How to create your dream wardrobe on a budget
Andrew Stuckey • May 15, 2020
Now and again your wardrobe requires a fresh batch of goodies to help you stay on top of your style game. The T-shirts, jeans and socks that once felt so fresh soon start to look rather tired, and sometimes trying to remain fiscally savvy can feel like a constant battle.
High street costs don't help matters much either – in fact, with many retailers expecting people to shell out more than £20 on a T-shirt, it's easy to see why so many people spend high whenever they hit the shops.
Thankfully, there are plenty of tricks and tips to consider the next time you find yourself in need of some new threads – all of which could save you hundreds of pounds each year. So cancel those store cards and put down that catalogue, here's how to create your dream wardrobe on a budget.
Sell to buy
Just because you're bored of looking at a certain pair of shoes, a jacket or a cardigan doesn't mean that everyone else will feel the same way, so why not sell them on? There are some great places to sell your clothes online; you've just got to know where to look.
While sites such as eBay and Gumtree provide two conventional platforms to sell your unwanted clothes, there are plenty of sites you might not have heard of that could actually be more suited.
For example, Depop is a great place to sell all manner of goodies such as tie-dye tees and branded sweats, while EditSecondHand provides the perfect platform for ladies looking to sell their unwanted designer clothes or handbags. There's also ASOS Marketplace – a great site if you've got enough vintage clothing to set up your very own boutique. Just remember, most sites will take 10% commission, so be sure to factor this in whenever you're selling.
Once you've got some pennies put aside from selling your threads, it's time to start doing a little bit of shopping yourself. However, while the high street may be tempting, you might be better off looking at some of the shops listed below if you're operating on a budget.
Ethical bargains
While it's often nice to spend hard-earned cash on designer treats, there's plenty to be said for spending a pound or two at your local charity shop.
There are two main benefits to replenishing your old wardrobe with a bargain from a charity shop. Firstly, there's always a chance you'll be able to find a real gem – a Chanel bag, a Polo Ralph Lauren jumper – hidden away within the stock. While secondly, the money you spend will be used to benefit a worthwhile cause, such as cancer research, animal welfare or support for the elderly.
What's more, if you don't fancy going through the hassle of selling your clothes online, most charity shops will welcome a donation, provided the items you're giving away are in a sellable condition.
High street hits
As we've already mentioned, some shops on the high street are notoriously expensive – which immediately rules them out if you're trying to reduce the amount you spend on clothes each month. However, while some really put the R into RRP (that's 'recommended rip-off price'), one or two high street stores offer a welcome alternative to the norm.
H&M and Primark are two shops that have really cornered the market by selling everyday wardrobe staples such as T-shirts, jeans and jumpers for prices that other retailers simply cannot compete with. Sure, the queues will be ten times longer than those around the corner, but when you consider you could be paying only a fraction of the price, it's well worth the wait in line.
Vintage savings
Vintage shops are brilliant if you're the type of person that wants to remain as stylish as possible, while spending as little as possible in the process.
Packed full of throwback items such as corduroy shirts, denim jackets and flared Levi jeans, there's plenty of awesome gear up for grabs – so provided you don't mind spending a few minutes sifting through rails and rails of stock, going vintage is something that we'd definitely encourage!
For more creative money saving tips and ideas, take a look around our blog.