Ever looked at your overflowing closet only to decide you have nothing to wear? We feel you.
We know how easy it is to get bored of your clothes, especially if you tend to wear the same few pieces over and over again. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have the luxury of having designers on speed dial or Kardashian-levels of cash to spend, which means we must make peace with the idea of spending reasonably and not acquiring a new Balmain blazer daily.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have an entirely respectable, updated wardrobe at any given time. There are plenty of ways to keep your closet fresh and your outfits on trend without shelling out your entire paycheck.
Here are six resourceful ways to update your wardrobe.
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Affordable Fashion Brands
1. Consignment
The first time I walked into a consignment store, I was floored that there was a way to sell your clothing without doing much of the actual selling. Consignment is a great way to get rid of clothes and accessories still in good condition while turning a profit. There’s nothing more thrilling than dropping off a bag of clothes you know you’ll never wear and leaving with enough money to buy that new jacket you’ve been stalking. The only downside of consignment is that you have to give the store a small cut in exchange for handling the sale.
2. Clothing Swaps
You’ve heard the phrase, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and despite its overuse, it’s also a very true statement. That’s why clothing swaps are great. Not only is it a fun reason to round up your friends, it’s the perfect budget way to update your wardrobe. Have your friends invite their friends for even more options. You never know if someone simply has no use for their YSL purse.
3. DIY-ing
It’s incredible what a pair of scissors and a needle and thread can do. You don’t have to be a seamstress to turn an old shirt into a cute skirt. Even your old tights can be transformed into a top with a quick and easy snip to the crotch area.
4. Learn to Sew
Not every tip we provide is for the lazy girl. Sewing can be hard, time-consuming and requires precision and concentration. However, I can attest to the fact that once you master the basics, you’ll be able to turn around that cute jersey skirt you saw at Zara in a day or two. Even the simple act of switching up the buttons on a shirt or jacket can completely transform it.
If you don’t have an awesome friend or family member who is a whiz with a needle and thread, you can enroll in sewing classes that’ll teach you the fundamentals. Or if you’re feeling especially motivated, you can even learn on YouTube for free.
5. Borrow
Has “Gossip Girl” taught us nothing? As much as we love our friends for those meaningful heart-to-hearts, sometimes they’re also great for borrowing clothes when our current wardrobe situations aren’t measuring up. It’s not callous to occasionally love our friend’s solely for the nifty Alexander Wang sweater they just nabbed. It’s simply resourceful.
6. Styling
You’ll be shocked at how accomplished you’ll feel when you put together a great new look using your current wardrobe. Adding accessories and layering are easy ways to revamp what you thought was tired and old. Throw a sweater on top of an old dress or try matching items you never thought would work together. Tie up the front of a button up shirt as opposed to tucking it in for a more casual look. Most of the time, the solution to a tired wardrobe is as simple as styling.