Buying new clothes might seem like it will cost you more than you can reasonably shell out. But if you’re strategic about your approach to upgrading your wardrobe, you can get everything you need without going broke.
Whether you decide to invest in a new wardrobe slowly, shop in the off-season, wait for sales, or dedicate part of your budget to new clothes every month, there are several things you can do to make these upgrades on a budget.
Here are five tips for shopping affordably.
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1. Invest in Your New Wardrobe Slowly
When building your wardrobe, there’s no need to get a bunch of clothes all at once. In fact, it’s perfectly okay to get a new outfit here and some new apparel there. Some people decide to buy something new every time they’re invited to an event.
To make sure you have money in the bank to do so, you could open an account and put money into it every time you get paid. Then, whenever you’re invited somewhere, you’ll have the money to buy a new outfit, some accessories and perhaps a new pair of shoes or a new purse to go with it.
2. Shop for Inexpensive, Quality Lingerie
Buying sexy lingerie doesn’t have to be expensive, either. It can give you the confidence boost you need in your relationship or in the dating game. You don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to look and feel sexy. With all kinds of online stores popping up, prices are more competitive than they once were, which means more opportunity for you to snap up a few new lingerie pieces to add to your wardrobe. Whether you’re into one-piece lace garters or seductive see-through teddy’s, you can find lingerie that matches your personal style and taste and keep things hot in the bedroom.
3. Wait for the Sales
If money is tight, don’t buy the items you want at full price. Instead, wait for them to go on sale and then pounce. Waiting until clothing goes on sale can save you a lot of money in the long run. Even if you have expensive tastes, buying new clothes on sale (or even clearance) can save you a ton of money. Closeout sales happen pretty often in the retail world, and if you want to stay on top of these opportunities, sign up to get email reminders from your favorite retail stores, so you’ll always know when there’s a sale coming up.
4. Get Your Clothes in the Off-Season
Getting your clothes in the off-season can also help you save money. Additionally, doing so can help you get the wardrobe you want without breaking the bank. The following months are the best times of the year to purchase the following:
- February: Winter apparel and cold-weather products
- May: Spring apparel at a discount
- July: Summer apparel (without waiting for end-of-summer sales)
- August: Bathing suits and outdoor products
- October: New jeans, since fall inventory is just arriving in stores
Following this schedule for buying new clothes can help you save a few bucks as you spruce up your wardrobe.
5. Add New Clothes to Your Monthly Budget
Much like you budget for your bills, put aside a little bit of money that’s dedicated to improving your wardrobe. It doesn’t even have to be a lot of money. Financial experts recommend you allocate about 5 percent of your expenses to getting new clothes and maintaining the clothes you already own.
So, the next time you’re calculating your monthly budget, remember to carve out some money to add new clothes to your wardrobe each month. Doing this allows you to rack up on all kinds of clothes from tops and dresses to jeans and skirts.
Finding Affordable Ways to Upgrade Your Wardrobe
Finding affordable ways to upgrade your wardrobe isn’t difficult. By following the above tips, you’ll put yourself in a position to buy the new clothes you’ve been eyeing for some time. From investing in your wardrobe little by little and dedicating a portion of your budget to buying new clothes to shopping in the off-season and finding inexpensive, yet quality lingerie, you can transform your entire wardrobe in no time.