Dressing on a Budget

1. eBay

   eBay is a great source of cheap clothes. Look at items without a gallery picture or with a short description (ie “two tops” or “shoes”). These ones will get far fewer views so will be cheaper. If you want brand names, you will probably find them much cheaper. If you are not bothered about labels you can find some real bargains. Two words of caution, however.
   
   Firstly, take into account the cost of postage. Some sellers will have a low starting price with very high postage. Is this really a saving? Secondly, you will not get to try on the clothes so take careful not of any size details, in inches as well as standard sizes. There can be a lot of variation to a “size 8”. Take note if the seller says it is a “small size 10”.

2. DIY

   You may not be up to making your own clothes, and if you don't know the best places to buy fabric it may cost you a fortune! But anyone can decorate ready bought items. For example, you can buy a pack of three t-shirts very cheaply. A 99c bottle of fabric paint and a bit of creativity makes a unique top no one else will have.
   
   You can also make your own accessories, a cord and some beads makes and easy necklace or choker. Or use a silk scarf as a belt. These details will detract from a slightly worn pair of jeans or a faded top.

3. Sort Out Your Wardrobe

   You may have a wardrobe full of things you never wear. Maybe they are too small, not really you, or they don't go with anything else. Have a proper sort through, and you may find things you forgot you had. You can pass the old things on to charity shops, try to sell on ebay or...

4. Have A Clothes Swapping Party

   When you and your friends have cleared out their wardrobes, you may find you all have things you do not want. Maybe this top is too purple for you, but your friend would love it. Obviously, this works best if your friends are similar sizes, but it is surprising how a top too baggy for one person fits perfectly on a slightly larger person. That and very few people are the same size for tops and bottoms.

5. Cheap Shoes

   Now days it does not always follow that more expensive shoes are better. Often you are just paying for a name. Trust your instincts when buying. If the shoes pinch a bit when you try them on, you will end up relegating them to a dusty corner after a few wears. If the shoes look cheap then they probably won't last. If you can see loose threads or they feel flimsy, they probably won't last very long. Think about your priorities.
   
   Do you want some smart work shoes or just a comfy pair to get you from A to B? Maybe you just want a very cheap pair for a weekend camping, or you may want to spend a bit more for shoes that will last more than a week. Look out for sale shoes, which may be a slightly older style, but will probably have nothing wrong with them.

6. Sales and Clearance

   Sales and clearance shops can be great things for bargains. But be careful you are not buying things just because they are cheaper. If you are the sort of person who cannot resist a bargain, even if you cannot see yourself wearing your sale item more than once, then avoid the sort of mass-hysteria sales where people will take off your arm to save 5%. You will only spend money you don't have on things you don't want. A clearance shop might be a better idea, but go armed with a list of the things you really need, and try not to deviate.

7. Buy Separates

   This may sound obvious, but it is always a good idea to go for items that can be mixed and matched. For example, a plain shirt can look smart for work but can be dressed up for a night out. Mix and match items do not have to all be black, or all be neutral colors. A bright top can be coupled with normal jeans or a more conservative skirt for different looks. The dress over jeans look is very popular at the moment. Look for items that can be worn in different ways for different occasions.

8. Charity Shops

   Charity shops aren't nearly as cheap as they once were, since vintage fashion means an old jumper has suddenly become a unique fashion item. Smaller charities may still have good value shops, so look around. Some people are snobbish about charity shops but, let's face it, the clothes will have been cleaned and if you go into any high street shop, chances are most of the items will have been tried on.
   
   Charity shops can be good for general browsing, or if you are looking for an outfit for a certain occasion. Do not expect to find exactly the outfit you have in mind, be prepared to be flexible. Some charity shops will also have ranges donated by clothes manufacturers, possibly slight seconds or an older range. These will be new and worth a look.

9. Make Do And Mend

   Small tears are easy enough to repair and it can be far cheaper to get a pair of shoes re-heeled than to buy new ones. If some trousers have a bit of a frayed waistband, would they be okay worn under a skirt? You can always re dye a faded top that is still in good condition, or buy dye run sheets to take out the pink splodges on a previously white top.
   
   If something is falling apart then you will probably not have much use for it, so be sensible. But there are some exceptions. If you have a t-shirt that looks a bit threadbare around the hem, but the logo is still good, then consider cutting out the logo and stitching it onto a plain top for a punky look. Pockets from old jeans can make a cute mini purse.

10. Imitate or Innovate?

    A number of budget clothes shops will have replicas of the latest fashion items. Consider buying these if you want to keep up with the latest style. People often can't tell the difference.

Alternatively, if you think you would rather not try to look like you are trying to hard, just go for something different from everyone else. Create your own style, then you do not have to worry about your look going out of date. Whichever you choose, remember that people often will not be able to tell how much you spent on your clothes. Have fun with it!