How to Save Money on Clothes

Did you know that the average American spends 1400$ on clothing every year? That amount of money might seem high, but it can even become higher if you can’t resist those gorgeous pair of designer shoes, or you buy cheap clothing items that wear out too quickly . So what would the best solution for that be? The thing is, you will need to make some tough decisions in order to start saving money on clothes. Here is a list of ideas on how to get started and make you save money in the long run.

1. Define your style and start looking into the essentials

You need to have a cohesive style with clothing items that match one another in order to get more wear out of them. The wardrobe staples are things that we all need to have in order to mix and match our outfits. There are plenty of minimalist bloggers and YouTubers that have articles and videos that might give you inspiration.

2. Buy clothes that fit your body “perfectly”

I know, there isn’t such a thing as perfection, but your clothes should fit your body as much as possible at the moment of purchase. I have bought in the past items items that didn’t fit very well in certain areas of my body and if my mom wouldn’t be so great with the sewing machine and fixed them for me, I would have never gotten around to taking them to the seamstress and get them fixed. Plus, that would cost even more money and you don’t want that.

3. Don’t spend too much money on an item that you will wear only once

You know I am talking about the dress you will wear at your friend’s wedding (or at prom for the younger ones) that you will forget about and bury it in your closet after the event. Try buying something beautiful that you could wear on different occasions or even better, try to rent a dress if a retailer near you offers the service. After all you will need it for just that one time and it would be better spending 50$ to wear it once, than 300$ and still wear it once or twice.

4. Buy the same item in different shades

If you have a pair of pants, or a shirt that fits you perfectly and you love the material, buy another one of a different shade or even of the same shade in case the first one is starting to wear out a little bit. This will save you the hustle of going out and searching for something new and you will only need to compare the prices on the different stores that sell it or just buy it on sale season.

5. Buy on Sale

I would advise you to go to the store as soon as the sales start, in order to find the size and colors that compliment your figure and that you like. I would be careful and make a list of the items that you need, in order to not get carried away and buy things just because they are on sale.

6. Choose Quality

Spend more on basics from good manufacturers. You can always add your own touch and add a few accessories to spice up the outfit. Go window shopping and even research online for a few days to find the brands that use good quality materials and good stitching. Justine LeConte is a YouTuber that has taught me a lot on how to distinguish good quality clothing from cheap one.

7. Don’t buy cheap shoes

A pair that smashes your toes or gives you blisters every time you wear them will consume your thoughts and harm your feet and that you will have to throw away in a few months. Consider investing in a couple of good quality ones that are comfortable but also don’t wear out so easily. One of my favorite brands of shoes is an Italian brand called Geox. They have a special design that let your feet breathe and are very comfortable. The price is at around 100$ for a pair, but I think it is worth it because they will last for years. I also tend to buy shoes at local artisans that have their small workshops. The prices are usually around 70$ for shoes and around 120$ or a bit more on boots. The quality is usually excellent.

8. Ask for a discount

If you’re shopping and see a stain that’s easily removed, such as powder or makeup, ask politely for a few more dollars off the item. Missing a few buttons or a faulty zipper can also earn you a discount. If you can manage to fix them yourself or don’t mind going to the seamstress I would advise to buy it.

9. Consider thrift shopping

I used to go thrift shopping more often when I was a teenager and I still have some items from then. You could find some hardly worn designer pieces for a fraction of the price. You will have to search a whole lot to find something that you really like, but it can also become fun if you consider it like a treasure hunt. However, if the item has an unpleasant odor or a deep-set stain, it’s probably best to move on. You could go to Goodwill or even buy online on websites like Ebay or Thredup

10. Don’t focus too much on trends

The fashion cycle is getting shorter all the time. Did you know that Zara and other fast fashion brands have only two week cycles. This is a technique they use in order to make you buy the item immediately because you might not find it next time you go there. This is not only bad for your pockets, but also has a horrible impact on the environment and sweatshop workers in developing countries, where these items are produced. As I said above start with the essentials and try to play with the accessories like hats, scarves or jewelry.

Keep in mind:
This is only a sample.

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11. Preserve your clothes

Once you’ve bought your clothing, how do you make the most of it? A few simple strategies like the ones below can help your favorite items last a little longer so that you will not need to replace them so often. Wash your clothes according to the instructions on the label. Giving the loose buttons a new stitch. Folding you knitwear instead of hanging it. Wearing undershirts to protect the shirts from sweat stains. Don’t over-wash. Treat stains immediately before they set. Try air drying instead of the dryer.