5 Tips to Dressing Your Best on a Budget - LUXlife magazine

5 Tips to Dressing Your Best on a Budget

Dressing your best on a budget might seem almost impossible, especially if you have a penchant for designer threads. But dressing in designer duds doesn’t have to mean paying an arm and a leg. In fact, you don’t have to sell your soul to dress to impress. With a few shopping hacks, you can be well on your way to getting the wardrobe you deserve. Here are five tips for dressing your best on a budget.

1. Buy in the Off-Season & During Holidays

Shopping for new clothes during the off-season is a financially-savvy move, one that can help you expand your wardrobe without breaking the bank. Try to shop for clothes when seasons change, because, during these times of the year, retailers usually mark down items to make room for new styles. Shopping on Cyber Monday, Black Friday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Super Saturday and New Year’s Eve can help you get new clothes for much cheaper than you would normally. 

2. Get a Little Black Dress

Every woman should have a little black dress in her closet. It’s a versatile type of dress you can wear on almost any occasion, day or night, depending on the length and style. A nice one isn’t expensive — it’s actually an investment. A little black dress is easy to dress up or down with accessories, jackets, shoes or hats. Plus, it can give you the confidence to show up anywhere feeling sexy and beautiful. If you don’t already own one in the back of your closet, consider changing that.

3. Check Out Thrift Shops

If you’re into a more vintage look, check out local thrift shops to see if anyone’s old trash could become your treasure. In addition to local thrift shops, you could also check out online thrift stores that sell vintage designer clothes. Thrift stores usually have great deals on high-end fashion and accessories. Go online and search for local thrift stores or check out online thrift stores like ThredUp, Swap.com and OnlineThrift. 

4. Swap Clothes with Friends

Swapping clothes with your friends or siblings is a great way to dress for less and expand your wardrobe without having to spend a dime. If your friends are into it, consider hosting a clothing swap party in which everyone invited brings an agreed-upon amount of clothing and accessories. Make sure to set rules for the clothing swap party by sending out an email to all your invitees about what’s allowed and what’s not, so everyone knows what to expect. For instance, how many pieces should each woman bring? 

5. Shop Online

Oftentimes, shopping online can help you find the best deals and give you access to inventory that’s not available in stores. If you want to find luxury clothes for cheap, shopping online is probably one of the best ways to go. When shopping for clothes online, make sure you know your measurements ahead of time. This way, you won’t have to worry about getting clothes delivered in the wrong size and having to send them back. Additionally, make sure to read plenty of reviews before buying anything and research the types of materials used to manufacture the clothes you want, so you don’t end up with clothes that feel like sandpaper scraping against your skin.

Upgrading Your Wardrobe

Dressing your best on a budget is entirely possible, especially when you consider the above tips. Finding versatile clothing you can wear just about anywhere, shopping online, swapping clothes with friends, checking out thrift shops and buying in the off-season and during holidays can help you find the clothes you love without spending too much. Start using the above tips to help you get the wardrobe of your dreams.