13 Tips For Reinventing Your Wardrobe on a Budget

Credit: Style My Soul | www.stylemysoul.com | Wardrobe Reinvention

Style My Soul Explores …

“What are some tips for reinventing your wardrobe without breaking the bank or needing to purchase new items?”

Create a Clothing Exchange
​Trade with friends! Setting up a frequent clothing exchange with friends can reinvigorate your wardrobe for very little cost. Assuming you and your friends have similar sizes, you can borrow these clothes for special occasions, or even just casual get-togethers. Sharing clothing with your friends can be a great way to spruce up your wardrobe. -- Dan Potter, Co-Founder, CRAFTD London

Save Money by Thrifting
Whenever it’s time to reinvent myself, I swing by the local thrift stores for an artistic “peep-a-boo.” Of course, some people might say that thrifting isn’t stylish because you’re just wearing someone else’s old clothes. But I would argue that it’s more authentic than following the latest trends; plus, who doesn’t like to save a buck? When you thrift, you’re not trying to look like everyone else — you’re trying to express your unique style, and isn’t that what fashion is really all about? --Ryan Rottman, Co-Founder & CEO, OSDB Sports

Buy Discounted Gift Cards
Buy discounted gift cards from sites like CardCash, Raise, or Giftcard Granny. These sites have gift cards from department stores, clothing chains, and specialty stores. They offer a huge range of discounts on the card’s value. The largest discounts I’ve gotten on clothing-related cards have been upwards of 40%, and you can use these gift cards in stores or online to pay for almost anything. They’re great for buying clothes, shoes, jewelry, and much more. If you combine these with coupons and cash-back browser extensions, you can save lots when reinventing your wardrobe. -- Matthew Ramirez, CEO, Rephrasely
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Start by Taking Inventory of What You Have
One of the best tips for reinventing your wardrobe without breaking the bank is to start by taking inventory of what you have. Go through your clothes and figure out what you wear regularly and what you don’t. Once you have a good idea of what you have to work with, you can get creative with how you put your outfits together. If you feel you’re stuck in a style rut, try shopping your own closet first and see what new combinations you can come up with. It might surprise you how many new looks you can create with the clothes you already have. -- Sandeep Bhandari, Co-Founder, Askanydifference
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Build a Strong Foundation First
One of the best ways to reinvent your wardrobe on a budget is to invest in a few high-quality classic pieces that will last and can be worn indefinitely. You can add some flair to these classic pieces with a small statement piece or even on a trendier, less expensive clothing item. If you have the foundation of a classic wardrobe, you can reinvent it with small additions, like a leopard print belt or an interesting piece of jewelry. Classic, high-quality pieces are worth the investment because they never go out of style and can be worn in multiple ways. -- Sumeer Kaur, CEO, Lashkaraa

Hear Me Out: Knitting
Knitting has recently captured the hearts of Gen Z, making it a trend, and for good reason. When knitting, you’re not condemned to only make sweaters (perfect for the holiday season) — from bags to crop tops, sleeveless tops, hats, skirts, and oversize or Jacquemus-style knitted cardigans — there’s a plethora of cool items to choose from. You get to pick the exact color you want from an entire palette (or mixed, multicolored yarn), so you’re not limited to seasonal colors and collections. Before you write it off, thinking it’s challenging, Gen Z proves learning basic patterns isn’t hard. One simple item is enough for you to create new styles within your wardrobe. And you’ll find you’ll want to keep creating more pieces as it’s relaxing (you can listen to your favorite podcast in the meantime) and incredibly satisfying. You can buy yarn at a relatively good price, and making your own clothing or accessory from scratch will definitely slow your need to purchase new items. -- Nicole Ostrowska, Career Expert, Zety

Experiment With What You Already Have
One tip for reinventing your wardrobe without breaking the bank or needing to purchase new items is to get creative with what you already have. I’m always willing to experiment with new fashion styles and trends. I think it’s important to keep up with the latest trends and to also be open to trying new things. I love to experiment with different styles and looks, and I have a lot of fun coming up with new outfit combinations. Who knows, you might just find a new style that you love! Try pairing items together that you wouldn’t normally think to put together. Also, don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and trends. It may surprise you how much you like something you never thought you would. Try pairing a dress with a pair of jeans or a skirt with a blouse. You can also try wearing different colors and patterns together. Be creative and have fun with your wardrobe. -- Brad Burnie, Founder, Starships

Repair Worn Clothing
​So many of us discard articles of clothing that are becoming frayed or missing buttons. Many of us have a stack of clothing we plan to repair or have been saving for when they once again fit. For a nominal cost, a local tailor or seamstress can repair these items. Sewing new hems and replacing buttons or tears can refresh clothing and make them like new again. We can also have clothing taken in or let out to make items we haven’t worn due to weight fluctuation fit once again. By providing a small bit of maintenance, we can refresh our wardrobe without the expensive costs of purchasing new clothing. -- Andrew Adamo, VP, Bullion Shark

Recreate What You Might Find in Fashion Magazines
Think of the clothes inside your closet as an opportunity for a vast remix. You can take anything that you used to wear and turn it into an accessory that jives perfectly with present-day fashion trends. Allow fashion magazines and social media to be your guide. You can pair up tops by layering a thin-strapped top with a long-sleeved white or black shirt underneath. If there is a dress that you think looks old, out-of-style, or frumpy, you could always tighten it at the waist and wear a sweater over the top of it. That way, it looks simply like a skirt that perfectly matches the sweater. Call a few friends over and have them offer you some ideas. Try on the outfits in front of them and let them tell you what they think. You can always lean on your other fashion-conscious friends to give you the lowdown on what works and what doesn’t. They can be as good a guide as Cosmopolitan. Have both at your disposal and take advantage. -- Emily Saunders, Chief Revenue Officer, eLuxury

Buy Vintage
One great way to revamp your wardrobe without breaking the bank is to shop vintage. There are so many great finds, both designer and non, to be found in a second-hand store. Designer items are generally left in great shape and go for less than half their original price. But my favorite vintage finds are unique pieces from other eras, which, in my opinion, are priceless. Luckily, they are usually not expensive! But these items will certainly garner attention and compliments. And it only takes a few key pieces to completely change your closet and outfit rotation! In conclusion, if you’re looking to revamp your wardrobe on a tight budget, head to the vintage stores! -- Cayla Gao, Public Relations Manager, Depology

​Hop on Pinterest for Inspiration and Ideas
It’s not always necessary to buy or purchase a new thing. It can be fun a few times, but you can do a lot for your wardrobe and you can reinvent old pieces and create a trend from the pieces. I believe that we can style every old piece in many new ways and that it’s easy and fun if you just take some time to think creatively and outside the box. You can always watch some inspirational videos to get inspired and have ideas on new looks from old outfits. For example, you can turn a skirt into a western saree look. Outside inspiration can be great. For inspiration, I would recommend you to hop on Pinterest and check your favorite styling creativity without spending a penny. -- Preston Powell, CEO, Webserv

​Be on the Watch for Sales
Malls know everyone enjoys a good deal. For getting fantastic deals on apparel, footwear, and items from your preferred retailers, these discounts are your best chance. It’s important to pay attention to when they’re being hosted because they periodically occur. The larger shopping centers typically host sales during the holiday season, however, some might also do so in the middle of the year.
Rene Delgado, Founder & CEO, Shop Indoor Golf

​Examine Community Marketplaces on the Web
Not only looking for the next big deal on your preferred e-commerce platform, but the internet is also a great source for bargain hunters. When you join neighborhood Facebook buy-and-sell groups or use resale apps like Carousell, you can also locate fantastic new and used goods. Both may be fantastic resources for discovering amazing discounts on the brands you love, and you can bargain with most dealers until you find a price that you both agree upon as well.
-- Matthew Appleton, E-Commerce Manager, Appleton Sweets