My grandmother always told me that the secret to great success was to “always look like a million bucks, even if you only have two dollars in your pocket.” These are words that I live by today.
Who doesn’t like saving a little money? As young professionals, we want to make a good impression on our colleagues and employers at school, work, and in the business world, but some of us find it difficult to look good without breaking the bank. I am a major advocate for saving money. I understand how difficult it is to try to look good while staying on budget. But there is a way! Read my tips on how to save money while still looking like a million bucks.
- Mix In The Old With The New
A great tip that always works for me is mixing old pieces of clothing with newer (more expensive) pieces. For example, I may pair an older top from a few years back with a more expensive or newer scarf or jacket. In pairing an older item with something that’s newer, I am allowing my item to become my “statement piece.” Statement pieces are great investments because you can definitely get your bang for your buck in that you can “re-use” the piece over and over and it will also pair nicely with many different outfits.
- Shop Gently Used Items
Many stores offer exceptionally reduced prices for gently used clothing. Now this word may scare some people because they may think “I’m wearing somebody else’s clothing.” But keep in mind that “one woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure.” Popular stores such as Plato’s Closet or My Sister’s Closet specialize in buying and selling gently used clothing for reduced prices and are great ways to save money on clothing.
- Share Clothes With Friends
Sharing or swapping clothes with friends is a great way to save a little money on clothing. My friends and I turn our Spring/Fall cleaning sessions into a fun event. At least twice a year, we host “Clothes Swap Parties” where we gather up all of our old clothes and come together and put them in one big pile and then take turns picking out pieces of clothing. This way, we are cleaning out our closets by donating our clothes and then in turn gaining new items without spending any money. Now that’s what I call a good party!
- Take Care of Clothing
Another great tip is to take care of your clothing. This seems like an obvious point, but you’d be surprised how many people do not care for their clothing properly. Make sure to pay close attention to the tags and caring instructions for the item. Many clothes need to be hand-washed or dry-cleaned. Properly caring for the may preserve the for longer.
- Be Confident
Most importantly, you MUST be confident in whatever you are wearing, whether it be a $15 dress or $200 jacket. This will make all of the difference. A smile is going to be the best thing you could ever wear. Be confident in yourself and style. The secret is no one will ever know that your outfit was under $20! See the world as your runway and rock it!
How do you rock your style on a budget?! Feel free to post pics of yourself rocking your outfit or tips on how you rock your own unique style on a budget.
