Whether your waistline has changed and you need a new wardrobe, or you have an upcoming interview that requires some new threads, there is no need to break the bank when it comes to purchasing new clothes! There are plenty of ways to save money and still be fashionable.
When it comes to how to save money on clothes, you’ve come to the right place! This article is full of ways to save money both when shopping, and after you have your clothes safely in your closet! Check out my 22 Tips and Tricks for Saving Money on Clothes!
1. Embrace the Minimalist Trend
Millennials have become more and more obsessed with minimalist fashion, and for good reason. No, I’m not talking about skimpy, I’m talking about owning less clothes in general. How many times have you opened your closet, only to sigh in exasperation that you have, “nothing to wear”?
This can send you on a shopping spree, where you end up spending more money on more things you won’t wear either. Enter the minimalist trend. People are finding solace in cutting down their wardrobe from hundreds of items, down to significantly less items.
This number varies from person to person, and only you can decide what is right for you. I’m not saying to throw out your entire closet, but ask yourself what fits and what you actually wear often. And, making a minimalist wardrobe can be fun.
Once you see that you actually have what you need (or, you don’t need to purchase as much as you think), you can save money by not spending on something you won’t wear!
2. Shop at Second Hand Stores
People outgrow perfectly good clothes every year or have seasonal purges – why not take advantage of those donations to second hand and thrift stores? You can find really good deals on gently used clothing, many of which are designer brands and still stylish.
When you can buy nice, gently used, name brand clothes at a fraction of the price, that is a great way to save money on clothes! Shop thrift and second hand stores to save some major moolah! And on that note…
3. Trade in current clothes for discounts
When shopping at second hand or thrift stores, take some that you’re willing to donate for the possibility of a discount! There are many stores locally and online that will accept your trade-ins for a discount on a future purchase.
Even retailers like Madewell and North Face will accept used clothing of any brand and provide you with a discount on their items. You get to help the environment and reduce waste while also saving money on new clothes! That’s a winning situation, my friend.
4. Rent Clothing instead of Buying
If you find that you only need high end or special pieces of clothing once in a blue moon, why not consider renting your clothes? Companies like Nuuly and Rent the Runway allow you to rent, and include shipping labels and take care of dry cleaning.
Rent the Runway even allows you to rent without a monthly subscription at fairly reasonable prices. This means you no longer have buyer’s remorse for an outfit you will only wear once anyway. Look into renting clothes to see if it scratches your itch for something new.
5. Only Buy Versatile Pieces
The next time you see that shirt you just have to have, ask yourself if it’s versatile. If you buy an item of clothing you can only wear one way, you’re going to have to spend more money in the long run to fill in the gap for other items.
Before you buy, ask yourself if it can be worn for work, casually with friends, and if you can dress it up for a night out on the town. If you can’t wear that item in more than one category, it definitely will not help you save money on clothes!
6. Wear your Clothes More Often
If you are eyeing your items in your closet with disdain because they are “so last season”, you need to think again, friend! Or, if you refuse to wear that pastel sweater because it’s not spring, you are selling your clothes short of their capabilities!
If your goal is to save money, wear your clothes more often! This means from season to season, as well as more frequently in your weekly or monthly rotation. You may soon find you don’t need as many clothes that you think you do!
7. Wash your Clothes Less Often
After you begin to wear some of your clothes more frequently, you can also cut down on washing them as often. If you automatically throw your clothes in the hamper at the end of the day, but all you did was commute or sit at a desk, you’re washing them too much!
Frequent washing (hello, spin cycle!) can wear down your clothes faster and accelerate fading. Plus, you have to contend with shrinkage. Unless it’s underwear or sweaty gym clothes, give it a sniff, and hang it up to air out. Your clothes – and your wallet – will thank you!
8. Mind the Clothing Tag
When purchasing clothes, make sure you check the tag before you buy! That blouse may be killer, however, that dry cleaning will kill your wallet! If you want to save money on clothing, refrain from buying items that have special cleaning instructions.
And if you do have some favorites that require special cleaning, see how you can clean them at home, first, before considering a professional cleaner. You’d be surprised at how well steaming, spritzing with vodka or spot cleaning can get those clothes! Save your money by DIY dry cleaning!
9. Shop the End of Season Sales
If you want to get some amazing deals on clothes, check out stores in person or online when they are changing out the seasonal line. Those clothes have to go somewhere, and more than likely, there’s still a few weeks left where that sweater can be worn into spring.
Obviously, don’t buy them for the sake of buying them, but you can usually find deals 50% off or more on seasonal sales, and may even be able to combine them with other discounts. Common times to check them out are January, March, June, and October.
10. Buy On Clearance and have them Altered
Since I had a limited budget for my Senior Prom, you can imagine my excitement when I found a pretty awesome dress in the clearance section two sizes too big. Why, you ask? Because I got a deal, and I got it altered to fit me like a glove!
Don’t write off the clearance section, especially sizes that are close to yours but could be altered. Whether this be having pants hemmed, or sleeves taken in, there are a variety of alterations a professional tailor can do, and usually for a reasonable price!
11. Save your Splurges for Staple Pieces
Is there anything worse than buying the same basic piece multiple times because you skimped on quality and it didn’t last like you thought it would? For staple pieces you may be able to save more money in the long run by splurging on staple pieces.
The higher quality they are, the more likely they are to last. Pieces like a little black dress in a classic design will last you for years, as well as a nice, sturdy coat. When they’re top quality, you only need one! Save money by making it count.
12. Repair Clothes Yourself
Whether it be a shoe shine kit, or simple needle and thread, there are some basic repairs you can do yourself to save money on clothes. No need to throw out your pants for a rip in the hem or a missing button! Sew it yourself!
The same goes for items like a sweater shaver that can have your old, pilling sweater looking as good as new in no time! Try to repair your clothes if you can before discarding, to stretch out their lifespan and save your money for more important things.
13. Store your Clothes Properly
If you’re hanging your clothes up at the end of each day, I applaud you! However, make sure those clothes are meant to be on hangers before stretching out the shoulders. If light and stretchy fabrics are meant to be folded, take care to store them properly.
Your clothes will last longer and keep the shape they’re intended to have!
14. Take advantage of BOGO and other Sales
If you have a favorite clothing store that has your back time after time, chances are you’re checking them out frequently. Save money on clothes by stocking up on Buy One, Get One sales or any heavily discounted events they may have.
It is important to remember that you should limit your purchase to items that can be worn in different ways, and that you absolutely love. Bonus points from me if you can mix and match all of the items in your cart!
You may find you spend less money on clothes by only buying the ones that fit you that just happened to be on sale, but don’t go overboard!
15. Pause before you Buy
Another way to save money on clothes is to not buy them right away. Remember, you may only want to buy that new shirt because of emotional reasons or a really talented marketing team. Remind yourself you can walk away and buy it later if it still feels important.
The same goes for online shopping. Don’t worry about abandoning your cart! You may soon see that much of your shopping is emotional, and in pausing, you’re able to save money by not continuing to make impulse purchases!
16. Check out your Warehouse Club
Did you know that warehouse clubs like Costco sell clothes, too? You can find some amazing deals on name brand and store brand clothes at your local warehouse club. And, these aren’t your grandma’s elastic waistband pants!
You can find everything from shoes to undergarments to jeans at warehouse clubs at great prices. Save money on clothes by purchasing from your warehouse club.
17. Use Coupons every time you Shop
It’s a no-brainer, but one worth mentioning — when you shop for clothes, look for a coupon every time! Websites like Koopy.com take the legwork out of saving money by finding the coupons for you! Using coupons lets you stretch your dollars further, getting more clothing for your buck!
18. Keep Clothes Stain Free
It’s easy to get caught up in running errands after work, bouncing from your kid’s soccer practice to cooking dinner, all while still wearing your nice work clothes, but don’t do it! Aim to keep your clothes stain free by ensuring they’re appropriate for the activity you’re doing.
If you’re cooking, make sure to wear an apron and take your time when eating to try and avoid food stains on the front of your clothes. The longer you can keep your clothes stain free, the less you will have to spend on replacing them.
19. Choose your Fabrics Wisely
When purchasing clothes, make sure you choose fabrics that are easy to clean, won’t bleed when washed, and can be air dried, if possible. The less machine cleaning involved, the longer those fabrics may last. Spend less money on clothes by choosing cheaper fabrics like cotton.
20. Ignore Trends and Fast Fashion
Another reason we tend to spend too much on clothes is by buying trendy pieces that we may be embarrassed to wear for years to come. These items usually stand out in color or cut and are difficult to mix and match with what else may be in your closet.
As tempting as it may be, if you want to save money on clothes, stay away from trendy pieces, or if you must, try to buy them second hand. Remember, some of these trends promote fast fashion, which results in cheaply made and environmentally unfriendly clothes! Don’t do it!
21. Take Advantage of the Holidays
If you really want to save money on clothes, the holidays (or even Black Friday), are great times to stretch your money out. Why not ask for a gift card (or cash) to your favorite clothing store and pair it with a sale that comes after the holidays?
Or, pick up a few things marked down for Black Friday. You may be able to fill out your wardrobe for a minimal spend!
22. Use Rewards Programs at your Favorite Stores
If you have a favorite store that consistently has clothing that fits you like a glove and goes with just about everything, consider rewards programs to make the most of your shopping. Get insider deals and take advantage of sales for rewards members.
Whether it be a department store like Belk or a retailer like Banana Republic, using tips and tricks along with rewards points and discounts can help you save money when shopping for clothes!
FAQs on How to Save Money on Clothes
What is the best way to save money on clothes?
Using coupons and only shopping when you need to are great ways to save money on clothes, as well as taking good care of the ones you already have by cleaning them properly.
How do I get a lot of clothes with no money?
The best place to get the biggest bang for your buck is to shop for clothes at second hand or thrift stores. Pro tip: go to thrift stores near you that are near high-end neighborhoods – you’re likely to find more name brand clothes.
How do you spend money wisely on clothes?
Spend money wisely on clothes by asking yourself if it is a need, or something you can wear often and for years to come. It’s ok to spend a lot on a quality item if you know you can get a lot of use out of it.
How much should I spend on clothes per month?
Honestly, it varies from person to person, but you should not necessarily aim to spend money each month on clothes, unless you have had a change in size and need a new wardrobe. Make sure other financial necessities are taken care of first!
Conclusion
You really can look great and save money on clothes by spending your money wisely and getting the most use out of the items you already have. Stay away from expensive trends and fast fashion, and buy classic pieces that will last for years to come.
And, don’t forget, Koopy.com has coupons and information on how to get the most of your favorite clothing brands!
