Since the age of 18 I’ve had a mortgage. Or two often. So unlike many of my peers I never really did the years where you spend all your disposable income on fabulous clothes and shoes and bags. But this doesn’t mean I missed out. There are plenty of ways to stay on trend and not spend everything you have doing so.
I found that my style evolved and became quite classical in nature thanks to my bargain hunting ways. I would look for classic, quality pieces on sale and wear them year in and year out. Think a quality jacket, jeans, white shirt, black skirt, boots and tote style handbag.
Keeping your style classic allows you to build a wardrobe over time when the budget allows. You’ll find a lot of the items are already things you own and could fall back on immediately.
A classic and simple wardrobe would contain;
- Well fitting under wear
- Boots {black or brown}
- Flats
- Heels
- Jeans
- Black pants
- Black skirt
- White shirt
- Basic t-shirt
- Cardigan/Jumper
- Blazer
- Trench
- Little Black Dress
Now your wardrobe isn’t going to contain all of these items right now. Even the ones you own may need either updating or replacing thanks to wear. Popping out and spending loads of money on new clothes just doesn’t squeeze into most budgets. So here are some tips to build your essential pieces of your wardrobe;
- Make a list of items you need, carry it in your wallet. Cross items off as you buy them. No excuses now for doubling up.
- Shop the sales. Online or in store. Save your pennies for the rainy day sale.
- Buy out of season. Similar to sales, buying the outgoing seasonal items, even if you don’t get to wear them for a while will save you bundles.
- Buy the best that you can afford at the time and upgrade when you can. Key wardrobe pieces are an investment.
- Decide now what ARE your key style essentials? For me, jeans are not so essential, but a black pencil skirt absolutely is. Refine your style by knowing what your key pieces would be.
Supplement your classics with affordable basics from places such as Mix Apparel {at Coles!}, Target and Big W. This is the place to add some on trend stuff to your wardrobe; an animal print light scarf, bright blue loafers or a statement bag. You know that sort of thing.
Perfect items to buy cheap and cheerful basics;
- Socks
- Singlets
- T-shirts
- Flip flops {thongs whatever}
- Accessories {seasonal items or costume jewellery}
- Clutch purses or statement bags
- Scarves
Start to experiment with colours and layering and accessories by borrowing or swapping with friends. This is a great way to find out if you are going to wear something or if a colour really suits you. You know how things look different in the daylight far far away from the change room, errr glow. Consider it a test run. If you love it, offer to buy it from your friend, swap it for something of yours you’re willing to part with or add it to your essentials list for next time.
While you are refining your style it’s a good idea to look around you and notice a style you love and the looks you’d like to be able to rip off. Ummm, I mean replicate. This could be a Mum at school pick up, your favourite TV character or an actress or famous for being famous celeb. Don’t waste your money on magazines, simply search online galleries or a couple of seasons of their TV show. And as silly as it sounds, make notes.
Bit by bit you will learn what suits not only your body but your personal style. You might find that some of those essentials just aren’t so essential anymore. Sell them online or thrift shop and reinvest the money in something else. For now, get out there and start building that classic wardrobe on a shoe string budget.
Melissa blogs at Suger Coat It; a blog about living the sweet life. She started her blog because she wanted one place to put all the cool things she found online and to write a little.
Now it revolves around trying to stay married, her getting a life and their mission to create a life. Mostly. But Melissa pretty much does what she wants. But that’s the upside of being a grown up, right?
Right now Melissa’s goals in life are to run 5km, to find somewhere sensible to hide all the crap that accumulates on the kitchen bench, to kill her 8 year old pc so she can get a Mac and to broker world peace.
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