How many times has this happened to you? You open the closet and think, “I have nothing to wear!” If you are like me, you have favorite pieces you wear over and over, ignoring the gaping pile of clothing you own. Here’s how to make smart decisions to keep you stylish on a budget.
1. Clear your closet.
Most people only wear 20% of the clothing in their closet. Get rid of all the old pieces you’ve been hanging onto that “might come back in style again someday but are really just ten years old”, articles that don’t fit properly and articles you bought on a whim and decided you don’t like when you brought them home. This will leave you with a selection of items that you enjoy wearing and a basis to you can build your wardrobe around. You might even find some clothes you had forgotten you had. Yes, I am guilty!
2. Buy trendy accessories.
These items can perk up your wardrobe, changing the look of an entire outfit. They usually don’t cost that much and can be replaced at the end of the season or when you grow tired of them.
3. Browse online for ideas.
Pinterest , fashion sites and your favorite stores can provide inspiration on items to update your wardrobe that can be paired with something you already own. Maybe a new pair of heels would add some pizazz to several outfits or a shirt can be paired with several different skirts and pants.
4. Never Pay Retail.
Once you find something you want, search for the best price online. Check for coupon codes and free shipping options. Compare prices between companies. A few minutes spent searching online can usually provide significant savings on many items.
5. Repurpose Older Clothes.
Have a great dress in the closet that would be fashionable if it were shorter? Grab the scissors and make an adjustment. You have a favorite shirt with a small stain? Maybe it could be dyed a different color that covers the stain. Note: This only works if you are creative and can sew, something I have fallen short of on both counts.
What’s your favorite way to perk up your wardrobe without breaking your budget?
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I need to print this out to remind me as I need to build a summer wardrobe.
I never pay retail and always do coupons!!
these are all great tips and I use almost all of them 🙂 i love finding great deals!
Those are great tips! My closet needs a HUGE makeover.
Great tips. Thanks!
Great tips. I need to add to my accessories. SOON.
I’m going to go all through my closet this summer, purge and get rid of a bunch of clothes. I feel like I already have so many clothes, I won’t need to go shopping for a long time, lol. Great tips!
Great tips! Now to clear out my closet. 🙂
I may wear even LESS than 20% LOL Granted I have an enormous wardrobe, but I still seem to wear the same things over and over. I love trying to channel my “Inner Aria” (Pretty Little Liars) and try TOTALLY off the wall combinations. Its amazing what ends up looking really cute together.
I’ve been updating my earrings!
Never pay retail, I agree with this, because you just do not have to.
I love all of your tips! I always shop with coupons when I shop online but I needed the reminder to clean my closet. Thanks for the encouragement! 🙂
I have such a hard time with tip #1, but it really is the one I to do the most! I can’t get around all the clothes i Don’t wear to the few I actually do wear!
The way I keep a stylish wardrobe on a budget is purging regularly as you suggested as well as shopping at the thrift store! There are sometimes items with tags on them from the current season! I’ve been pretty lucky with my finds.
I totally believe the 20% figure – I know that’s true for me. Clearing out my closet is definitely high on my organizing list this spring.
These are great tips. I’ve been cleaning out my closets too and have really started getting into accessories. There are so many cute things out there that make outfits look completely different simply by accessorizing.
I’m going to have to print this one out to use as a guideline. Great tips.
Love these tips! I have been slowly clearing out my closets. I am trying to buy less trendy items and just spruce them up with accessories. 1/4 of the things in my closet I never wore because I bought them on a whim!
Ohhhh, I found codes for Mango through that coupon codes link. Score!
Thanks for the tips! I really need to freshen my wardrobe this spring.. now that I work at home and homeschool, I’ve totally slacked in the style department!
Love your ideas…. I’m always looking on how to be stylish but still on a budget. YES! I soo need to clean my closet, thanks for the tip.. this is my summer project and maybe then I can get in style and see what I actually have 🙂 Happy Summer
I’m starting to get a little bit better about your repurposing idea. Actually, maybe it’s really that I’m digging into the recesses of my closet out of boredom. lol So with you on the accessories idea too!
I love coupon codes, but the link to mydeals was new to me. I think that this will save me some money!
I was surprised when I read that people only use 20% of the clothing in their closet, but I think that this is true for me! I wear the same things frequently while there are other items that I hardly ever wear. I need to clean out my closet and donate some.