Style isn’t dependent on a budget. But with the right mindset our shopping strategy can be more effective and our style will improve because we’ve given it some thought. Today, I’m sharing 7 ways to shop & dress better on a budget
Learning how to shop smarter doesn’t mean you have to stop shopping altogether. Some of my fondest memories are those of me and my mom heading out the door for a day of fun-filled with shopping and a leisurely lunch.
And now I have a daughter-in-law that I can shop with too. Kelly and I have an annual tradition where we drive to Atlanta the night before the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale.
We book a room at a swanky hotel, make dinner reservations at a favorite restaurant then grab a cup of coffee the next morning before we head to Nordstrom.
When we’re finished shopping ’til we drop we end the day at Nordstrom’s Café for a late lunch and glass of wine. Sometimes shopping is not only fun but hard work!
All of this is just to say, this post is not about “not shopping”—just shopping a bit smarter. So, let’s get right down to the tips.
TL;DR
Today, I’m sharing 7 ways to shop & dress better on a budget
As one of the tips is “invest in wardrobe basics”, I’m re-sharing some of the essential tops I posted last week; and previewing some of the essential bottoms I will share this week.
I’ve linked all of the resources I mention in this post
And all of my essential basics are shoppable via text- and image-widgets
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All images are now clickable and will redirect you to LTK where you can shop the image directly.
7 Ways to Shop & Dress Better on a Budget
1. Avoid Fast Fashion
This can be a challenging tip to incorporate. Many of you may be scratching your head thinking, “Beth, this blog post is about instant ways to dress better on a budget.” But there’s a big difference between creating a budget for your wardrobe and shopping budget-friendly fast fashion brands.
Fast fashion can be tempting because they offer great prices. But most likely the items you purchase from H&M, Zara, Target, or Mango will not fit you well and will wear out much sooner. I’m not saying don’t ever shop fast fashion but be thoughtful about your purchases. Always ask:
- How long will this last?
- How well does it fit?
If the answers are “not very long” and “not well at all”, definitely reconsider the purchase.
2. Invest In Wardrobe Basics
This is not a new thought to many of us but it bears repeating. In fact, just kicked off our yearly Back to Basics series last week.
Wardrobe basics are the backbone of your wardrobe as they ensure your wardrobe can easily mix and match with one another creating multiple outfits.
- Start with classic items like a great pair of denim, classic shoes, and a blazer.
- Then add a trench coat or a nice leather jacket.
- Add accessories like the perfect pair of sunglasses.
As a matter of fact, make a list of all the wardrobe basics that are missing from your closet. When you see one on sale snap it up.
Similar Outfit
Board: Stripe Lambswool Crewneck Sweater (Sunspel) | Relaxed Perfect Shirt (Ann Taylor) | Sculpt Straight Leg Jeans (Talbots) | Tish Chelsea Nappa Ankle Boots (Talbots)
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Similar outfit
Board: Relaxed Perfect Shirt (Ann Taylor) | Relaxed Poplin Button-Up Shirt (Open Edit) | Boyfriend Shirt (Talbots) | Relaxed-Fit Crisp Cotton Poplin Shirt (J.Crew)
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3. Don’t Impulse Buy
This tip can be challenging especially when you discover a luxury item sitting on the clearance rack discounted by 80%. That’s a score, right?
Not necessarily. Have you ever purchased a clearance rack item, brought it home, and found you have nothing to wear with it? That one piece of clothing could cost you more money in the long run because you have to purchase other items to go with it.
So here’s my tip to help you with impulse buying. It’s the rule of 3. Before you make a purchase:
- Think of 3 outfits you can create with that drool-worthy skirt, pants, sweater, or jacket.
If you can then go ahead and splurge!
4. Shop Second Hand
Thrift Stores and consignment shops are great places to shop. And they serve a purpose as clothes are recycled instead on ending up in the dumpster. Shopping secondhand is easy on our environment and easy on your budget.
Similar Outfit
Board: Classic Denim Jacket (Talbots) | Slim Utility Pant (Banana Republic) | Laura Woven Vachetta Leather Loafers (Talbots) | Breton Striped Top (Saint James)
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Similar outfit
Board: Sydney Wide-Leg Pant (J.Crew) | Perfect Chinos (Talbots) | Slim Utility Pant (Banana Republic) | The Ankle Pant (Ann Taylor)
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5. Sell Your Clothes
Another way to save money on fashion is taking the extra step and selling the items you no longer wear. This takes more time and effort than donating your clothes to charity. But, again, it’s easy on the environment as you’re recycling your clothes. And, you set up a “shopping fund” from the money you earn.
Recently, I opened a Poshmark Closet and you can too. You can find my closet @bethdjalali. I’m in the early stages of setting it up (it is a lot of work!) but slowing but surely we’re adding items to the shop.
6. Invest In Fewer But Higher Quality Staples
Your fashion staples are the most valuable items in your closet. They’re the foundation of a gorgeous outfit. Quality overy quantity is key when dressing well on a budget.
While spending more on certain items might seem counterintuitive when you purchase fewer but higher quality pieces that will not only last longer but will save you money in the long run.
A Veronica Beard Dickey Blazer is a great investment as you can purchase the dickey inserts to create new versions of a simple blue blazer. I also love the ATM tee shirts that last and last rather than being retire after one season. Or it could be investing in a luxury handbag or silk scarf that can be handed down to the next generation.
Similar outfit
Board: Miller Dickey Jacket (Veronica Beard) | The Ankle Pant (Ann Taylor) | Breton Stripe Top (Saint James) | Antonia Pointed Toe Pump (Sam Edelman)
Shop the Board
Board: Board: Sydney Wide-Leg Pant (J.Crew) | Perfect Chinos (Talbots) | Slim Utility Pant (Banana Republic) | The Ankle Pant (Ann Taylor)
Shop the board
7. Rent-Your-Clothes
Clothing rentals are a great solution to dressing well on a budget. It’s the perfect solution for special occasions like a formal wedding or black tie event.
Recently, my future daughter-in-law chose to rent her dress for her mother’s wedding through Rent the Runway. She chose four different dresses which were sent to her home. After trying each one on for size she picked one wore it to the wedding and returned it. What a great solution! And she looked a-ma-zing!
Luxury brands like Vince and Ralph Lauren have their own rental programs.
In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Kelly shared 6 Mediterranean recipes perfect to kick off the new year. Click the title or image below to read the article.
6 Mediterranean Recipes
About The Author
I am on a no spend/low spend year…so ideas for clothes I might already have would be wonderful….and ideas for sensible but comfortable shoes to wear with sundresses would be something I might need….thanks
Thank you for this post on how to have a better quality wardrobe on a budget. Though I tend to buy from better quality clothes designers, like Talbots, McLaughlin, Ann Taylor to name a few, I never knew what Fast Fashion was and Iooked it up. Now I know I will continue to avoid these clothing brands. I do sell some items to 2nd hand clothing stores, but usually do not get a lot of money out of this venture. Will look into Poshmark.
Ready to admit there are some sizes in my closet I will just never wear again. Agree that local resale returns little. My brands are good, recognizable brands, but not designer. Will try Poshmark and see how I do.