How to dress well on a budget (best 21 tricks)

Winner, do you want to dress well on a budget?

Wait. First, is that even a thing? Dressing well on a budget?

The answer is yes! You can definitely dress well on a budget. And I’m about to teach you how.

Just know this: it takes some planning. Creativity. And patience as you figure out what works and what doesn’t.

That’s why I recommend that, you start building an abundance mindset RIGHT NOW.

Because you’ll agree with me that you feel more in control of your life on those days when you’re dressed up versus days when you’ve just thrown on whatever you could find.

Now, imagine getting that ‘I’m in control’ feeling every single day.

I know. I know. I still sense your dilemma.

Because your budget is already tight enough. How do you even work dressing well into it? Wouldn’t that be a waste of your hard-earned money?

Well, clothes are your basic need. And they’re already a part of your budget. Maybe not your monthly budget. But still, a part of your budget.

So, I’m not suggesting that you do anything extraordinary here. No.

Instead, I’m suggesting putting a little bit more thought into what you already buy.

That way, you get the most value out of your hard-earned money.

In fact, the tricks presented in this post are some of these 130 genius frugal living tips.

Interested, aren’t you?

Well good, because here’re:

21 tricks to dress well on a budget

Trick #1: Define your style

This trick is the key that unlocks the whole adventure; knowing what your style is.

Does it have to be your current style? No. You could be on a completely different style right now.

What’s important here in transitioning from your current style to your desired style, is a strong desire for the new style.

Let me tell you about my style.

I like the classic elegant kind of style.

No flamboyancy. No loud statement pieces. Just a muted look consisting of a few staples.

I know. it might sound boring to some. But I love it.

It’s timeless. And classy. And allows me to put forth my amazing but intangible qualities.

Winner, what’s your desired style?

Trick #2: Repair your own clothes

I’m lucky to have learned how to sew at a very young age.

So, I’ve been sewing in my own buttons. And patching up my own tears, for as long as I can remember.

Good news: sewing is not that hard to do.

All you need is some practice. Dedication. And patience.

And it saves you a lot of money in the long run.

Trick #3: Choose quality over quantity

I used to be guilty of opting for quantity over quality.

I thought the more, the better.

Only now, I understand that quality beats quantity anytime.

Because a few high quality pieces will carry you farther than many less quality pieces you have to replace every other year.

Trick #4: Choose quality over price

Does price indicate quality? That’s a question that most people ask.

What do you think, Winner?

Because I say to some extent, a high quality item will cost you more than a low quality item, in terms of money.

But there’s a difference between paying for the quality. And paying for the extras like the name (brand), which tends to happen with most branded items.

With these famous brands, you’re paying hefty for the name, above the quality.

Which is why you’d do well to focus more on the quality of the fabric, than on the brand behind the piece of clothing.

Because you can get high quality clothes at reasonable prices.

Trick #5: Avoid fast fashion/trends

This is a big one if you want to dress well on a budget.

Because you don’t want to go with every street style that’s in today.

Why? Simply because fast fashion goes in and out of style.

Do you want to go out of style? Obviously not.

Who wants a closet full of clothes that are so ‘last year’?

Trick #6: Choose versatile pieces

Here, I’m talking about pieces you can mix and match to create completely new looks every time.

These pieces tend to be in neutral colors. And they are plain (without many built-in embellishments such that you can accessorize them).

Some examples of versatile pieces are black pants and/or jeans, turtlenecks, white shirts, etc.

Trick #7: Choose timeless pieces

This is the solution to the fast fashion dilemma.

It’s going timeless with pieces that you can wear today AND still look amazing in them 30 years from now.

Think white plain shirt, black pencil skirt, trench coat, minimalist bag.

Trick #8: Know your stores

You should shop around to see which stores have some or most of the clothes yu’re looking for.

Then gravitate toward those stores when it’s time to buy new clothes.

For example: I have a shop where I buy my jeans.

And another store where I buy my turtlenecks. And blazers.

I have yet another store where I buy my shoes. And handbags.

There’s no rule that says you can’t visit other stores. Of course you can!

But be sure to look into your stores first.

Trick #9: Buy on sale

Once you know your stores, now’s the time to familiarize yourself with issues like:

For example: at a store where I buy my jeans, every month end, they usually have 20% off if you buy 2 pairs of jeans.

That’s a bargain.

Trick #10: Buy locally

I know. Some people get a kick out of saying they ordered something all the way from China to Africa.

And OK, that might sound sophisticated.

But have you ever thought about the cost implications of buying offsore? Or at a store that’s far from you?

I mean the cost implications for you?

Well, let me enlighten you: you pay for the logistics of bringing that item to you.

So then, how can you reduce such costs? Or eliminate them altogether?

Buy locally.

And you not only save your money. But your environment, too.

Trick #11: Shop from the garbage

Yes. I said it.

And yes. It’s gross. But hear me out.

Can you honestly think back to a time you threw something out? Even if it wasn’t fit for the trash.

Because I know I have.

And for those unimportant reasons, good clothes get thrown away all the time.

But this is where you come in: you turn other people’s trash into your treasure.

Trick #12: Make your own clothes

Even if you’re not a seasoned tailor. Or you’ve never even handled a sewing machine before,

you can make some clothes for yourself. Yes, from scratch.

For example: I’ve made a necklace choker from a hat that I once owned but immensely disliked.

As well as headwraps from some of my mom’s torn dresses.

Trick #13: Accept hand-me downs

I know people who just won’t accept hand-me downs because, well, they’re not a charity project.

I’m not either. But I’ll gladly take hand-me downs any day.

In fact, a lot of my wardrobe is hand-me downs from my sister.

It’s perfectly good clothes.

And she gave them to me because they were too small for her. Not because she thought so little of me that she’d give me her old clothes.

And by the way, they’re still in very good condition.

Here’s what you need to remember if you want to pass an item of clothing to someone else:

make sure it’s in good condition. The kind of condition that you’d deem appropriate to wear.

If it’s not, then throw it out.

Trick #14: Rent clothes

This is one trick I’ve never tried before. Have you?

But I love it. Because it just makes sense.

I mean, imagine you have a wedding to attend (I do, in March).

Instead of opting out because you have nothing to wear (like I did), you can just borrow something to wear instead.

You can rent it either out of the store that does that. Or out of people in the community.

Come to think of it. If you have fancy items you think people will fancy, why not rent them out? That’s an extra source of income, right?

Trick #15: Know how to accessorize

If you want to dress well on a budget, then accessories are your friend.

Because even a simple pair of earrings bringing a glimmer to your dark outfit, or a belt synching your waist, can elevate your outfit.

All you need to know is how to choose timeless, classy accessories.

Trick #16: Borrow from friends

Here we’re hoping a friend will be willing to lend you their clothes. Instead of renting them out to you.

(If they insist you can only rent them out, don’t be angry with them.)

But if you can borrow something from a friend free of charge. Or at very little cost. Then go for it.

But make sure to take care of it. So you can give it back in the same condition it was in when you took it.

This way, you don’t mess up your chances of borrowing again in the future.

Trick #17: Find a good tailor

Tailors are very famous in my part of the world.

Not only do they do alterations. But they also produce your clothing from scratch.

Because the truth is. Sometimes you have a design in your head you’ve never seen anywhere in store.

But your tailor can bring that design to life for you.

Just make sure it’s a good tailor. Who charges reasonably.

Trick #18: Choose clothes that fit well

If you want to dress well on a budget, then you need to make sure an item fits before you pay for it.

This way, you avoid the costs of altering it.

Stores have fitting rooms. Just ask for one and try on whatever you’re planning to buy.

If it doesn’t fit, don’t force matters.

Come back next time. Or check other stores.

Trick #19: Buy more than one of your favorite item

If you want to dress well on a budget, then take special note of this trick.

I do this with my jeans. And I’m planning to do the same for my turtlenecks. And tank tops.

If you like a piece of clothing. And you’ll be wearing it for a long time to come,

then getting two will help carry you the distance.

Trick #20: Dye your clothes

The main problem I face with all of my dark clothes is the fading.

I swear, my black clothes fade as soon as I take them out of the store.

But you know the cure for fading clothes? Dyeing.

Dyeing can turn an old item into a new one.

Trick #21: Buy damaged items from the stores

I know a store that cuts up their poorly knitted clothes.

I say that’s a waste.

You mean the store can’t think of people who’d appreciate that item? Like the homeless, duh?

But you can get a bargain by buying a damaged item at the stores that do sell them.

Because the store will usually mark the item down.

If the mishap is noticeable, but can be fixed, then why not?

But you should also note that sometimes the store will mark an item down for a mishap that’s not noticeable to the naked eye.

For example, a wrong stitch (what do most of us know about stitches?). Or a poorly sewn-in button.

Those are the kinds of items you should go for.

But remember, it’s about the quality. And not the name brand behind the piece of clothing.

Final word on how to dress well on budget

With some planning, creativity and patience, you can dress well on a budget so you feel more in control of your life every day.

I hope this post has been helpful to you.

Winner, by sharing your feedback, you can inspire another Winner out there to finally summon the courage to dress well on a budget. And feel more in control of their days.

Last but not least, remember that it’s your life. So, there’s no rush. No right or wrong. Only progress.

Also, remember that in everything you do, you’re a Winner. And in everything that happens, your life is always a win.