As we know all too well, being broke isn’t an excuse not to be stylish. You might not believe it, but it’s true. Being fashionable has nothing to do with how much money you have, it’s all about how you shop.
While you might not be able to shop at the most expensive stores, looking a-m-a-z-i-n-g is within reach. To ensure that you get your fashion fix even when money is tight, we have put together some handy shopping tips, below:
Become a Thrift Queen
Don’t be embarrassed to have to buy your clothes second-hand. There is nothing wrong with buying clothing second-hand, it’s an awesome way to save money.
While you can shop at thrift stores and yard sales, it’s best to buy second-hand online. Sites like Ebay and Vinted are the best places to get second-hand clothes as you can search for what you want. The best thing about Vinted is that you can even swap your old clothes for ‘new’ clothes, instead of paying for them.
Headed to NYC? Read about our favorite thrift stores in Bushwick, Brooklyn here.
Swap Clothes w/ Friends
If you have friends who wear the same size clothes as you and like the same style as you, why not swap clothes with them? Swapping clothes is an amazing way to expand your wardrobe and stay looking up to date, without spending any money.
Don’t Buy Cheap Clothes
Apart from the basics, like underwear, socks, vests, etc., don’t buy cheap clothing. It might be less expensive, but one, it won’t last, and two, it will look cheap (most of the time). Buying your basics from discount stores is one thing, but buying your entire wardrobe from there is another.
If you want your clothing to last, then aim only to buy good quality clothes. It might be tempting to get everything from discount stores, but in the long-run it will end up costing you more.
Make the investment slowly. When you’re able, buy that top or pair of jeans you’ve been lusting over. After about a year, you’ll have a wardrobe with high-quality staples that will last, and last.
Stay Up-to-Date on Sales
The best way to get good-quality, fashionable clothing is by shopping the sales. You can either do this online or in-store, both options are fine. The best thing about sales is that you can shop in stores that are usually too expensive. For instance, Zara, that can be found at http://www.pittstreetmall.com.au/shop/zara.html, always has various sales on, so is worth a look.
To ensure that you don’t miss any sales, sign-up for email updates for all your favorite stores. You can also sign up for email updates from your mall so that you know when your favorite stores have a sale. You could also download an app.
While staying in style while broke can be a little more difficult, it’s not impossible. There are plenty of ways you can keep yourself looking good even when money is tight, as mentioned above. How do you ace the Broke & Chic life? Let us know in the comments below!
*Featured image via Maegan Tintari. // This article was contributed.
