If you’re looking to update your wardrobe, whether because you feel like trying out a new look or maybe because you haven’t had any new clothes in a while, but you’re on a strict budget, you might feel like you’re going to struggle. However, it’s surprisingly easy to refresh your wardrobe on a shoestring. 

Here are some really neat ideas that will enable you to get the new clothing you want without having to break the bank:

Shop Your Closet

Okay, so at first glance, this may seem like a pretty stupid idea when you’re looking to update your wardrobe, but think about it – chances are you have a whole host of clothing in your closet that you’ve rarely if ever worn. There could be tons of items in there you’ve long since forgotten about, and maybe now is the time to wear them? See what you have because it might just be that those old clothes have come back into fashion and they can help you to look fabulous again without spending a single dime.

Search for Discount Stores

If you search terms like discount sneakers outlet or budget designer clothing, you’ll be surprised at just how many websites there are out there selling high-quality clothing at a fraction of the RRP. By utilizing these resources, you can curate a really impressive wardrobe without spending very much money at all. Obviously, you need to do your research carefully and only invest in pieces you will actually wear, but you can dress very well without spending a small fortune. Give it a go, you’ll soon see that I’m right.

Swap with Friends

Another way to update your wardrobe absolutely free of charge is to hold a clothes-swapping party with friends and family members. Put out a few drinks and snacks, tell every guest to bring a long at least one item of clothing that’s in good condition, but which they never wear, and then you can all have lots of fun trying each other’s offerings on and ultimately swapping them so that you all end up with a new piece at the end of the night.

Wait for the Sales

This is pretty self-evident, but it’s worth mentioning that if you can wait until the stores you love have a sale, you will be able to pick up more than a few bargains. Get their early, hit the racks, and see what treasures you can find.

Check the Racks at the Back

Whether you’re buying during a sale or not, it’s a really good idea to start your search for new clothing at the back of the store. Most clothing retailers will place the most expensive clothing lines front and center in a bid to entice customers to buy them. This means that the real bargains are often lurking at the back of the store. If you start there, you’re far more likely to find a bargain or two and save your budget.

Consider Preloved Outfits

A lot of people are really weirded out by the idea of wearing clothing that has been worn by someone else in the past, but the fact is that as long as they have been washed, there is absolutely no risk to you and nothing to worry about, I mean, the clothing you buy in the store has likely been tried on by several people before you buy it anyway, and the benefits of buying preloved are certainly worth it. For one thing, you can often pick up designer outfits for a few dollars if you know where to look, and for another, you can find outfits that are a bit different from the norm, enabling you to create your own unique look that you won’t see a million other people wearing. Give it a go, you might be surprised by how much you love shopping the vintage stores and thrift shops.

Alter Your Clothes

If you can’t afford to buy any new outfits right now, but you want to change up your style, it may be worth dusting off your sewing machine, or if you don’t have one, see if you have a tool lending library nearby that does. You see, altering your clothes is pretty simple once you’ve got the hang of it, and it will enable you to transform old t-shirts into beautiful dresses, jeans into skirts, plain tops into jewel-adorned dress pieces, and well you get the idea.

Consider a Capsule Wardrobe

The beauty of a capsule wardrobe is that you don’t need to have a closet full of clothing – you buy lots of high-quality basics that are timelessly classic, and which can be mixed and matched to create a variety of different looks. By doing this, you can save money because you won’t need to keep endlessly replenishing your wardrobe as cheaper clothing becomes threadbare or styles change. Obviously, this option does take a bit more investment, but if you gradually build up a capsule wardrobe by replacing individual items as and when needed, it will help you to save money and dress on a tighter budget in the future.

Try Out New Combinations

Another free way of updating your wardrobe is to simply try wearing your clothing in different combinations. For example, if you always wear your white shirt with dress pants, try pairing it with distressed jeans instead, or if you always wear boots with your maxi dresses, switch to wearing them with converse instead. This is a really simple thing to do, but if you do it right, it can totally transform your style and give you an endless number of options to choose from.

Buy Out of Season

Buying your bikinis in the dead of winter and your winter coats in the height of summer is a really smart way of getting your garments for less money. Obviously, seasonal items are far more in demand during their, well season, so they demand a bigger price tag, offseason, they aren’t as desirable. Which means you can often get them for a steal.

Have fun updating your wardrobe!

Category: Mumbling Mommy

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