Changing your spending habits doesn’t have to mean a boring, unchanging wardrobe. It’s entirely possible to look chic, happy and fashionable without consistently dropping a chunk of your paycheck at Fast Fashion Giant every other week. You do not need to be ruled by the ever changing fashions and allure of cheap clothes - you can take charge, save serious money along the way and look nice the entire time.
1. Buy Higher Quality Clothes
This sounds counterintuitive, doesn’t it? Buy more expensive clothes to save money? But let’s think about that €19 trendy sweater with holes in the armpits sitting at the bottom of your dresser. How often did you wear that before it became a rag in the making? The synthetic fabric was fine the first two wears and washes, but then it lost its softness. Not to mention the pattern just isn’t as cool anymore ... A few more wears and washes and that “great deal” started to unravel. Small holes turns to large holes and before you know it that trendy “must-have” has been banished from the prized top drawer of your dresser. You might pull it out when you need to clean the basement next week … but it’s never going to grace your body ever again.
Now, let’s compare that to your ever-cool Perfect Pullover. At €159 it’s not exactly inexpensive, but it’s also leaps and bounds ahead in quality. Made by workers dedicated to their craft, with high quality natural materials, your Perfect Pullover will last for years to come with proper care. Soft, strong and warm, classically fashionable, that €159 spent will carry you from season to season, year to year. Every single time you pull that Perfect Pullover out to wear it again your cost per wear goes down. Classically styled, built to last, quality over quantity.
2. Buy Vintage/Thrift
Looking for something that lasts? If it’s already made it to vintage status, you’re likely looking at good quality! And you’re definitely not paying retail. When you buy second hand clothing the major depreciation has already happened and you can definitely count on the quality. Not to mention, you’re probably getting a one of a kind look that will set you apart from your peers. With vintage/thrift shops available all over the world from high end designers all the way to nameless brands long since functioning, you can score a look at your price point guaranteed to look great and keep your out of pocket costs to a minimum.
3. Clothes Swapping
Your friends are probably pretty fashionable, right? Organize a clothes swapping party. Set a date and place, get a few bottles of champagne, and assemble a stack of clothes you’re no longer wearing. Have your friends bring their own stacks. You get Frank’s belt, I take Sam’s shirt, Sam takes my jeans, Frank snags Sam’s sweater, so on and so forth. No one spends a dime, everyone gets “new” clothes.
There are also various local “Buy Nothing Project” groups popping up all over the world. Whether you need a scarf or a wrench, a pair of jeans or a baby stroller, your friendly hyper-local Buy Nothing Project group might just have what you need for exactly $0.00. A way to “give and receive, share, lend, and express gratitude”, check their website to see if you have a group near you, or for information on how to start one yourself.
4. Fix your Old Clothes
Yes, it’s true what your grandmother said: a stitch in time saves nine. Sew the button back on your shirt, mend that hole in the seam of your 8 year old jacket, put a patch over the worn spot on your jeans. Don’t know how? Call your grandmother or set up a date with your friendly neighbor. Seek out the people in your community who can pass on their worthwhile skills. Search for in-person classes near you. Not only will you learn a valuable money saving skill, but you will give purpose and build relationships. Every time you fix a hem or replace a broken zipper you will think fondly of the person who imparted their wisdom upon you. And the next time you stay at a hotel? Take that sewing kit with you. ;)
This sounds counterintuitive, doesn’t it? Buy more expensive clothes to save money? But let’s think about that €19 trendy sweater with holes in the armpits sitting at the bottom of your dresser. How often did you wear that before it became a rag in the making? The synthetic fabric was fine the first two wears and washes, but then it lost its softness. Not to mention the pattern just isn’t as cool anymore ... A few more wears and washes and that “great deal” started to unravel. Small holes turns to large holes and before you know it that trendy “must-have” has been banished from the prized top drawer of your dresser. You might pull it out when you need to clean the basement next week … but it’s never going to grace your body ever again.
Now, let’s compare that to your ever-cool Perfect Pullover. At €159 it’s not exactly inexpensive, but it’s also leaps and bounds ahead in quality. Made by workers dedicated to their craft, with high quality natural materials, your Perfect Pullover will last for years to come with proper care. Soft, strong and warm, classically fashionable, that €159 spent will carry you from season to season, year to year. Every single time you pull that Perfect Pullover out to wear it again your cost per wear goes down. Classically styled, built to last, quality over quantity.
2. Buy Vintage/Thrift
Looking for something that lasts? If it’s already made it to vintage status, you’re likely looking at good quality! And you’re definitely not paying retail. When you buy second hand clothing the major depreciation has already happened and you can definitely count on the quality. Not to mention, you’re probably getting a one of a kind look that will set you apart from your peers. With vintage/thrift shops available all over the world from high end designers all the way to nameless brands long since functioning, you can score a look at your price point guaranteed to look great and keep your out of pocket costs to a minimum.
3. Clothes Swapping
Your friends are probably pretty fashionable, right? Organize a clothes swapping party. Set a date and place, get a few bottles of champagne, and assemble a stack of clothes you’re no longer wearing. Have your friends bring their own stacks. You get Frank’s belt, I take Sam’s shirt, Sam takes my jeans, Frank snags Sam’s sweater, so on and so forth. No one spends a dime, everyone gets “new” clothes.
There are also various local “Buy Nothing Project” groups popping up all over the world. Whether you need a scarf or a wrench, a pair of jeans or a baby stroller, your friendly hyper-local Buy Nothing Project group might just have what you need for exactly $0.00. A way to “give and receive, share, lend, and express gratitude”, check their website to see if you have a group near you, or for information on how to start one yourself.
4. Fix your Old Clothes
Yes, it’s true what your grandmother said: a stitch in time saves nine. Sew the button back on your shirt, mend that hole in the seam of your 8 year old jacket, put a patch over the worn spot on your jeans. Don’t know how? Call your grandmother or set up a date with your friendly neighbor. Seek out the people in your community who can pass on their worthwhile skills. Search for in-person classes near you. Not only will you learn a valuable money saving skill, but you will give purpose and build relationships. Every time you fix a hem or replace a broken zipper you will think fondly of the person who imparted their wisdom upon you. And the next time you stay at a hotel? Take that sewing kit with you. ;)
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