Style on a Budget: 11 Tips to Look Stylish without Breaking the Bank
Style is a crucial element to feeling your best and showing the world the best “you”, but getting your dream style can really add up. Whether you are looking for more pieces for your wardrobe or clothes that fit the latest trends, sometimes it feels like the only choice you have is to eat ramen for the month and get those dream boots.
But did you know there are plenty of ways you can look great without spending a lot? There are so many tips and tricks to save your budget AND get the style of your dreams. Not to mention, you are also being kinder to the environment by using some of these tips and keeping items out of landfills. Read on as we explore some great ways for you to have a stylish wardrobe without breaking the bank.
How to Look Fashionable on a Limited Budget
1. Develop a Capsule Wardrobe
So many stylish people are trying to pare down their style to be more “capsule wardrobe” friendly. Why? Because it is a great way to organize your closet and create a wardrobe you love and actually use.
But what does this mean exactly, and how can it work for you? A capsule wardrobe is essentially mixing basic pieces together with small accents that consist of seasonal or trendy pieces. As a result, you will have plenty of items that fit your personal sense of style, and you won’t have a hodgepodge closet full of wasted money and items you never know how to wear. This is what you need if you want to incorporate your sense of fashion into a smaller wardrobe without spending a lot of money.
And, if you’re new to this site, you might not be familiar with the plethora of capsule wardrobe information I have for you. Not only do I have capsule wardrobe and outfit guides for each season (updated every year), but I also have the tools to teach you how to build a capsule wardrobe yourself. You can find all the capsule wardrobe material, here.
And, you can sign up for my email list below and receive the free capsule wardrobe outfit guides!
2: Invest in Wardrobe Basics
Next on the list, investing in wardrobe basics. This is another great way to simplify your look while keeping it stylish at the same time. You should start with classic items such as a great pair of jeans, heels, and even a cute blazer. Then add in your favorite outerwear, such as a trench coat or a nice leather jacket. Finally, top it off with stylish accessories like the perfect pair of sunglasses and you will never go wrong.
Let me clarify! Having wardrobe basics does NOT mean your wardrobe will be boring! We just want to balance out our true basics, our non-basic interest pieces and our “costume” pieces as defined below.
Having a set of foundational wardrobe pieces will ensure that your wardrobe can easily mix and match with one another, and avoid a closet full of pieces you never wear. It’s like building a house, you need a strong foundation to be able to do all the fun design elements and ideas you envision.
And, if you need help finding those crucial pieces, I have a complete list of 12 wardrobe essentials and a guide to finding ones that match your style, here.
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3. Audit your Closet
Once you have pared down your wardrobe and simplified it with basics, it’s time to go through all of your pieces. If you are trying to save money on fashion, the first thing that needs to be done is an audit of your closet. You can do this yourself or even ask a friend to help.
This means going through every item and asking yourself if it fits into your lifestyle. If not, you should consider getting rid of it. Of course, this will be easier for some than others, so only get rid of the clothes that you do not need or want.