My budget is tight these days and I have found that there are many ways to save money on clothes. I tend to be an impulse shopper, not one to dig for deals either, so finding ways to save money is tough but I am learning it can be done.
15+ Ways to Save Money on Clothes
Consignment Sales
I bought Reese’s very first Halloween costume at a consignment sale named Kid 2 Kid. Another great sale to check out is Just Between Friends Fort Worth. If you don’t live near Fort Worth, no need to worry because there are several other Just Between Friends Fort Worth sales nationwide. Check your location here.
I would only make an effort to sell my gently used clothing at JBF sales because other resale shops aren’t worth the effort as I found out at Clothes Mentor.
Fashion blogging
This take some time to work at, but if you get a large enough following you some brands will send you free clothing in exchange for a review or sponsored post.
Shop and Earn Rewards
Some of my favorite outfits are from Target. I use both the Target Cartwheel application to get extra coupons and the Target red card to get an extra 5% off my purchase.
Never toss your maternity clothes…
until you are 100% sure you are done having children. For the most part maternity clothes are timeless.
Never trash your pre-maternity clothes…
Because you can fit back into those skinny jeans. Don’t lose hope…
Unless…
You no longer have the same fashion taste since you became a mother. That’s completely okay if you no longer want to rock the Daisy Dukes at your upcoming mom and me playdate.
Accept and give hand-me-downs
Swap clothes with friends that have kids that are older than your children and are the same gender. My best friends and I are always pregnant at different times and have taken advantage of our children’s closets. We keep the clothing organized by size and swap out clothing ever so often.
Attend or host a Swap Party
Gather your friends and trade out your clothes, purses, and other accessories. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.
Make your own clothes
Okay, better said than done, but I have seen a few of my friends accomplish this goal. One of my friends is so successful that she actually quit her full time job and created SheSheMade. I don’t have enough patience or talent to reach this goal, but if you do – go for it and know not only can you save money making clothes, but you could potentially earn money of your new found talent.
Determine a budget
…and stick to it.
This is an area I struggle with since I tend to impulse shop. If you know you are going to go over your budget on an item, reconsider purchasing.
Only purchase clothing you know you would be willing to wear more than once
Wait a week to purchase an expensive piece of clothing
If you still want it, consider buying it.
If you forgot about it, then it wasn’t meant to be.
Re-evaluate the clothing you already own
Learn how to transform your existing clothing pieces into new outfits like Greater Than Rubies, who didn’t shop for over a year.
Save Coupons on your Phone
Inevitably, I forget to bring my coupons with me, but I never leave home without my phone. There are many stores I would never shop at without a coupon because they email offers to my inbox religiously. Kohls is one of these businesses. It would be silly for me to pay full price for anything in this store given how many coupons they email and mail me on a daily basis. Find the stores you frequent and sign up to receive digital coupons.
Subscription Boxes
This new service is all the rage and I can understand why. I recently reviewed a Rocksbox jewelry subscription service and was pleasantly impressed on the quality and ease of renting expensive fashion accessories for a nominal monthly fee. Rocksbox sent me jewelry pieces that fit the style profile I took upon signing up. It’s like having a personal stylist without spending the money on one.
One of my colleagues raves about Stitch Fix every time I compliment a new outfit or look she is sporting. Many subscription services allow customers to purchase the rented clothing at a discounted rate.
When all else fails, find a career that requires an uniform
Seriously, sometimes it’s easier to wear the same thing over and over like this woman did for three years at work. During my maternity leave, I saved a lot of money because the clothes I wore day-in-and-day-out where covered in spit up, so I basically wore the same outfit every day.
Let’s be real – in those early days of parenting I couldn’t find a second to shower much less worry about my fashion. Sweatpants it is for the 30th day in a row!
Whatever stage we are in our lives, we could all use more money in our wallets. What ways do you save money on clothing?
Caitlin says
This is such a great list, Michelle! And you were so sweet to include GTR! 🙂
Michelle Hancock says
Thank you sweet lady! Missed you today at LINKS! 🙂