Whether you’re shopping at Zara or thrifting in the rich neighborhoods, there are so many ways to save money on clothes. And you really don’t have to sacrifice your look.
There’s no need to overspend on online clothes shopping just to build up your personal style and create a customized wardrobe. You can still look good while getting new clothes.
And whether you’re shopping for a wardrobe staple, second hand items, or a trendy piece, these tips on how to save money on clothing will make things a lot easier on you. So scroll and write down a few of these ideas before your next trip to the store.
1. Do an Inventory Wardrobe Audit
Stop buying what you already own.
Pull out everything in your wardrobe and write down what you wear and don’t wear. And then take note on what you’re missing and only buy what fills a gap.
Just make sure to keep this list around in a journal or your phone’s notes app and revisit it as often as you think necessary. These kinds of smart shopping techniques will help you in reducing waste and stop overspending.
2. Adopt the One In, One Out Rule
Want to buy a new piece? Once has to go.
You need to save money and keep your wardrobe manageable, and this is a great way to do it. It really is a helpful method for making sure you’re being thoughtful before heading to the mall.
It makes you ask yourself, “Do I really need to be shopping right now, or do I have everything I already need at the moment.” But it also makes you a more intentional shopper and forces you to think about whether you actually wear an article of clothing, or if it’s just gonna take up space.
3. Take Advantage of Other Countries’ End of Season Sales
If you didn’t take advantage of the end of season sales on your side of the world, it’s time to look at countries in a different hemisphere.
So while it’s the beginning of your summer in the US, it’s gonna be the end of summer for Australia. And that means you can check out online shops, order clothing from overseas, and potentially take advantage of some massive savings.
4. Secondhand, Swap, and Thrift Intelligently
Your next best find might not be new.
Head to thrift stores in richer neighborhoods to find high-end brands for a fraction of the cost. Or do the exact same thing but look at sellers on Facebook marketplace (as an example) in a wealthy part of town.
Do a clothing swap with friends and see if you can pick up new pieces that’ll fill out your closet.
Or just check out clothing resale apps like Poshmark to find new (to you) cute pieces. You might just find higher quality items for a really good price!
5. Invest in Quality Basics (Not Trends You’ll Forget)
You spend less long-term by buying smarter now.
A more expensive basic with longevity is much better value than multiple cheap pieces. So make a list of the things you need to fill in your wardrobe, and start looking at certain stores and reading reviews when it comes to the durability of their products.
And then just make sure it’s not a trendy item, but a classic piece that’ll look good 10 years down the road. Low-cost trendy items might just completely fall apart after a few washes, which will cost you more in the long run.
6. Use Hidden Discounts and Recycling Hacks
You actually can get a discount for bringing in your old lightly used clothes.
Some stores give you a percentage off your purchase for recycling or bringing back unwanted garments. Here’s what The Sun reported, “For each bag of clothes, they’ll [H&M] give you a £5 voucher to use when you spend £25 or more.”
So check and see what stores will do this in your area; it’s a great way to save money on your new clothes.
7. Set a Need vs. Want List Before Shopping
Impulse buys will drain your wallet, and ruin your style.
So make two different lists: needs and wants. For the needs, this will fill in the gaps for your wardrobe. So for example, if you need a new pair of black jeans or white sneakers, you’ll know what to look for. And for wants, these are nice to haves. So think sundresses or a statement bag.
Then you can immediately buy what you need, and then actually check the prices for what you really want. You’re not just heading into a store and grabbing something you randomly saw on the rack and temporarily wanted. You’re starting to build better and healthier shopping habits.
8. Use Apps and Coupons
Your phone can save you money when shopping for clothes.
You just need to download apps that’ll give you coupons when at a store, promo codes, and cashback deals.
And these could be the store’s own app or apps like iBotta or ShopStyle which can all unlock good deals every time you shop.
9. Practice Mindful Shopping & Wait 24 Hours Before Hitting Buy
If you’re about to make a purchase, just wait 24 hours (or more) before hitting buy.
It’s a great way to figure out if you actually want something, or if you’re just temporarily excited about an item.
Also, this is especially handy if you just saw an influencer showing themselves using an item. It might look pretty or useful, but just make sure to think about whether you see yourself wearing or using that item 6 months down the road.
You really wanna make sure a piece is worth buying in the long run.
10. Maintain & Repair to Maximize Life
Your favorite piece lasts longer = you instantly saved more.
Learn basic clothing repairs and the best way to practice proper care for a specific type of material. It’s a mindful and simple way to make sure your clothing lasts so much longer.
Also, it’s great for living a much more sustainable lifestyle! You’ll reduce the amount of times you need to replace damaged clothing items, and have money for when you really do wanna splurge on a fancier item or budget a certain amount for seasonal upgrades.
Want More Ways to Save Money on Clothes? Here are some helpful reads!
- How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe: 6 Tips for Creating Your Own
- 16 Brilliant Clothing Hacks Every Girl Should Know
- 5 Cheap Clothing Sites for Ridiculously Good Deals
Grace Moser is the author and founder of Chasing Foxes, where she writes articles to help women create a life they love in big and small ways. She's been a full-time traveler since 2016 and loves sharing her experiences and exploring the world with her husband, Silas. Her lifestyle and travel advice can also be seen on sites such as Business Insider, Glamour, Newsweek, Huffpost, & Apartment Therapy.