How to Save Money on Clothes

Have you got a love of clothes shopping and a wish to save money?  I’ve got you!  There are so many easy ways to save money without missing out on things you need and want and you may well get better items and save money in the process!

One of the best ways to achieve savings that I have found is to shift my mindset and shop for items secondhand.  I look at shopping second hand in the same way that I look at shopping for a car.  If you are the first owner, you take the biggest hit on depreciation, if you are the second, that depreciation has already been factored in and you get a better bargain.  Pre-loved items are generally still in great condition (if you shop wisely) and let’s be honest, once you have worn or used something once, it is no longer new anyway.  Why not make the most of that and keep more of your hard earned cash for yourself?

Plan your purchases

As well as shopping second hand, try to shop mindfully.  Don’t buy something just because it’s cheap.  To really save money on clothes , you need to have a list of items you want, which you keep in the notes on your phone so it is always with you.  You can tick things off as you buy (I find there is something very satisfying about ticking items off a list!).  This will help you to look out for things when you are out and about and also on second hand sites.  It means that you are less likely to buy something unless it is on the list and actually what you need/want. They key here is to avoid spontaneous purchases of random items just becasue they were cheap.  It will also help with clutter, as you are likely to buy less and have a wardrobe that is better curated. 

Be inspired

Look for outfit ideas on Pinterest then add any outfits you like to an inspiration board.  You can then add items to your list of wants from this inspiration.  You will then be more focused on particular looks that you like than just purchasing blindly.  It also opens up different brands and styling that you might not have considered because you will be looking for a particular kind of item and not necessarily a specific item from a particular brand.

Budget for purchases

Having a budget that you set aside every month for clothing purchases, really helps to think carefully before you make a purchase.  The budget can be as big or as small as you want to make it, as long as it fits within your overall budget.  Consider your habits and desires when creating a budget, but also be realistic.  I buy my own and my children’s clothing from my monthly clothing budget, and only what I know that we need.  Some months I don’t spend it all and can roll over the excess to the following month to give me a bigger budget that month.  Check out the way I use HyperJar for my monthly spending and budgeting.

Be ruthless

We are probably all guilty of holding on to items that we know we don’t wear or don’t fit or suit us.  Give yourself permission to purge those items.  Sell on anything in good condition that no longer fits or is no longer in favour.  This will help with additional budget to replace these items, buy something you want more, or you can try a challenge like the one I am doing this year to pay for Christmas by selling on our old clothes.

Have an occasion that needs a special outfit, such as a wedding, theatre event or ball?  Buy your outfit, wear it and then sell on again after the event.  You can save even more by buying a pre-loved outfit.  Often special occasion wear has been worn once, so you are really buying something as new.  Let’s be real here, how regularly do you wear formal outfits? Once you have worn something once, do you really want to wear it again?  Better to sell it on and use the cash for something else than have it hang in your wardrobe taking up space and creating extra clutter.

Try a capsule wardrobe

Having been put off of the idea of a capsule wardrobe for many years by the incorrect assumption that I would have to throw away all my clothes and start from scratch, or only have 5 items in rotation and stick with one colour, I have begun curating a more polished wardrobe. A more old money vibe, with items that work together to make different outfits.  Start by using your favourite items in your wardrobe and build from there.  It can really help to save money on clothes by forcing you to think about each item and how it will work with the rest of your wardrobe and the outfits you can make.

A capsule wardrobe doesn’t, however, mean that you can’t buy something that is its own stand alone piece. You can make your wardrobe your own and create something you truly love and feel inspired to wear. There are many great articles in how to create a capsule online.  Check out my Pinterest board here to get started.

Where to shop

1. Charity shops, although I find that they have become a lot more expensive recently.  Take a look around your area and get a feel for the shops that get the best donations and price most reasonably.  There are often better items in the more affluent areas, so can be worth travelling.  Less well off areas tend to have cheaper prices, especially for children’s items, so consider what is the most important factor and visit the shops most appropriate to your needs.
2. Vinted is another fave, and probably my go to these days.  It’s usually actually cheaper than buying from charity shops, even once you add the postage and buyer fees in.  Use your list of wants and favourite items to your list.  You can haggle with sellers and often they are open to some negotiation on price.  Looking through that sellers other items can often yield more items you wish to buy, which brings the price per item down with a single postage fee and bundle discounts, but again, don’t buy something just because it’s cheap!
3. Preworn is a site I have recently come across and the prices are great. Postage is free and you can earn loyalty points on purchases, as well as by liking and sharing on social media. You can then use the points towards your next purchase. 100 points gives you £1 to spend on the site. You get 25% off your first order too, so well worth a look.
4. Facebook Marketplace is great for local bargains and niche items, such as school uniforms, sports kits, gymnastics and dance uniforms and outfits for specific local occasions.  I live near the coast, so tend to purchase things such as wetsuits via Facebook marketplace, rather than online, as you can view the item before you buy and check the fit.  Since children grow so quickly, it doesn’t make sense to purchase new each year or growth spurt and I have often bought something, had two children wear it and then sell on again for a similar price as the items are still in great condition.  Again, the first buyer takes the biggest hit on the depreciation.
5. EBay is also a great shopping arena, but I have noticed the decline recently in second hand items and it has become more of a marketplace for generic cheap items.  There are still bargains to be had, though, so definitely worth a look.  Especially for designer goods.  And with more people flocking to Vinted, there are less buyers on eBay to drive up the auction prices.

In conclusion, saving money while still enjoying a love for shopping is entirely possible with a few simple strategies. By shifting your mindset towards secondhand shopping and planning purchases, you can make significant savings without sacrificing style or quality. Whether it’s exploring charity shops, utilising online platforms like Vinted and Facebook Marketplace or checking out eBay for unique finds, there are plenty of avenues to explore to save money on clothes. With a bit of creativity and determination, you can build a wardrobe that reflects your personal style while keeping your finances in check. So, go ahead, shop smart, and enjoy the thrill of finding amazing deals while saving money for the things that truly matter.

Do you have any other tips to save money on clothes? Let me know in the comments.

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