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I’m sure y’all have watched Confessions of a Shopaholic and told yourself that you’ll never be addicted to clothes. I know I have! Clothes are one of the things to stop buying to save money, particularly if you don’t need or plan to wear them for everyday use!
But what if I told you there’s a way to slay without spending extravagant amounts of money? Just because you want to save money on what you wear doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice looking good!
Throughout the years, I’ve mastered the art of budgeting and saving, which means knowing the best things you can do to keep those clothes expenses low. And don’t worry; you won’t be sacrificing looking cute either!
Read on for smart tips on how to save money on clothes!
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1. Shop Off-Season
Shopping for clothes that aren’t in season is always cheaper compared to buying them when they’re in demand. Stores almost always offer amazing deals on off-season clothes, like swimsuits during winter or coats during summer. The discounts can be as high as 70%! That’s a major discount right there, making shopping off-season one of the best ways to save money.
That’s why I recommend preparing ahead and shopping for the next season. It’s an awesome tip to budget for new clothes, especially when it comes to getting expensive coats! You can check out the clearance racks for heavy jackets during April to June, or buy dresses once the colder seasons start to hit.
2. Buy Secondhand
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Or what I like to say is, a lady’s secondhand clothes are another gal’s future OOTD!
More people are thrifting nowadays, and there are so many reasons why! Not only is it cheaper, but you’ll discover amazing finds that you can’t score elsewhere. You can also channel your fashion sense, whether you prefer vintage, Y2K, boho, or any style under the sun!
Besides that, you can snag designer brands at a fraction of the price. If you look hard and take your time in thrift shops, you might find a $200 designer jacket for as low as $30! This is one of my go-to frugal living tips. It’s how I realized I can look great without dropping a ton of cash.
If you’re planning to follow this budget-friendly fashion tip, I recommend checking out your local thrift stores, consignment shops, or online platforms like Poshmark and Depop!
3. Use Cashback and Reward Apps
What if I told you that you can get your money back after having the ultimate shopping spree? Well, at least part of your money back, which is still a good deal!
You can use cashback and reward apps like Rakuten or Fetch Rewards when purchasing items! After checking out, you earn points or get cashback that you can use for future shopping.
Not sure how cashback apps work? Check out my Rakuten review to learn more!
4. Focus on Timeless Basics
Whether you’re purchasing new or secondhand clothing, the top way to save money shopping for future sprees is to invest in timeless basics. Doing this will make you feel less tempted to keep purchasing new clothes every time a new trend comes out. After all, classy, versatile clothes will always be in!
Rather than getting that trendy neon jacket, opt for a plain black blazer. It can go with just about anything, and you’ll look fabulous when wearing it.
5. Rent Special Occasion Outfits
From weddings to galas, I know just how expensive the gowns can get. I was checking out dresses for a wedding I was invited to, only to discover the average prices for nice outfits were at least $200! Sure, the dresses look glamorous, but I’ll only be wearing them once or twice. Well, unless I feel like wearing a bridesmaid’s dress while doing the groceries!
That’s when I realized you can stop buying clothes you don’t need and just rent a gown or tux. It’s cheaper and you’ll still look fabulous.
I recommend checking out Rent the Runway, where you can find amazing outfits made for weddings, parties, and galas of just about any theme. I found dresses worth over $400 that you can rent for just $60.
6. Host a Clothing Swap
Refreshing your entire wardrobe doesn’t mean throwing away all your clothes and buying everything new! If you want to know how to get free clothes, host a clothing swap with friends and family. That way, you can all get a lot of the cute clothes you want for free!
It’s a win-win situation since you all get new outfits without having to deal with selling clothes or overloading your closet. You can also make a girls’ night out of it, where you’re enjoying your favorite meals and drinks while trying on your friends’ clothes.
7. Wait 24-48 Hours Before Buying
If there’s one thing that helped me learn how to stop spending money, it’s the 48-hour rule. Whenever I go shopping and find something cute, I stop and give myself 24-48 hours to see if I really want it.
Chances are, I realize I didn’t want or need it that badly. Most times, I completely forget about it! That’s why you shouldn’t buy things right away or go impulse buying just for the heck of it. If you add to your online cart, wait a day or two to really see if it’s worth getting.
8. Set a Clothing Budget
Can’t stop shopping? I know how that feels! What if I told you there’s a way to save money on clothes without having to cut off your guilty pleasure?
It all starts with setting a monthly or seasonal shopping budget! This allows you to control your spending, so you won’t be impulse buying all the time.
If you’re wondering what a good budget is, I’d say a $100 seasonal clothing budget is enough. Just make sure that you only prioritize the clothes you need!
Another way to budget is to follow the 50/30/20 rule. This means setting aside 50% of your monthly income for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings. It’s up to you if you want to use the entire 30% on clothes shopping or for other wants, like going out with friends and pursuing your hobbies!
9. Take Care of Your Clothes
One of the major reasons why we all end up shopping for new clothes is that our current ones always seem to break. Wear and tear is normal, but if you want to save money on fashion, you also need to save your wardrobe from damage!
The better you take care of your clothes, the longer they’ll look new, AND the less tempted you’ll be to shop. Some effective tips include washing your clothes inside out and using gentle detergents. Air drying is also king!
10. Learn Basic Clothing Repairs
Don’t you just hate it when you find a hole in your jeans, or when your top tears? No, that isn’t your sign to buy new clothes! Why not just bring out your sewing kit and repair the clothes yourself?
Learning the basics like sewing buttons, hemming pants, and fixing small tears can greatly extend your clothes’ lifespan. It’s also a minimalist lifestyle to save money! If the damaged item still looks repairable, it’s way cheaper to fix it than get something new.
11. Sell Clothes You No Longer Wear
If you’ve got a ton of clothes you no longer wear, why not just sell them? That way, you won’t be wasting money on the old clothes you bought before, and you won’t spend as much when purchasing new ones!
I also like to think of it this way: Whenever I sell my clothes, I don’t only make money. It has me reflect on my shopping habits, making me feel more mindful the next time I purchase new things!
Once you’ve decluttered your closet and know what to sell, I recommend posting on the best apps to sell clothes, like Poshmark and Facebook Marketplace, where you can sell clothes you’ve barely worn for $20-30. If you enjoy doing this, you can make it into a small side hustle by flipping thrifted clothes for profit!
12. Try a No-Spend Challenge
The best way to save money is to avoid spending on clothes altogether, unless it’s absolutely necessary. For some, it feels like an impossible feat. Well, if you’re a competitive person up for a game, why not take on the no-spend challenge?
Try going for 30 or 60 days without spending on clothes at all. You can even make it more fun by having friends or family join! I tried the no-spend challenge and was shocked by how much I saved. I got to save $200, and it made me appreciate the clothes I already have. I mixed and matched so many outfits to the point I realized I don’t need new clothes when my pieces are already more than enough.
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