Quality Clothing on a Budget | Family Economics

By Christina

Just because you’re on a budget, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. Here are a few ways you can look great and feel great about your budget, too.

Shop the end-of-season sales. The best time to buy clothing is always at the end of the season when stores are anxious to move out the old merchandise in exchange for the new season’s wardrobe. Buy your winter coats, sweaters and pants at the end of winter, and stock up on shorts, short-sleeved shirts and swimsuits just before fall rolls around.

Shop the overstocks online. Many online merchants offer exceptional deals in their outlet sections. Keep an eye out for free shipping offers and you’ll score some great deals without even leaving your house.

Shop at thrift stores. It takes a bit of hunting, but you can usually find quality, name brand clothing for just a few dollars at your local thrift stores. And chances are, if the item has made it to the thrift store and still looks great, it will look great for some time to come.

Participate in clothing swaps. Many communities and groups of friends are starting to hold clothing swaps where everyone brings clothing they no longer wear to trade with someone else for something they do want to wear. You can revamp your wardrobe for free.

Take care of your clothing. Be quick to treat stains before they become set-in, and learn how to do basic repairs like sewing on buttons and fixing tears. Avoid washing clothing too often, and consider line drying your clothing to make it last longer.

Pick a color scheme. When you’re on a budget, you don’t want to waste money on something you’ll only where once in a blue moon. Stick to a color scheme such as black, navy, gray or khaki, and you’ll be able to mix and match items in your wardrobe easily. Use less expensive accessories like scarves, belts or jewelry to change up the look.

Stick to classic styles. If you’re on a tight clothing budget, stay away from anything too trendy. Buy quality items that fit well, and they will last longer than the hottest fashions.

Shop in other departments. Shop in the men’s clothing department for big savings on basic t-shirts and athletic socks. If you’re petite, consider shopping in the children’s department. A friend of mine found a blouse in the girls department that fit her at just a fraction of the cost of the exact same blouse in the misses department.

Just remember this: Buy the best quality clothing you can afford. You’re not really being frugal if you have to keep replacing cheap clothing.