Ways to Stretch Your Clothing Budget

Click HERE to see links to some of my previous posts from this series.

I know I’ve been talking a lot about clothing budgets lately, but today I wanted to come full circle by sharing some ideas on how to save money on clothing.  Once you realize you need to have a clothing budget and work on determining what it should be, then it’s time to get out there and stick to it!  The good news is that no matter how small your clothing budget is, there are lots of ways to save.

1.  Buy used

Before I quit work to stay home with my kids, the thought of buying used clothes never occurred to me.  I’ll be the first to admit that my preference will always be for buying clothes with the tags on, but I have realized that you can find some amazing prices on used clothing.  

Consignment sales are a great place to find gently used clothing for very good prices.  I shop consignment quite a bit for my children, but have started to visit some women’s consignment sales for myself as well.  You have to dig and sometimes they can be overwhelming, but you can find some great brands at fantastic prices if you are patient. 

Thrift stores are another option for used clothes.   In my experience, not every thrift store is created equal.  Some thrift stores are poorly organized and tend to have outdated styles, but there are some that have really nice brands and current trends.  It may take some time to see which thrift stores are worth your time, but they are a great option.

Yard sales can also be a great place to find clothes for pennies on the dollar.  Since the selection at yard sales will be all over the place, you are likely to find things at totally random times.  Just keep your eyes peeled all year round and you can snag up some great items at great prices.

I don’t have personal experience with ThredUp, but I’m hearing great things about them.  They are an online consignment store where you can buy and sell used clothing.  From what a friend has shared with me, you can find some great deals on high-end clothes and they offer free returns if you purchase through their mobile app.  Once I’m out of maternity clothes, I’m definitely going to check them out!

2.  Buy new clothes strategically

I posted about this specific topic a few weeks ago, so I won’t repeat everything again today.  But, the truth is that you can find some great deals on new clothing if you keep your eyes peeled on sales and shop at the end of the seasons.  Check out my full post HERE for more specifics on how to snag new items for much less than sticker price!

  

3.  Stick to the basics

I’m starting to realize that we Americans have way too many clothes!  If the size of the closet in my 1940’s house is any indication, then we have a lot more clothes than previous generations.  While there is nothing wrong with buying clothes if you can afford them, I’m convinced that we need a lot less than what we actually think.  

If your clothing budget is limited or you just want to simplify your purchasing, make a list of some wardrobe staples for each season {which may be based on your specific clothing needs} and make sure you stick to those items first and foremost when you are shopping.  You might start with basic items in basic colors and then consider using accessories {like jewelry or scarves that can often be cheaper} to add some more excitement or a pop of color.  Once you have the essentials, then you can always add some special pieces as your budget allows.       

You might find that your problem isn’t that you don’t have enough clothes, but that you need some new ways to wear what you already have.  Pinterest has been a huge inspiration to me!  Try to think outside the box and find new combinations with the items you already own.     

4.  Clean out your closet periodically
It’s a great idea to routinely go through your closet and pull out items that you are no longer wearing.  If you could use the extra cash, then sell them and use the money for things you actually need.  It’s a great way to keep your closet under control and to help you fund your clothing budget!

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