Your skills aren’t the only key to career success. You will also need to show up to an office or job looking and feeling your best. Someone’s wardrobe can say a lot about a person and their aspirations. You’ll want high-quality, professional attire to help you go farther in the office, but decent clothing can cost a pretty penny. You don’t need to pay top dollar for a good work wardrobe, however. You can easily save a ton of money with some smart and simple savings strategies without sacrificing clothing quality.
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Go Thrifting
No matter what taste in clothing brands you have, you can find them easily at secondhand shops. Thrift and consignment stores sell gently used goods donated by people who no longer need them. Since the items are used, you can save a lot of money by going the thrift store route. I found a thrift store near me that sold designer clothes for less than fifty dollars. If you haven’t visited local thrift stores, do yourself a favor. You can find luxury business attire that makes you look prestigious and professional without your wallet taking a hit. Stock and sizes aren’t guaranteed, but regular visits may grant you some exclusive finds.
Utilize Sales and Coupons
Designer fashion labels offer sales and discounts all the time for a variety of reasons. Sale periods like Black Friday or Boxing Day can provide discounts anywhere from 15% to 90% off. Prices can be cut down so much due to overstock or out-of-season garments that retailers are looking to clear out. You should check out sales not only from the designer’s website but also from any retailers who carry the labels you’re looking for—they may even have additional discounts to save even more. Make sure to visit stores in person to see any exclusive clearance or savings on the rack, too. You also will want to pay attention to any coupons offered. Retailers may provide significant coupons for new shoppers or regular customers with reward points. Take advantage of these whenever you can.
Hand-Me-Downs
If you know someone of a size and taste in fashion similar to yours, they may have garments that they’ve outgrown or no longer need. Consider letting them know that you’re willing to take any outgrown wardrobe off of their hands if they don’t need it anymore. You can even offer to pay a small fee for them so they get a good return on their investment; you’ll likely pay far less than new options at the store. You may even find some luxury secondhand accessories, like designer watches. Family members are great for hand-me-downs as well.
Mix-and-Match
If you’re not mixing and matching your wardrobe, you’re not taking advantage of your existing wardrobe. When you buy two pairs of pants and two shirts, you don’t just have two outfits. By mixing the pants and shirts, you can make at least four outfits from these garments. Pair some pants with a different shirt. Take your shirts and wear different blazers with them. By mixing and matching, you can create new looks without spending anything.
Browse Social Media
Thrift stores or friends aren’t the only secondhand sources for affordable business attire. On social media, you can easily find used clothing sales or yard sale announcements. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are some popular examples of classifieds where you can score some great prices on gently worn clothing. Just be mindful of scams; don’t pay for what you haven’t seen!
Rent When Necessary
If you have a formal work event coming up and none of your wardrobe fits the bill, consider renting a more formal wardrobe. While you still have to pay for renting clothes, you’ll pay far less than buying a designer outfit that you may only wear once. It may be more economical to purchase the outfit if you need it frequently, but if you’ll only need it once, it doesn’t make sense to pay the full purchase price for it.
Outlets and Discount Stores
If you prefer to find brand-new clothing, visit some outlets or discount stores. Outlet stores typically provide name-brand clothing at discount rates, as they may be overstocked, discontinued, or out of season. Discount stores work similarly, but they may carry a wide variety of brands instead of just one. You can search online for discount or outlet stores in your area. There may also be some outlet retailers online.
Conclusion
The secret to saving money on a high-quality business wardrobe is to buy the best quality less often. If you buy cheaper clothes, you may save on the initial price tag, but you’ll have to replace the pieces more often, which can cost you more money in the long run. To avoid wasting money, visit stores in person as frequently as possible to try on garments before you make the purchase. Creating a budget for clothing can also prevent out-of-control spending. With the right approaches, you’ll look your best when you walk into work without burning your wallet.
