Budget Friendly Wardrobe Refresh: 5 Tips for Stylish Savings

This week’s question was from Jenn M. She asked,” How can I update my wardrobe without spending a ton?” If you’re feeling stuck in a fashion rut but don’t have the budget for a complete overhaul, don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many of us struggle to keep our wardrobes fresh and exciting without breaking the bank. I’m sharing five practical budget friendly wardrobe tips to help you update your style without sacrificing your savings.

Declutter and Donate

The first step to a refreshed wardrobe is to declutter. Go through your closet and try on everything. And I mean everything. Create four piles: keep, consign, donate, discard.

Keep items that are great closet staples (shirts, blouses, denim, sweaters, blazers). But resist the urge to keep things that you haven’t worn in awhile, thinking you will. I’ve done this, and rarely will those items ever get worn. I’d rather consign or donate items that no longer fit or that seem dated. This will create space for new pieces and help you see what you already have.

If you have items that are in really good condition, consider consigning these to earn some extra money to put towards new items you have your eye on. And for those items that are overly worn, stretched, stained or just have run their course, discard these.

Shop Your Closet

Before heading out to shop, take a closer look at what you already own. This is one of my favorite budget friendly wardrobe tips. Try mixing and matching different pieces in new ways. You might be surprised at how many fresh outfits you can create with what you already have.

I have a firm rule that for every piece that I add to my closet, one must go. And I am steadfast on this practice and have been for about 20 years. This started when I was living in NYC with limited space. And it’s a practice I still use to this day, even though my closet is a bit bigger.

Thrift and Consignment Shopping

Another budget friendly wardrobe tip is to start shopping thrift and consignment stores. They are treasure troves for affordable fashion finds. Take the time to browse and look for hidden gems. You might discover designer pieces at a fraction of the retail price.

I routinely score St. John pieces online at one of my favorite places to shop. And I am talking huge savings.

Take this coat I am wearing for example. I purchased this online (and I have attached the screenshot of this purchase). Description said excellent condition (pristine being the highest). Well, it arrived with the original price tag and it was clear it had never been worn. It retailed for $1295 brand new. I picked it up for $66. It can be hit or miss, but I rarely have gotten something I didn’t love. In those rare cases, I bring it straight to my consignment shop where I routinely receive more than what I paid.

Shopping consignment is how I score a ton of my designer finds for pennies on the dollar. Check out these St. John jackets and blazers that I found or these St. John Coats. You will see some really dated pieces BUT you will also find classic, timeless styles that can easily be incorporated into your wardrobe. This St. John pea coat is something that is classic. And it’s only $52. If someone doesn’t steal it, I will definitely be adding this to my cart. It’s too good to pass up. But there is no gatekeeping here; I share all my secrets and tips.

Rent or Borrow

Consider renting or borrowing clothes for special occasions or to try out new trends without committing to purchasing them. Many rental services offer a variety of options, from dresses to accessories. One that I routinely use and love is Rent the Runway. Several times a year I have a more formal event to attend and don’t want to spend a ton on a dress that I will most likely only wear once, maybe twice. So I rent them.

And, if I really want to try out a trend without committing, I rent the pieces first.

Alternatively, my girlfriends and I do a dress swap once a year. Everyone brings 3-5 dresses and we all try on and see what we like and borrow for upcoming events. We do this every December before holiday parties. Not only do you get to wear things you don’t have, but it is also a great way to spend time with your friends before the hectic holiday season starts.

Shop Sales and Discounts

Lastly, I am all about shopping sales. I rarely share anything here that isn’t on sale, unless it’s at a great price point normally. Sign up for my newsletter and follow me on social media to stay informed about promos, daily deals and where I have been shopping to score the best deals.

By following these budget friendly wardrobe tips, you can easily update your wardrobe without breaking the bank. Remember, style is about expressing yourself, it’s not about spending more than you have to or are comfortable with spending. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can create a stylish and affordable wardrobe that reflects your personal taste.

If you have a style question you would like for me to answer in a blog post, please submit it here.

Until next time,