Many of us love nothing more than investing in new clothes and accessories, but it’s not always possible for our bank balances to keep up with the trends. With new must-have pieces emerging on what seems like a daily basis, here are some top tips to help you celebrate new trends without breaking the bank.
Customisation
Customisation is a fabulous way to update basics, create unique pieces and breathe new life into old faithfuls. If you’ve got a collection of plain tees, jumpers or jackets hanging around, why not get creative and make a few adjustments to tick off new seasonal trends? You could add embroidered patterns or motifs, sew badges on your clothes or create statement tops using beads or gems.
If you’re not a wizard with a sewing machine, there are some brilliant online tutorials available. It’s also a good idea to peruse magazines to get ideas and to take inspiration from celebrities or influencers whose style you admire. If you see pieces you love the look of, for example, you may be able to recreate them on a budget by revamping existing items.
Accessorising
Accessories give you the ability to put together a whole host of different looks using the same items of clothing and they also add instant, on-trend updates. From necklaces, brooches and body jewellery to bags, hair accessories and hats, there are multiple ways you can switch up your look to cater for every occasion. T
he key to making accessories work for you is building a capsule wardrobe. If you’ve got a set of staples, and you add a couple of new pieces every season, you can use accessories to keep up with new trends without blowing the budget. Consider something as simple as a pair of slim-fit jeans and a plain vest or cami. For the evening, you can add a tailored blazer, heels, a clutch, a collar necklace and an understated nose stud. During the day, for a more casual, laid-back look, go for flat sandals, a cross-body leather satchel, a nose ring and an oversized, vintage-style denim shirt.
Discount shopping
We all love a bargain. The good news is that there are several avenues you can explore to save money on shopping today. If you have stores and brands that you love, it’s worth signing up to mailing lists to receive special offers and exclusive discounts via email. You can also register for voucher sites to gain access to deals available at a host of different shops and websites.
Another option is to buy second-hand clothing. You can browse listings on auction sites or take a trip to charity shops and vintage stores. Fashion is cyclical, and retro styles often come back into fashion years later. You can also customise old pieces to bring them into the 21st century.
If you love talking about clothes and meeting like-minded people, why not think about organising a swap event? You can bring along any items you’re not keen to keep and swap them with others to refresh your wardrobe.
Shopping can be an expensive habit, but you don’t have to splash the cash to be stylish. Hopefully, these tips will help you try new trends on a budget.