Find out how to save on your favourite everyday looks with these budget style tips.
Focus on Staples First Before spending money on anything else, make sure you have staple work pieces in your wardrobe and select a few pieces that will work with what you already own.
De-Clutter and Organise By cleaning and organising your wardrobe you can easily determine the items you really need to buy for yourself. Categorize your clothes into dresses, blouses, jackets, skirts, pants, etc. to find out which types of clothing you need more. Keep casual and workout clothes separate. It is indeed easier to look for clothes and dress up when your options are clearly categorized.
Don’t Follow Every Trend This may sound counterintuitive, but it isn’t necessary to wear every trend that’s breaking ground this season. All you need is one or two items to stay up to date.
Trust Your Instincts and Save Money . Many of us latch onto a look because magazines and stores tell us it’s what we should buy, even if we’re not fond of it. Falling prey to a trend just because it’s “happening” can be costly. If it ends up stashed in your closet, it’s a waste of money. To remedy this problem, follow your instincts.
Invest in a Pair of Flats To save money, you don’t have to go out and buy endless pairs of flats, just invest in some daytime and evening ones, ensure they’re comfortable and you won’t be able to resist wearing them with any outfit which will ensure you wear them out by the end of summer!
Colour coordinate It’s easier to make dressing decisions in the early hours of the morning if your wardrobe staples mix and match easily. When you shop, decide what colours look best on you – again, using neutral colours as your foundation – and build around those. If you have a basic background in colours like black, grey or navy, you can easily add pops of colour.
Set a Monthly Style Budget Every month you receive your paycheck, you will withdraw a set amount and put it in an envelope marked “My Awesome Style Budget”.
Accessorise One of the things that changes the most from season to season is accessories. If your accessories are on trend, what you’re wearing with them won’t matter as much. Splurge on a new bag, scarf, or pair of shoes to bring your wardrobe into the new season.
Cheap Clothes Can’t Be Stylish (False belief) You think cheap clothes can’t be stylish, because you assume they’d be more expensive if they were — which seems like a logical conclusion. Assuming stores would charge more for their most stylish clothes makes sense, but style doesn’t decide the price. Consumers decide the price.
Document favourites Each time you put together an outfit that you just love, take a picture of it. Apps such as Cloth will organize them for you as well, so that when you’re running late or at a loss for style, you can look back at outfits that made you look great and you already own. Make sure to snap accessories, nails, make-up – anything that will be a reminder of a haute look in a pinch.
Updating your Summer Office Attire doesn’t have to send you spiralling into the brink of bankruptcy. Pick up pieces that you will enjoy not only this summer, but the next as well. Refreshing your work wardrobe for a new season can seem overwhelming and expensive. However, if you stick to investing in just a few key items that you can mix and match with what’s already in your wardrobe, it’s a snap!
My only rule? Don’t buy it unless you LOVE it. If you don’t love it in the store, there is little chance you will when you get home.
What are your favourite go-to pieces for summer? What is your best trick for building a cheap work wardrobe?
