For the Frugal Fashionista: Filling Your Closet Without Looking Frumpy

Although not everyone enjoys clothes shopping, the fact is, we all must wear clothing. If you love to stay on top of the latest styles but are on a tight budget, here are some smart tips for cutting costs without looking frumpy.

Determine Your Personal Style

Think about how you like to dress each day. Instead of buying several inexpensive items that you probably won’t wear, just to save money, consider buying one or two of the higher-priced fashions you know you will enjoy wearing every day. The point is to make sure everything you own is something you are going to wear often.

Assess What You Already Own

Once you have cleared out your closet or dresser drawers, look at what you have remaining and ask yourself the following questions:

• Are there too many things of one color? Consider adding variety to your wardrobe by trying out new colors you haven’t worn in the past. If you aren’t sure about that, start with scarves and belts of another hue.
• Are there too many things of one style? If you find you have a ton of blue jeans, but not many skirts or dresses, you’ll want to add a few new pieces to make your wardrobe more versatile.
• Are there shoes to go with every outfit and for every season? If all you seem to have are tennis shoes, you may want to invest in some dress shoes for special occasions or boots for the wet season.
• Are there any articles of clothing that are difficult to clean or care for? Get rid of anything you find you don’t wear often because it’s too hard to wash or constantly needs ironing.
• Are there items that haven’t fit for a long time? Get rid of any clothing that is too small or just doesn’t seem to fit you right. They are just taking up space.

Sell, Swap or Toss It

Take a close look at your clothes and get rid of anything you haven’t worn in at least a year. By clearing out the items you never wear, you will have a better idea of your personal style. Once you have determined the types of clothing you like the best, save the items you like, and get rid of the rest.

You can sell your nicer, newer items by having a yard sale or online at websites like eBay. There are websites that focus on selling shoes or handbags, so do a browser search depending on what you want to sell. If you have a Goodwill or Savers store nearby, consider donating some of your unwanted items. You can get a tax break for clothing donations, and stores like Savers offer discount coupons when you donate a certain number of items.

Always Go for the Classics

As mentioned before, the classics will never go out of style. Avoid the latest fads, which you won’t be able to wear for more than a season. Instead, look for classic fashions you can wear all the time, mix and match, and accessorize, such as:  

• A little black dress
• Woolen or cotton blazers
• Cardigan and pullover sweaters
• Leggings in various colors
• Tunics
• Pencil skirts
• Dark skinny jeans
• Brown or black leather boots

Remember, you can be more fashionable by purchasing fewer items, so you can focus on wearing the clothes you feel confident and comfortable wearing. Choose a few colors you like and that look best on you to make it easier to combine pieces and create outfits. Once you have a list of the items you want to add to your wardrobe, here are some additional ways to cut clothing costs:

• Shop the clearance rack. Most stores have at least a few towards the back of the building. If you can’t find one, ask.
• Go to thrift stores. As mentioned previously, places like Savers and The Salvation Army offer designer and classic items at a discount.
• Shop at the end of each season. Timing is everything. If the warm weather is coming, shop for winter coats and boots on clearance. Buy shorts and bathing suits at the end of the summer instead of at the beginning.
• Watch for clearance and warehouse sales. Most stores have sales on the same days of the week, so if you have a favorite store, watch for them. If you enjoy online shopping, look for websites that offer warehouse sales, like Style Democracy, for example, where you can find fashions selling below the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices.
• Create a clothing budget and stick to it. Look at your finances to determine how much you can spend on clothing each month. If you have trouble sticking to your budget, leave your credit cards at home and bring cash with you when shopping. Bringing a shopping buddy who will hold you accountable can help you stick to your budget.

You can look and feel great each day by focusing on the fashions that you love the most. By watching for sales and shopping for classics, your wardrobe will serve you right. Get rid of what you don’t wear and start focusing on your favorites today.

Grayson Miller is Vice President of StyleDemocracy Inc., and the director of the company’s content production division, spearheading the company’s Online growth and development by driving engagement via the StyleDemocracy blog, social media properties. Grayson has also helped to grow the StyleDemocracy brand, from being a warehouse sales event company, to an warehouse sales event management and marketing organization with multiple digital platforms.