If you're on a tight budget it can be really tricky to determine the best way forward when it comes to your wardrobe. Life can be expensive and if you have other big financial goals then it's important to figure out how to get what you need without breaking the bank. We've got a few tips to help you on your way!
1. Consider what you have already!
Start, by taking some time with your existing wardrobe... what's in that dry cleaning pile? When you take stock you might realise there are pieces you forgot you had or styles that are too big, or too small. There is a lot you can do once you know what you have. Get organised and then visit your local consignment shop to offload anything that needs to be retired. For the pieces you forgot about...
2. Refresh, mend and recreate...
Consider how you might be able to tidy up or recreate something you already have or maybe even reuse for another purpose. If something is too big but you like it then maybe you can have it tailored. Old t-shirts can become something completely new -- this is a great option for gym gear! Just do a quick Google or Youtube search such as "what to do with an old t-shirt" or "how to repurpose a dress"... you'll get some ideas for how to rework something you already have. Go on and get creative!
3. Shop second-hand & consignment
There is a treasure trove of goodies at your local consignment store. If you're in a pinch this is a great place to start. Gently loved pieces can easily be cleaned up and it's amazing what you can find. Take a friend, set a budget, and go exploring! This is especially great for denim/jeans. Often you can get really lightly worn jeans for a fraction of the price of retail and you can feel good about saving them from a landfill too!
4. Know your weakness
Shopaholic in recovery? One quick scan of your wardrobe should tell you what your weakness is... for example it may be florals. Once you know your weakness you can avoid it! Write it down and make it a rule. This is important especially going into a new season to avoid falling into old habits and getting more of what you already have. Pause and then be intentional about your investments.
5. Clarify your wardrobe gaps
Here's where we can help! Make sure you've gone through the process of understanding where your real wardrobe gaps are. Maybe you're short on work-appropriate shirts, maybe you wear one pair of pants WAY too often. If you need help with this check out our Capsule Wardrobe Guide and go through this process yourself. Once you know your gaps you can focus your budget on filling those and not waste any money on impulse purchases!
Hopefully, you're inspired to stick to your budget without giving up your wardrobe goals. In the end, it's all about focus and it's important that you're going after what's important to you instead of letting impulses get you off track.
6. When you do buy, choose quality
If you do decide it's time to make a more substantial wardrobe investment then make sure you're really thoughtful about what you need. This means taking some time and being strategic. One great rule to implement is when you see something you want and would usually just go ahead and buy it just stop and take 24 hours as a "cooling off" time and if you're still thinking about it 24 hours later then it might be worth purchasing. If you combine the 24 hour tactic with only purchasing pieces that will make at least 3 different outfits with your existing wardrobe, then already you're going to making MUCH better decisions.
We hope that these ideas help you reach both your budget and wardrobe goals!
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