buy clothes without blowing your budget. The tips above will help you dress to impress without paying in excess.
