9 Clever Ways To Get New Clothes On A Budget

It’s no secret that keeping up with the latest fashion aesthetics can get expensive.

Unless you are an A-list celebrity, you probably don’t have infinite amount money to spare each month for new clothes. However, there are ways to get new clothes for your aesthetic needs without breaking the bank.

In this article, we will look at nine of them. Keep reading!

1. Thrift stores & Glorified thrift stores

The first option is a classic and something a Boomer would say: Shop at thrift stores. Except these days, there are thrift stores for all price levels of fashion. You can find some great clothing items at local thrift stores, but there might be true gems on sites like ThredUp.

And then you can get verified designer clothes for a fraction of the cost on sites like The Real Real or Poshmark.

2. Shop online

Another option for obtaining new clothes without wrecking your home budget is to shop online.

There are so many websites that sell clothes online and most of them release discount coupons like the ones available at DealDrop.com. That way, you can get new clothes without spending a lot of money.

There are a ton of great online stores that offer affordable but cute clothes. Most of these offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount, because “free shipping” is what we all want to read in every store’s header.

Not to mention, you can often find better deals online than you can in stores. Especially as you can order from a range of stores in just a few clicks, and have them all delivered to your door.

3. Consignment shops

Consignment shops are an alternative to thrift stores and a great way to find cheap clothes.

The advantage is that you can often find higher quality items in consignment stores since the clothing there is only slightly used.

You may have to go through more stuff to find a good garment that catches your eye, but it’s worth it to save the money. Also, don’t be afraid to negotiate with the salespeople. They’re usually willing to come down on the price if you’re buying multiple items. And, if you’re a student, many consignment shops will offer discounts.

4. Garage sales

When it comes to clothes, garage sales are a great way to find lightly used items for cheap. You can often find designer clothes or name-brand items for a fraction of the cost. However, be sure to try things on before you buy them as some garage sales do not allow returns.

If you have never been to a garage sale before, they are basically when people sell items from their home that they no longer want or need. Garage sales are best for indie home decor things and trinkets but sometimes, people will sell clothes that they have only worn a few times. This is a great way to get new clothes without spending a lot of money.

To find garage sales in your area, you can search online or look for signs in your neighborhood. Garage sales are typically held on weekends, so be sure to plan accordingly.

5. Online auction marketplaces have a pretty good selection of basics

If you are not into DIY or do not have time to go thrifting, online auctions and classifieds websites like eBay and Craigslist can be your next best option.

You can find some great deals on these sites if you are willing to put in the time to search through them. Just make sure that you know the seller’s return policy before making a purchase. Likewise, classified websites can be a great way to find lightly used clothes, but a lot depends on where you live.

There are people who make living reselling clothes on auctions and marketplaces, but their clothes will usually be basics - nothing trendy and nothing aesthetic - because it has to appeal to the majority.

Then there are the individuals who sell garments they bought and never wore, or accessories they bought for, say, a 60s themed party. Those item can be an absolutely amazing find for someone who wears that aesthetic.

6. Friends and family members, if they have good taste

If have a close friend or family member who is a fashionista, you are in for some serious envy from me!

You can always expect them to give you some of their clothes that they no longer need, and if they are a true fashionista, they probably don’t need an item they wore once or twice.

You might be surprised by how many trendy and fashionable items they are willing to give you. And the best part is, it won’t cost you a dime!

7. Clothing swap events for aesthetic fashion

Once you have decluttered your wardrobe, you may find that you don’t need to buy as many new clothes as you thought.

A great way to get new-to-you clothes for free is to attend clothing swap events. These are usually organized by friends, co-workers, or even a group of local fashion bloggers.

Each person brings a certain number of gently used items to the event and then gets to choose new items from what others have brought. It’s a great way to get rid of clothes you no longer want and freshen up your wardrobe without spending any money.

8. Outlet malls are great for high-quality basics

Of course, one of the easiest ways to save money on clothing is to simply shop at outlet malls.

Outlet malls can be great because they offer brand-name clothing with a lower price tag. You can often find shirts, pants, and even dresses for a fraction of the cost that you would pay at a the brand’s regular retail store.

That said, be aware that outlet malls typically carry clothes that is just going out of fashion. It’s great for basics but as long as you care about trends even a little bit, do not expect to find any serious gems.

Basics are important too, though. They can be reused between different aesthetics and you will wear them a lot, so it pays off to have high quality basics.

9. Seasonal and special deals, even where you wouldn’t expect them

The last way to save money on clothing is to look for deals, coupons and vouchers.

You can often find coupons for clothing stores in the Sunday paper or on websites like RetailMeNot.com.

But in addition to that, almost all brands that sell clothes run seasonal sales. These are usually steep discounts as the brands need to clear their warehouses to make space for the garments for the new season.

It’s always worth checking your favorite brand’s websites and your favorite Etsy sellers between seasons. But also do check around November’s Black Friday, even though Black Friday was originally a clearance day for electronics. Some brands run special collections for Christmas and will still do a quick sale in November to prepare for the holiday collections.

In the end, these are nine useful ways to obtain new clothes without damaging your home budget. With a little bit of creativity and effort, you can easily find ways to save money and still keep up with the latest trends.

So, what are you waiting for? Start exploring some of these options today and see how much money you can save! Who knows, you might even find some new favorite pieces in the process.