If you love reading fashion blogs and pinning photos of the latest trends, you may be wondering how you can incorporate high fashion looks into your personal style on a budget.
After all, most of us are not lucky enough to have an endless flow of cash that can be spent on brand name designer clothes each season. But with some savvy shopping and bargain hunting, you can make the most of any budget. Follow these tips to find clothes that will help you step out in style:
1) Head to your local consignment or thrift shop.
You can find some great pieces at rock-bottom prices by heading to your local consignment or thrift shop. Consignment shops are especially recommended, as they only take clothes from mid-range to high-end designers that have been “gently used” by previous owners. Make sure to check back regularly; you never know when someone may have just dropped off a stylish pair of jeans or a designer handbag!
2) Find an online swap.
Got a few pieces in your wardrobe you wish you could trade in for this season’s trends? Find an online swap where you can exchange your old pieces for the new pieces you desire. Big Wardrobe is a worldwide fashion exchange that provides you access to over 100,000 pieces, while Swishing and Swop2Shop are UK-based websites that have thriving swapping communities as well. Don’t have anything to swap? Buy directly at a discounted price.
3) Shop clearance racks and “sale” tabs only.
If you’re headed to the mall, implement this simple rule as you shop: buy from the clearance and sales racks only. Same goes for online shopping: click past the “this just in” tab and go straight for the “sale” one. You might also want to check out sites like Amazon, eBay, and Crazy Clearance for quality items at rock-bottom prices. If you really must buy something brand new, make it a wardrobe staple that you’ll get a lot of usage from — a pair of fitted jeans, a nice pair of shoes, or a basic shirt that can be dressed up or dressed down.
4) Sign up for sale alerts and coupons.
Got a brand you can’t get enough of? Sign up to become part of their mailing list and receive alerts that will notify you when they’re offering special coupons and sales. If you don’t want your account to be spammed with emails, check free coupon sites like RetailMeNot, DiscountVoucherUK, MyVoucherCodesUK, and CouponCraze to find coupons and voucher codes you can use while shopping.
Of course, you can always afford to spend more when you clear out unwanted items in exchange for cash. Sell old games consoles to musicMagpie to bolster your shopping fund.
