Whether you are a social media influencer or a working mom getting ready to return to the office, your wardrobe matters. After all, the clothes we wear often have an influence over our confidence levels.
For example, a recent study found that 54% of moms “felt more negative about their body image after pregnancy compared to before they were pregnant.” And, while it is important to remember that bodies come in all shapes and sizes (each of them beautiful), knowing how to dress for your figure can increase your self-esteem and self-worth quite considerably.
With a new season approaching, now is the perfect time to upgrade your wardrobe and boost your confidence! However, this could feel near impossible if you’re working to cut down on your spending – unless you use these tips!
Shop secondhand.
Shopping second-hand is one of the easiest ways to upgrade your wardrobe on a budget, as you can often get your hands on high-quality items for a fraction of their original price. With careful sleuthing, you may even be able to find some designer items tucked away on the shelves of your local thrift store!
However, in addition to visiting your local second-hand stores or clothing markets, don’t forget to check out online selling platforms such as Vinted and Depop too. Not only is this an effective cost-saving measure, but you can also filter searches based on specific aesthetics (such as autumnal clothing) or brands.
Sell your old clothes.
If you’re going to be upgrading your entire wardrobe, you’ll likely need to start the process with a clear-out so that you have enough space for all of your new clothes. If you’re stuck, try out the Marie Kondo method, parting ways with anything that no longer sparks joy. For example, if there’s a pair of jeans that no longer fit comfortably or a sweater you managed to shrink in the wash, don’t let them take up unnecessary space in your wardrobe. The same goes for any clothes you don’t feel 100% comfortable in!
However, you should try to sell them instead of throwing them away, as this will give you some extra money to dedicate to your shopping spree.
When selling clothes online or on dedicated reselling apps, be sure to:
- Provide an accurate description of the clothing (Size, brand, quality).
- Take pictures/videos
- Use the right tags (Colors, fabrics, brands, styles, etc.)
- Choose realistic prices
While getting clothes ready to ship and advertising them online can take up a lot of your time, it’s a great way to better your financial situation and could mean that you feel a little more inclined to treat yourself to some nice items when shopping.
Photos:: Unsplash
Upcycle clothes through embroidery.
If there are a few pieces of clothing in your wardrobe that you love but could do with some TLC, don’t feel as though you have to part ways with them. Instead, you could upgrade them by putting your DIY and creativity skills to the test!
For example, a worn-looking denim jacket or jumper can easily be elevated with a spot of embroidery. This is also a great way to add a seasonal touch to your clothing, as you can choose autumnal-inspired threads or patterns to recreate on your clothes.
Of course, if you’re going to be trying this, it’s important that you invest in the right tools, including threads, fabric, and embroidery tape. This will allow you to complete high-quality embroidery work!
Build a capsule wardrobe.
Sometimes, you only need to buy a few select pieces to upgrade your wardrobe, as they can be paired with a variety of different items in order to create multiple outfits from a few basic essential items.
While the exact choice of items will depend upon your aesthetic, you can create a capsule wardrobe with the following 10 items of clothing:
- A shirt
- A t-shirt
- A Sweater/pullover
- A dress
- A pair of jeans
- A pair of formal paints
- A long skirt
- A short skirt/pair of shorts
- A blazer
- A coat
When sourcing these items, try to keep a relatively neutral color scheme in mind. While this may not be the most creative, it allows you to mix and match items freely without having to worry about clashing colors, prints, and fabrics. For example, you may want to focus on items that are varying shades of white, black, and gray. If you’ve got more of a fall aesthetic in mind, choose complementary shades of oranges, golds, and browns.
You could build a different capsule wardrobe for each season, swapping out items as necessary.
Make a statement with accessories.
If you’ve tried to build your very own capsule wardrobe or feel as though your general clothing is a little on the simple side, you can always spruce up your outfits through accessories! For example, a dainty necklace can be used to add a touch of class and elegance to your outfit, whereas a bolder, chunkier necklace can easily become a focal point.
However, the fun does not have to stop there. For example, you can also begin to layer up accessories such as gloves, scarves, hats, and other knitwear, especially when the weather starts to get colder.
Invest in quality clothing.
Have you ever heard of the saying buy well, buy once? It’s built upon the idea that when you invest in something that is of a high quality (and often a correspondingly high price), it’s unlikely that you’ll need to replace it any time soon. However, if you buy cheaper items (such as those from fast fashion brands), you’re not likely to get as much wear out of the items.
As a result, while you may be trying to remain as budget-friendly as possible, you should also be willing to invest in quality items that you can wear for years to come. Furthermore, if shopping online for quality or designer items, you can always keep an eye out for sales or discount codes that make this endevor a little more budget-friendly.
