The Secret to Affording Snazzy Clothes

With the holidays right around the corner and those catchy commercials in full swing, my shopping list just seems to be growing! But my bank account is totally disagreeing. The good news is, when it comes to affording luxury dresses and designer shoes, we don’t have to be rich. Sometimes it’s nice to treat yo’self – but it doesn’t require breaking the bank.

Save up, don’t borrow

Expensive clothing isn’t worth taking out a loan for (or even using a credit card – though, it’s totally tempting). It’s so fun to wear new things, but if they’ve put you in debt, you may regret the decision to buy them, which takes all of the fun out of wearing them. Instead, set a goal and make a plan to put aside a few dollars to save up for the luxuries you have your eye on. It helps to shop around to find the best bank for a savings account - the higher the interest rates, the quicker you’ll be able to afford that dream dress or that perfect pair of shoes. You can also try selling items in your wardrobe to save up the money.

Shop out of season

Without a doubt, my favorite place to shop is the clearance racks. You can often get discounts on designer clothing by shopping out of season. Winter coats tend to be cheaper in the summer and those fancy branded sunglasses and expensive swimwear are cheaper right after the cruise ships have set sail. Retailers may not always sell these items in stores, but you may be able to find them online. There are even sites that specialize in selling outof season clothing at discount prices.

Use luxury clothing hire companies

If you’re the type of person that only dresses up on the odd occasion, like me, owning luxury clothing could be a sad waste of money hanging unused in your closet. Instead, you could be better off hiring clothing. Luxurydress hire companies charge a tenth of the sale value, allowing you the experience of wearing a $500 dress for $50. Such clothes are professionally cleaned and pressed after every use so that they look brand new. Just make sure you return these items in time, otherwise you could face a hefty late charge. Some of these companies even allow you to buy items if you don’t want to return them, but often you’ll pay much more than were you to buy these items elsewhere (in other words, use rental companies for renting only!).

Never underestimate the power of thrifting

Thrifting is by far my favorite way to score “new-to-me” finds at a fraction of the price. Not only do I find unique pieces, but sometimes I score fancy items that are in great condition. You can also find great deals on used luxury clothing online through the likes of eBay and Amazon. The only caution I have for shopping for these finds online is that you can’t judge the condition as easily as you can in person. If you are going to buy an item online, make sure the seller is trusted and ensure that they’ve provided good quality images and a description of the condition. (You can always message them for more information if they haven’t supplied enough information.) Sites like Gumtree are worth trying as you can pick up items in person allowing you to inspect the condition in person. 

No matter which avenue you pursue, there are so many ways to check off your shopping list without breaking the bank!