I'm turning 22 soon. My whole wardrobe is a mess. Clothes that don't fit my body, torn, discoloured, deformed, smeared clothes… I need to throw it all not just because of the material state they're in (I wouldn't gift them without it being an insult) but also because of the baggage it means for me.
Now, I'm all in for frugal wardrobes! I know exactly what I need, how much, and it's not a huge deal… But
Here comes the resource allocation part: How can I stretch my (super thin) budget while still getting quality clothing? I thought of going to bulk stores, but design is extremely important for me, and I cannot stand clothes that I dislike.
I have no problem with secondhand clothes, but I would prefer to buy coats and accessories second hand, while keeping the every day wear brand new.
So, the question really boils down to… How can I frugally get high quality clothing, if I need about seven copies of the same thing, and bulk stores usually don't sell my thing?
Gotta renew my whole wardrobe… Any tips for doing it frugally?
byu/bariumFormate inFrugal
Posted by bariumFormate
25 Comments
I recently discovered thrift stores if you’re open to adapting your style to what’s available and cost effective
Shop end of season. Go now for summer clothes on sale.
Shop in Jan for winter.
Go to thrift stores, shop as slowly and carefully as stores. It’s amazing what you’ll find. Start with your big expensive goals, like overcoat, sweater. Some things still have their original retail label.
Estate sales.
Go to a thrift store in a financially well-off part of town… (:
If you’re needing duplicates of things, maybe try to find a local boutique that carries whatever style you’re looking for and ask them about buying bulk through whatever means they use to order? Worst they’ll do is tell you no, but sales are sales so they may be willing to help you out.
Better call Gene Takavic.
Maybe a decent well thought out 10×10? Lots of inspo for the styles you like in this challenge. Limited pieces with lots of options!
A lot of boutiques in my area have 50% off racks or $10/$5 racks! A few months ago I found a skirt I liked but it was $35. I went back like two weeks ago and it was on clearance for $5!
If any of your old clothing is thick cotton, it will make great dish rags and save you a little bit on paper towels. As to your ask, it’s hard to be picky and frugal but a Uniqlo sale or factory outlet may give you suitable cuts and the passable quality you seek.
Shopping second hand can still mean you get items with tags on or worn once! I had some pieces that were too small for me, but I loved them, so I found them used or new with tags (NWT) on Poshmark/Mercari and simply sized up ☺️ I also sold on Poshmark for a year when I just started Eating Disorder treatment and was gaining weight. I’d sell my small items, take that $ and buy the next size or two up for myself.
I’ve also ordered things from Stitch Fix (don’t recommend personally – money suck). Anyway, if I loved the jeans they sent, I’d return them then hunt for them secondhand/NWT on one of the apps I mentioned and get them for a fraction of the cost.
ThredUp is another “thrifting” app – I like that you can search by brand, size, etc. you do have to use a keen eye when reviewing photos – sometimes they’ll say something is in Excellent condition, but you see an obvious stain. Anyway, they’re really good at standing behind their pieces. You can also find items that are New With Tags there, too!
Most items listed as “New With Tags” are going to be higher price than used/worn items, but typically much less than retail. Just takes some hunting, if you’re open to it!
Obviously this comes down to personal preference. But I’ll thrift/buy used jeans, tops, coats, washable tennis shoes (honestly, most shoes can be washed). I never buy leggings or undergarments secondhand, but I’ve sold barely worn or new without tags (NWOT) bras before 🤷🏻♀️ everyone is different!
Capsule wardrobe! Make a list of the bare minimum you need to make it through [X amount of time between laundry days] and get basics in flattering colors. If you work somewhere you’re allowed to wear jeans, you need 3-4 pairs; if you have to wear slacks, do half slacks, half jeans. Depending on whether it’s hot where you are or not, two button up shirts in either long or short sleeves and one the opposite. A pack of undershirts of you don’t already have them. Add to it as stuff wears out.
We recently did this for my brother for $150 at the rural king/tractor supply store. You’d be surprised how cheap and durable some of the clothes you can get there are (thick, sturdy jeans for $15, for example, and a pack of t-shirts that double as undershirts and casual wear for 6 for $18, double duty work pants nice enough to work for interviews but suitable enough to be work pants if that’s needed). It was surprising to me the first time i went because I didn’t expect them to have clothes, much less such a huge amount of size-inclusive options.
Black Friday
Thrift thrift thrift! Go once a week on the day your stores restock and slowly build up your wardrobe. Keep an open mind. You can find almost everything there. Shoes, pjs, loungewear, skirts, jackets. The only thing I struggle to thrift is pants. It’s all about going with enough energy and committing to sifting through every aisle and going often. Otherwise I shop a lot on Poshmark and eBay (especially for pants). I’ll try a pair on I like in store and chances are it’s being resold somewhere for a fraction of the price. I also really recommend learning to sew (Facebook marketplace has hundreds of sewing machines for sale). That opened up the realm of thrifting for me once I learned how to take stuff in along side seams or hem it. Really simple fixes like that makes it so much easier to thrift.
Buy good quality but also buy less. Go for a capsule wardrobe. Buy pieces that can mix and match that go together well. You can find examples and further explanations online.
Thrift store
Estate sales
Garage sales
FB gifting sites and neighborhood group
Build a “capsule” of related pieces within a style so all pieces can relate well. Curate something versatile that can take you to work, dinner and parties. Go for quality, not volume.
On top of buying out of season and during clear out sales, eBay. Some companies have accounts and offload their clothes there. You can sort by new with tags. I got a bunch of my Tommy T-shirts from there.
Before I also would have said shop abroad to take advantage of the currency exchange, but with tariffs it’s not a good idea right now. I would create a new email to sign up for some sites you are interested in so that you’re aware of the sales and discount codes.
When you find a brand you love and know how their pieces fit, get on the email list.
For me, one brand is J Crew. I pounce on their flash sale (non-returnable). Exhibits A:
https://preview.redd.it/xtxxt3c78lvf1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=20903e1c9e2f36ce805c04c5329e312a468039d4
Check Facebook and see if your area has a Buy Nothing page. People sometimes post when they are cleaning out their closet or a loved one’s home, and will gift clothing, jackets or shoes.
Look at “capsule wardrobes” on Pinterest for ideas to create your style, start with fall/winter, and keep an eye out for spring/summer. Pick 3 colors that you like that blend (like navy, beige, gray, etc – make your own color palette before you shop, you can do Pinterest searches for this too). Buy pants, leggings, jeans, a skirt if you wear them, then white and neutral shirts and tshirts, and sweaters and jackets that will blend with the pants. Then add some scarves for color, and neutral shoes/boots. Have your list done then hit the thrift stores in the nice area near where you live. Shop for quality and fit, look for good labels, and try things on before you buy. It will take some regular shopping visits to build your wardrobe, but it’s fun once you know what you’re looking for!
Undergarments should be brand new. Go look at the thrift store for everything else.
Only purchase what you love and that fits or that you can alter.
Swallow your pride in tough times.
Also look up capsule wardrobe
It’ll help you make a plan – a visual plan of what you need. Print it out – yes a picture and as you get each piece mark it off.
This helps you visualize what goes with what. Which key pieces you’ll spend on and what you can be frugal with.
A good quality white t shirt can be wore with jeans, skirts, dress pants, everything = key piece
Join your local buy nothing group or clothing swap group. Or throw your own clothing swap party with your friends. There’s a lot of pieces I had in my closet that I thought no one would like and it ended up making someone’s day
When I travel (for vacation or business) I always research the Thrift Stores in the area I am traveling to. I try to keep a list of things I want or need and I usually find at least one thing on my list!
Last thing I found was a pressure canner in a thrift store for under $30.00, for me that was a major score!
I have also found leather handbags, in great condition for under $100.00 each (one was under $30.00 and pretty unique).
Spend your money on things that actually matter to you, don’t indulge in “well I care about clothing so I can’t possible buy this boring thing”
Once you are in a position financially to save and buy nice items, you can buy them.
For now, you get clothes made from material that didn’t irritate, use accessories for personality.