Budget living

How to save a fortune on clothing without sacrificing style

Amanda Spackman
Sunday, April 10, 2011
How to save a fortune on clothing without sacrificing style
Image: ThinkStock
Vintage stores can be a treasure trove for bargain buys and one-off yesteryear pieces. You can find everything from pre-loved designer fashions to cheap handbags and accessories. Be sure to take your time and rummage around the racks to find the best buys.
Amanda Spackman
Topics:
Fashion

Is your wardrobe in need of a serious fashion renovation, but you don't have the space in your cupboard or you can't afford to go out and spend hundreds of dollars on new-season fashion?

We've found eight failsafe ways to help you trade in your pre-loved clothing and make a little extra cash for new fashionable styles.

Shop smart
When you're going shopping make sure you buy things you know you'll wear.

We've all fallen into the trap of thinking something is a great buy because it has a discounted price tag, even though we know it doesn't look so great on or it's not the right size. Nine times out of 10 this item will sit in your wardrobe and will never be worn.

Think smart and shop for classic styles that suit and fit your body and remember just because it's cheap doesn't mean you have to have it.

Fashion rentals
If you have a big event coming up and would love to arm yourself with a hot new designer handbag, step out in a flashy new dress or wear a killer pair of Christian Louboutin heels, but can't afford to spend thousands of dollars on the full outfit, why not rent it?

Love Me & Leave Me is a fantastic fashion rental website, which can help you style yourself head-to-toe in a designer outfit for a fraction of the cost.

The only downside is you have to return it after you've worn it.

Video: Fashion rentals

Clothing swaps
A great way to trade in your pre-loved items and pick up new styles, is having a clothing swap day with your family and friends.

Not only is it great for giving your wardrobe a free reno, it's also a great way to catch-up, enjoy a Champagne and nibbles with friends.

Video: Fashion swapping

Shop and sell on eBay
Is your wardrobe overflowing with items that still have their prices tag attached?

Selling on eBay is a great way to make a few extra dollars to put towards new items for your wardrobe that you'll love and wear.

Shopping on eBay is also a foolproof way to pick up designer fashion, without the expensive price tag. You can find great buys from Australian designers and International fashion houses online, just always check the authenticity with the seller and make sure you buy from seller's that have high positive ratings.

Set up a PayPal account to easily manage your incoming funds and outgoing transactions.

Markets
On average women have around 100 items in their wardrobes and we only wear 30 percent of them. These pieces are taking up serious storage space in your wardrobe and need to go.

If selling on eBay isn't your thing, book in a weekend at your local market and sell all the items you haven't worn in the past 12 months to make some extra cash and put towards new updated pieces.

Savvy shopping sales
If you're on the hunt for budget-friendly buys, visit MissyConfidential.com.au to stay-up-the-minute with the latest designer sales and sign up to their newsletter to get the scoop on sales in your area.

The Australian website is dedicated to sale alerts and has their finger on Zeitgeist with the best sales across all states. Also, look out for weekly sale ads in your local paper.

Op shopping
One person's trash can be another person's treasure, so if you've got a tight budget, head to op shops to find bargain buys.

The trick to finding stylish pieces is being patient. You may not find something immediately, but there are great pieces to be found. Trawl the racks, look for designer labels and you're guaranteed to find a few items you'll love and wear.

Video: Op-shop Fever

Vintage shopping
Like op shops, vintage stores can be a treasure trove for bargain buys and one-off yester-year pieces. You can find everything from pre-loved designer fashions to cheap handbags and accessories.

Be sure to take your time and rummage around the racks to find the best buys. Also, think how pieces can be teamed with other items in your wardrobe.

The trick to making vintage and pre-loved items look stylish is working them back with new items in your cupboard. Don't dress all in vintage, otherwise your outfit can end up looking tired and shabby.

Related video: How to renovate your wardrobe.

To find out more on how to keep Whites Crystal White, head to www.vanishstains.com.au.
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