There might be affiliate links in this post. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. Read my disclosure policy here.
Guest Post by Oana Schneider
Life as a penny-pincher fashionista is hard.
Trying to keep up with trends and clothing lines is exhausting, especially when you don’t have a huge budget at your disposal (although dreaming of it never killed anyone!).
If you look online, you’ll see that most frugal sages suggest that you stock up on really important things, like food or detergent.
But for me, having new clothes beats pretty much everything else on the market.
Here’s How to Score Fashion Finds Like a Bargain Fiend
No matter how many articles I read saying otherwise, I know from my own experience the best time to get the most fashionable pieces of clothing. However, there are a few rules I follow when purchasing clothes:
-
Buy classic cut clothes that will still look good in ten years. Even if they aren’t purchased at a steep discount, the cost per wear will quickly help recoup what you spent. Here’s the thing: you won’t have to buy clothes as often if you purchase wisely.
-
When I feel the need to go for something crazy and funky every now and then, I make sure I don’t pay retail for it. While it’s fun to be up to the minute with fashion trends, it can get costly. Many times the items go out of fashion quickly, so shop with caution when it comes to trends!
-
I always look for coupon sites that could allow me to get a better price (I work for DontPayFull.com and use their coupons every time I shop online)
-
Never throw anything away – If I don’t like a sweater anymore, go online and exchange it for a cool skirt, for example. There are plenty of websites and blogs where you can do this. Make some cash selling your duds on RecycleYourFashions.com. You can always host a clothing swap. You can even keep the piece and discover a new way to wear it using Pinterest.
-
I make my own alterations and other adjustments, if necessary. Until a few months ago, I made my own clothes. I had a sewing machine and I would purchase exactly the fabric I wanted, but that took a long time. I’ve now switched to purchasing clothes from the thrift store and adding cool elements myself. Any old jumper looks better with a little custom bling, doesn’t it?
The Best Days to Buy Fashionable Clothes On a Budget
There are good and bad times to buy clothes throughout the year, if you’re looking for the best deals. If you’re in it for the long haul and want to stock up on quality, fashionable clothing without paying full prices, here’s when (and where) you need to look:
-
The end of every season: Most stores are trying to make room for the new season’s collections when the current season is ending, which means they will have really low prices on boots in the spring time and sandals in the fall. If you don’t mind waiting a few months before wearing these items, there is no reason not to give it a try! For example, I only buy winter clothes in March or even April, when the prices are really low and there’s basically no demand for them.
-
December, after the holiday rush: Post-holiday shopping is great for bargain-hunters. But be careful: the best merchandise is usually gone, so you have to browse through numerous ugly sweaters until you find one that you truly like.
-
Second-hand shops in the spring and fall: Thrift stores have sales too, especially before the holidays, before Easter and when the summer ends. When everybody else is looking for trench coats, you’ll buy affordable sun dresses, heels and pool gear!
In Conclusion
As Coco Chanel puts it, “You can be gorgeous at thirty, charming at forty and irresistible for the rest of our life.” You don’t have to spend a fortune to look great, use the tips mentioned and focus on where to put the extra money you save in your budget.