Staying fashionable can be difficult when you have a budget to stick to, so we’ve collected some of our favourite ways to be stylish for less to help you make the most of your wardrobe.
One of the easiest ways to ensure you look your best on a budget is to pick several key pieces that can be swapped and changed with each other and your accessories – otherwise known as a “Capsule Wardrobe.” This prevents you from shopping each season as you already have a versatile wardrobe with all the essentials you need. We suggest a pair of black trousers, blue jeans, plain t-shirts in white, black, and grey, a neutral jumper, a blazer, a miniskirt, a day dress, and a coat. These are great bases for many outfits, but a capsule wardrobe contains around 30-50 pieces, so feel free to build from the basics to suit your style.
Mixing and matching patterns is difficult if you’re not a fashion expert. You must balance colours, pattern size, and pattern types to make it look fashionable. Otherwise, you could end up looking a bit chaotic. To make patterned clothes look more expensive, pare them back with basics. For example, if you’ve got a bright patterned blouse you want to wear, pick a colour from the shirt and use this block colour to accessorise. If your patterned shirt is black and white, pair it with black or white trousers and shoes in the same colour. By accessorising your patterns well, you’ll make the piece look far more expensive than it was!
It’s always tempting to buy something new when you have an event coming up but buying for specific events may mean it’s not a piece you’ll wear again. To save yourself money in the long run, try to buy versatile, dressier pieces that can be used for various occasions. This could be a classic little black dress, a pair of tailored trousers, or a satin shirt – each can be dressed up or down with other garments and accessories to create a look ideal for most events.
Gather all the pieces you don’t wear and attend or host a local swap event. You can search the internet for a Clothes Swap event in your area or host one with friends, family, and co-workers. The purpose of the swap is to find new pieces from others that will fit your style and wardrobe whilst getting rid of clothes cluttering your closet. You might be able to leave the event with a whole new outfit without spending any money since you brought clothes to donate yourself.
One way to make an outfit look brand new is to accessorise it well with a few key pieces, like a capsule wardrobe. A smart-looking watch, jewellery in gold and silver tones, and belts with gold and silver buckles are all brilliant staples. If you have silver zips in a jacket, consider accessorising with silver jewellery to create a subtle, cohesive look. If you’re wearing your basic clothes, you can dress them up with statement earrings or a necklace for a modern feel.
If you're looking for more fashion inspiration, you can browse our Clothing Department or explore the other articles below.
