How to be fashionable on a budget

On the runways of Paris and Milan, money is no object, and designer brands are king. In the real world, high-end fashion is prohibitively expensive and few can afford it. The rest of us have to make do being fashionable on a budget. However, this throws up a myriad of problems. Clothes can be expensive at the best of times, especially clothes that are considered fashionable. Looking good on a budget can be tricky, but by using these tips, you’ll soon be looking your best no matter what your budget is.

Shop vintage

Do you know that vintage or second-hand clothing store in your city that you keep walking past but you’ve never set foot in? Next time you’re in the area, go in. Rifle through the racks and see what you can find. You never know, there may just be a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. There is a joy you experience when you find a great piece that fits you in a charity shop that just cannot be rivaled by buying something new. If you don’t find anything on your first try, go back a few weeks later. That’s the beauty of shopping at a vintage store; they get new pieces in all the time so there are always new gems to be found.

Avoid trends, invest in the classics

If you’re on a budget, don’t buy trendy or faddy clothing. While the hot new thing may be exciting, and something all of your friends are wearing, fashion trends often disappear as quickly as they appear. If you’ve spent big on a piece of clothing, only for it to go out of style a few months later, you’ve essentially wasted money. Meanwhile, the classics never go out of style. Buy tried and tested pieces that won’t go out of fashion to get the most value. You’ll get much more use out of pieces like this than you will out of the latest fashion.

Sell or swap

Selling your clothes to buy new ones, or swapping clothes with friends is a great way of restocking your wardrobe on a budget. Apps like Depop offer a platform for users to buy and sell clothes, and some users even make a living out of selling on the platform. You can also sell your unwanted clothes to a vintage shop, to give someone else the joy of finding that perfect piece for them on the rails.

Get a secondary income

Even with all the above tips, staying fashionable can be inescapably expensive. If you follow all of the above tips and are still struggling to achieve the looks you want, it’s worth looking for other sources of income. Getting into financial trading can be a great way to do this, as you can do it in your spare time outside of your day job. If you’re outside of the US and Hong Kong, CFDs can be particularly lucrative if done well. You can then spend your newfound disposable income on kitting out your wardrobe.