Looking fashionable and on-trend does not need to come with an expensive price tag. With some savvy shopping strategies and styling tricks, it is totally possible to curate an enviable wardrobe without breaking the bank. Here are some easy budget-friendly style hacks to try.
Shop Secondhand First
One of the best ways to score high-quality pieces at a fraction of their original cost is by thrifting secondhand. Check out local consignment stores, vintage shops, and online resale marketplaces for deeply discounted clothing, shoes, accessories and even furniture.
You can find designer and name brand merchandise for just a small fraction of the retail price if you are willing to put in a little hunting effort. Online thrifting makes it even easier to filter for specific labels, styles, and sizes according to your needs.
Get Crafty With DIY
Another budget-friendly style hack is putting your own creative DIY spin on affordable basics. With a few simple tweaks and embellishments, you can transform discount store finds into totally unique statement pieces.
Use bleach pens, fabric dye, studs, iron-on designs, and other crafty tools to customize plain tees, denim, shoes, and accessories. Search for DIY tutorials teaching techniques like distressing, adding embroidery, sewing on patches, or creating fringed and cropped remixes.
Shop Clearance Seasons
Make a point to shop sales racks, outlets, and clearance sections when stores are making way for new seasonal inventory. You can scoop up deeply discounted pieces that may look slightly out of season but can easily be layered and transitioned.
Remix Secondhand Finds
When thrifting secondhand, be willing to look past an item’s current condition or look to spot its hidden potential. With some simple alterations, you can totally remix and reinvent low-cost thrift finds.
An oversized blazer could be cropped into a cool shrunken fit. A dated dress could get a trendy high-low hemline update. Or give a pair of jeans a freshly destructed, distressed makeover. Do not write pieces off that can be easily tweaked.
Scour Discount Bins
Most major retailers will have roving discount bins or sales sections sprinkled throughout stores holding steeply reduced seasonal markdowns. Make a point of scouring those sections first before touching full-priced merch.
These discounts can include everything from clothes to discount sunglasses, home goods, accessories and more that stores are aggressively unloading. The experts at Olympic Eyewear say that some solid digging may unearth some true steals that update your look for little out-of-pocket cost.
Learn to Mix High and Low
Once you assemble your thrifted, sale-scored, and discounted wardrobe gems, employ some styling tricks to make every piece look instantly more expensive. Learning to mix high and low pieces creates killer, fresh looks on a budget.
Maybe pair a cashmere designer sweater from the consignment shop with affordable ripped denim and discount sneakers for casual cool. Or rock a thrifted cocktail dress with trendy seasonal accessories like statement earrings or designer sunglasses that elevate the whole vibe.
Spruce Up With Alterations
Whether your clothes are consignment, discount or secondhand, consider investing in some affordable alterations and tailoring to truly perfect the fit. Alterations instantly transforms ill-fitting items into custom made-to-measure pieces.
Even the simplest tweaks like a hem, seam slimming or shortening straps can make clothes look expensive and upscale versus sloppy and cheap. Find a local mom-and-pop tailor offering basic clothing alterations for low fees.
Conclusion
Looking endlessly chic and stylish doesn’t have to require deep pockets if you get strategic about how and where you shop. With some budget-savvy hacks and styling tips, it is easy to curate a fashionable and on-trend wardrobe no matter your budget.