Clothing is one of the three basic necessities for human beings, the other two being food and shelter. It is easier to control yourself when it comes to clothes for your baby. However, things are different and difficult when it comes to cutting expenses on your clothes.
This is because many buyers are driven by the habit of impulsive purchasing while buying clothes and accessories for themselves. They tend to pick up what catches their eye, which adds to unnecessary expenses categorized under the ‘Miscellaneous’ head.
According to financial gurus, the simple mantra to save money on wardrobe addition is to spend only five percent of one’s monthly income on clothing.
That means if you earn $5000, you can spend $250 on clothing. But if you ask me, I will say that it is too much for wardrobe addition. Here is my take on how to save expenses on clothing.
Do not visit factory outlet stores.
Shopaholics go crazy over shopping from the factory outlets. However, I consider it stupid and insensible. Surprised? These factory outlets, even if they are associated with the big names in the industry, offer poor-quality material. It is better to visit a cheap clothing store for a purchase. At least, you will get something that justifies your spending.
Avoid discounted sales
Have you ever noticed the mad rush during the sale season? People go crazy to get things at discounted prices. They spend an entire day shopping and come back with bagfuls of clothes bought at heavy discounts, which adds to their wardrobe but drains their pockets.
The reality is that these discount-laced items will not be a good embellishment for your collections as most of them are of inferior quality or from old stock. Even some are likely to have defects and come with rebates because the shop owners want to clear their stocks.
It is better to have 40-50 clothes that you will wear often instead of having more than 300 that you will use seldom or are unlikely to use at all. A simple closet is easier to manage, and it will save you a lot of time.
Going on a shopping spree will not save your wallet. Such discounts are offered several times a year and particularly on the eve of occasions. Avoid these as much as possible.
Choose often-worn quality items.
A couple of years ago, I did not mind spending $250 on jeans plus a coat. However, I used to slip into them once in a blue moon. As I am a regular office-goer, I have switched to less pricey but better-quality alternatives that I can use more frequently.
These days, I buy several $20 shirts to pair with two or three jeans, and that works fine for my regular needs. For that much, you can get something to flatter your look. What is more, you will feel comfortable as well.
10 Secrets to Building a Chic Wardrobe While Saving Money
Invest in Timeless Basics
Every wardrobe needs an untouchable set of basics. This entails classic pieces: a good pair of jeans, a crisp white button-up shirt, neutral tees, a good blazer, and that black dress.
The beauty of these staple items is that they are time-proof, can be mixed, blended, and matched, and are, therefore, very easy to build a variety of outfits from.
For these, spend a little more time on quality timeless pieces, saving on many alternatives in the future because they will last much longer and would not have to be replaced as often.
Pro Tip: Basic neutral colors such as black, white, gray, and navy are best because they match almost everything.
Shop Secondhand and Vintage
Thrift stores, consignment shops, and even online marketplaces like Poshmark, ThredUp, and Depop are incredible treasure-hunting grounds for those with a savvy eye for thrift.
Getting pieces secondhand saves you cash, but it also gives you those truly unique finds and, sometimes, even high-end designers for a fraction of their original cost. Vintage clothing, which tends to hold its shape best and lasts for so long, tends to be that much more reasonably priced and exudes so much personality in style.
Pro Tip: Thrice or more, take your time to look for good quality items when secondhand shopping. Then, check signs of wear so that they would last.
Waiting for Sales and Using Coupons
Most stores have sales during specific seasons, mostly at holidays or end-of-season clearances. Thus, if you have your alert system or wait for these events, you are likely to find all that material pretty cheaply without using coupons.
You can also request their emails in stores or begin clipping coupons to save some bucks and get early information on sales. Some stores also have loyalty programs where you can earn rewards such as extra discounts or birthday perks.
Pro tip: Websites and applications like Honey and RetailMeNot can add more coupons and cashback offers, so you can save more.
Shop Off-Season
Buy items off-season to save money. Buy summer clothes at the end of the season when they are discounted, and buy winter coats and boots during the spring season when they are more affordable. This requires some planning, but stocking ahead of time in such a manner can be well worth the savings.
Pro Tip: Shop in the off-season for clothing items you will be able to wear for several years and are not as likely to go out of fashion. Things that are super vogue are less likely to be trendy for long periods of time.
Quality Over Quantity
Fast fashion may result in wearing several cheap items instead of one quality piece. However, cheap goods do not last as long, so you will have to replace them much sooner.
Quality clothes may sometimes be more costly in the short term, but they tend to become better in the long term since they tend to last longer. This approach is also very environmentally friendly since it helps to curb the waste that results from frequent replacement.
Pro tip: When buying clothes, look into the stitching, quality of the fabric, and general construction to determine whether or not an item will last.
Learn Basic Clothing Care and Repairs
Learning how to care for your clothes properly will extend their lifespan. For instance, washing in cold water instead of hot water and drying on a line instead of using the dryer will help save the quality of the fabric, not to mention the absence of aggressive detergents.
Often, basic sewing skills are really useful. A lost button or a small rip does not have to spell the end for a favorite shirt; just a quick mend is needed.
Pro tip: Most alterations, such as hemming pants or taking in a shirt, are pretty simple and can be done by you after some practice, saving on tailoring costs.
Clothing Swap
Swap clothes. This is a fun, free way to freshen up your wardrobe. Invite friends, family, or coworkers and demand that each one arrive with used clothes he or she no longer wears.
This is an environmentally friendly approach to swapping pieces and finding “new-to-you” items for free. It is also a good excuse to spend time with friends and try styles you normally would not end up choosing.
Pro tip: Have a few dos and don’ts of what you can bring so that everyone goes home with a nice assortment of good things.
Unsubscribe from Teasing Retail Emails
Retailers love to send sale email communications, new arrivals, and flash deals; sometimes, it is hard not to buy something impulsively. For the sake of living on a budget, one might want to unsubscribe to some of these enticing emails to eliminate temptation when possible.
Pro Tip: If it is a store you truly love, you may instead track their app or social media. This will help you stay apprised concerning sales without overwhelming reminders.
Make a Shopping List and Adhere to It
A lot like grocery shopping, a shopping list can really be a lifesaver when it comes to buying clothes. Reflect on your wardrobe, think about what you really need, and then take those down on paper. This can keep you anchored and out of impulsive purchases that often end up in the back of the closet.
Pro tip: Make your list specific. Instead of “new pants,” for example, list “black work pants” to keep your focus on just what’s necessary.
Try a Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is a small set of high-quality pieces that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. A minimalist approach to fashion encourages quality over quantity, so you will not end up buying items you do not really need.
Pro tip: Begin by filtering your favorite pieces and laying them out in outfits. Then, you will know which colors, patterns, or styles best work for you and the necessities of your lifestyle.
Conclusion
In a world where fashion trends change faster than the seasons, building a stylish wardrobe without overspending can seem like a challenge. But dressing well does not have to come with a hefty price tag! With a few smart strategies, you can save on clothing costs while maintaining a fabulous, ever-evolving look that doesn’t strain your budget.