Last Updated on August 24, 2022
Contents
Learn How To Save Money On Clothes
Buying clothes can be a fun process, but it can be hard to save money for that activity. Shopping with your friends and trying on different pieces is something that many people enjoy. If you are into fashion you may love talking about the fabrics and design of clothes.
Clothes can be expensive, though. Whenever a new season arrives, you may think about renovating your wardrobe. That could cost you money, especially if you are into buying clothes from famous designers. You should count the different accessories and shoes in that budget as well. If you have a special event you may need to be flexible with your clothing budget.
With all the temptation out there, some tips could help you reduce your spending on clothes. If you are wondering how to save money on clothes, read on to find out how to succeed.
Shop Smarter
Every time you need to make a wardrobe update, follow the process outlined below. It involves three stages with different steps:
Making plans | Changing habits | Changing lifestyle |
|
|
|
These stages are great if you want to save money on clothes. They could change your whole process and lifestyle. Also, it is the perfect process for anyone who can’t save money. Eventually, you’ll enjoy buying clothes more because you know that you’re saving money.
Making plans is necessary before you go shopping. You need to check what you need so you don’t overspend on unnecessary items. A clothing budget helps you stay on track and not go over the limit.
Your habits when shopping are going to change with this process. Buying off-season will save you money because summer clothes tend to cost less if you buy them in winter. The same goes for winter clothes. Consider making it a habit to buy clothes in thrift shops or where they have discounts. Thrift shops usually sell used clothes for a lower price. Use every discount and coupon you can.
Remember that when you are shopping for clothes quality outranks quantity. If you buy something of low quality for less, it won’t last as long and you will have to buy similar clothing again, which doubles your spending. Quality items will last longer, saving you money in the long run.
To save money on clothes, you can also organize a clothing swap party with your friends. You can exchange pieces that you do not use anymore. You will renovate your closet while saving money.
Also, if you need something urgent, but can’t buy it right now, borrow it from your friends. Another option is to consider renting an outfit to wear for an event. There are different websites that offer this service. Renting may be a cheaper option.
When buying clothes make sure to buy something that works well with your other clothes. That way you can make more outfits without having to buy extra items. Something else you could do to save money on clothes is to learn how to sew. Basic skills are enough to help you save money on clothes. You can learn how to sew by:
- Attending local classes about sewing
- Attending an online course that teaches basic skills
- Asking a friend who knows how to sew to teach you the basics
Tips To Save Money On Clothes
On average people spend around $161 per month on clothes. That may not seem like much, but it can significantly affect your budget. To save money on clothes you can start implementing these tips:
- Do not follow trends
- Repurpose old clothes
- Sell what you do not wear anymore
- Do not be tempted by a sale
- Buy one quality swimsuit and stick with it
- Take advantage of the men’s and kid’s sections
Do not follow trends
Whenever there is a new fashion trend, stores take advantage to sell more and gain new customers. Try not to get swept up in trends that cause you to spend more money. If you want a specific piece of clothing, be creative. Improvise an outfit with a piece of clothing you already own.
Repurpose old clothes and DIY
If you have already learned how to sew or you are good with scissors, you can make changes to clothes you own. For example, if summer is heating up and you need a pair of shorts, cut your jeans to make some. The same goes for blouses and shirts. Make cute tops from old shirts. Use your creativity and save money at the same time.
Sell what you do not wear anymore
If your closet is full of pieces that you do not wear often or ever, sell them. There are a lot of stores and brands that buy old clothes to use the materials or to resell. Another option is to organize a garage sale and sell them there. You can also sell clothes online. There are various sites intended for this:
- Poshmark
- Tradesy
- The RealReal
- Mercari
Take photos of your clothes and upload them on the site with a price. Then you can expect offers and sell them. The good thing about selling clothes is that you can use that money to pay off any debt you owe. People have found creative ways to get out of debt. Selling old stuff, including clothes, is definitely one of those ways. You can also use debt payoffs to fix your credit score as fast as you can.
Do not buy because of a sale
If you are an addicted shopper, you may love buying sale items. Even if you do not need a piece of clothing, you buy it because of the sale. Make sure to cut down on this habit because it can cost you a lot of money. If you do not need that item, consider why you are buying it and whether or not it is worth it.
Buy one great swimsuit and stick with it
If you have a vacation planned, you might be thinking about buying a new swimsuit. Sound advice is to invest in one great, high-quality swimsuit, rather than a few cheap ones. The cheap ones cost you more in the long run since they aren’t as well made.
One quality swimsuit will last you for a few seasons if you take good care of it. Every time you wear it make sure to wash it well to remove lotion and sunscreen to save it from damage.
Take advantage of the men’s and kid’s sections
You might have noticed that men’s and kids’ clothing tend to cost less. If you can fit into a compatible size, explore the men’s and kid’s section. You can find suitable pieces for yourself there and save money.
Use Budget Methods to Save for Clothes
If you want to save for clothes in a specific season, consider purchasing them in advance. For that, you should also save in advance by budgeting your money. You could reduce other expenses and then use those savings for clothes. For example, to save on bills you can use the Half Payment Method. If you want to make a budget plan you can use one of these methods, or combine the two:
An average person with a monthly income of $2,000, can establish a budget for clothes of $300, for example. Then they can use the digital envelope system to designate the funds for clothes. It would look like this:
Envelopes | Amount |
New pair of jeans | $100 |
New shoes | $100 |
New shirt | $100 |
Trade Old Clothes for New
If you don’t like selling clothes and using the money to buy new items, try trading it in. Some stores do this. Make sure to research if there are stores like this in your area. If not, you can try this with some online sites.
For example, you can trade used Patagonia clothing that is in good condition. Then, they will give you credit to buy something from their retail stores.
How Much You Should Spend on Clothes
There are people that are obsessed with shopping for clothes. They spend hundreds, even thousands of dollars per month on clothes and accessories. That may make it difficult to stay within your means.
A general rule should be to spend only 5% of your monthly income on clothes. It depends on your monthly income. Let’s say you earn $3,000 per month. Then you would have about $150 per month to spend on clothes.
Fashion Apps That Save You Money
To save money shopping for clothes online, you can also use mobile apps. There are apps for everything these days. That includes shopping for clothes, too. Some of these apps are:
- Rent The Runway
- Shein
- threadUP
- Rue La La
Shein | threadUP | Rue La La | |
Rent designer clothes | Lots of discounts | Reselling from specific brands | Pieces from luxury brands |
For one time or subscribe to use an outfit various time | Free shipping promo | They check every piece of clothing thoroughly | Retail price next to discount price |
Easy to use with different categories | Express shipping option | Accessories available | Organized and easy to use |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where can you buy cheap clothes?
There are many stores where you can find cheap clothes. Keep in mind that quantity does not always mean quality. Be careful where you shop and what you buy. These stores will guarantee you quality for an affordable price:
- Nordstrom Rack
- H&M
- Zara
How can I save on clothes and still dress well?
If you want to save on clothes but still be able to dress well you need to be creative with your clothing. Buy basic pieces of clothes and combine them well. Make it look luxurious by adding a cool accessory. You can also shop for vintage clothes since they tend to look stylish. Be careful with colors and prints because if you do not coordinate them well they might not look as sophisticated as you’d like.
Where can I find stores that rent outfits?
To find stores that rent outfits, ask around or search for a local store online. You can also use Rent The Runway. They rent outfits for one-time use. Also, they have an option for you to subscribe and rent various outfits throughout the month. Tulerie app is another great app to rent clothes.
How can I save money fast for buying the necessary clothes?
To save money fast for buying clothes, sell your old wardrobe. Also, you can find a part-time job that allows you to use that income for clothes. Another option is to find a job in the fashion industry. Most of the time stores give their employees great discounts.
How long should your clothes last?
If you don’t take care of your clothes they will damage quickly. Usually, clothes should last around 15 years if you take good care of them. If you do not wash them the proper way they will fade away in less than 3 years. It would lead you to have to buy new clothes and spend more money.
Sources:
Better than new. Worn Wear. (n.d.). Retrieved July 27, 2022, from https://wornwear.patagonia.com/trade-it-in
Brock, A. C. (2022, June 20). Clothing swaps online: Do they still exist? budget FASHIONISTA. Retrieved July 27, 2022, from https://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/archive/clothing-swap-online/
From Cradle to Cane: The cost of being a female consumer. gender-pricing-study. (n.d.). Retrieved August 6, 2022, from https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/partners/gender-pricing-study.page
Gosker, N. (2020, March 6). How to keep clothes from fading. dealnews. Retrieved July 27, 2022, from https://www.dealnews.com/features/How-to-Make-Your-Clothes-Last-Longer/554888.html#:~:text=If%20you%20properly,Washington%2C%20D.C.
MaLee. (2020, April 24). 10 amazing apps to save money on clothes. This Blue Dress. Retrieved August 6, 2022, from https://thisbluedress.com/10-apps-save-money-clothes/
Martha. (n.d.). How much money do people spend on clothes a year? ICSID. Retrieved July 27, 2022, from https://www.icsid.org/uncategorized/how-much-money-do-people-spend-on-clothes-a-year/
The Christian Science Monitor. (2012, May 10). 23 ways to save money on clothes. The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved July 27, 2022, from https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Saving-Money/2012/0510/23-ways-to-save-money-on-clothes#:~:text=21.%20Shop%20the%20men%E2%80%99s%20and%20kids%E2%80%99%20section
The New York Times. (n.d.). How to take care of your clothes. The New York Times. Retrieved July 27, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/guides/tmagazine/how-to-take-care-of-your-clothes
Veurink, E. (2022, June 9). 13 brands that will buy back your used clothes. Byrdie. Retrieved August 6, 2022, from https://www.byrdie.com/fashion-brand-buy-back-programs-5324837