I love a good outfit styled from head to toe, but that can get pricey with the more items you add. I have a few secrets that I use to save money shopping and help to me stay stylish within my budget! Some of these I have been using for years. If you want to be stylish and accessorized but have to stay within a budget, this post is for you!
As a mom, I have to be a pretty frugal shopper and allocate funds toward my kids school and activities. But I still want to look stylish and BUY ALL THE THINGS! Are you ready for me to spill all of my shopping secrets?
5 SECRETS TO STYLING ON A BUDGET
- Always Shop the Sales – I know this is probably a given, but almost always you can find something on sale. If the item I am looking for is by a popular brand, I will browse around different online sites to see if I can get it on sale or if one of the online stores has a promo code. I will add things to my online cart and then wait for it to go on sale before purchasing. Occasionally when you abandon your online cart, the retailer will email you a promo code to come back! Also, make sure to sign up for emails from your favorite stores to learn about secret sales.
- Mix High and Low Price Points – Splurge on staple items like designer jeans (because you know you will get your wear out of them), bags, shoes and things you can’t live without. Shop trendy items at more affordable places like Target, Forever 21, and TJ Maxx. You can even recreate looks with similar items at your price point. For example, the outfit I’m wearing in this post is composed of a more expensive black basic dress (that I can wear multiple times with different accessories) and then shoes from Target!
- Try-Before-You Buy Services – I am totally guilty of wearing an outfit once, taking a bunch of photos, and then never wearing that outfit again. Obviously this is not practical and my husband gives me such a hard time. Solution – subscribe to an online service where you can either purchase at a discount or borrow the items. I have heard great things about Bag, Borrow or Steal for bags and love Rent the Runway for clothing. Especially if you have a wedding or important event coming up!
- Shop Secondhand – I love websites that allow you to buy something you want that are gently used or in excellent condition. Poshmark, Ebay, and Instagram Closet Sales for your favorite bloggers are definitely a way to wear something more expensive at a discounted rate! Make sure to do some research beforehand like reading seller reviews and closely examine photos of the items, but these options can save you some money!!
- Buy Dupes – I love a good look-alike, and there are so many out there these days! Sometimes it is actually worth it to buy the real deal (comfort, quality, etc), but in other instances it’s just as easy and less expensive to buy the dupe version. I typically buy dupe sunglasses (cause I break them often), some shoes and trendy items that I know I will only use a few times. For example, if I see a designer round straw bag I like, I can usually find one in a very similar style for way less on Amazon or at Target. I’m all about recreating the look for less! (PS. Dupes are different from knock offs… that’s another story..)
Do you have any tips for styling on a budget? Where are your favorite places to shop when trying to stick with a budget? I hope to share more posts like these, so let me know if you like it and if you want more of it!