If you’ve got a weakness for brand names, looking good can be a pricey pursuit. The good news is there are clever ways to cut your fashion costs.
By Daniella Doughan
If you love quality fashion you’re probably used to spending up big to look good. The top brands come at a lofty price, after all.
Fortunately, that’s not always the case. There are some key ways you can have your brands and stay in the black, too. Here are five easy ways to cut your fashion costs.
1. Learn your measurements
That is, your measurements now. Today. Not what they were five years and a faster metabolism ago. And not what they will be after nothing but chia seeds and Bikram yoga for six weeks.
For guys, go to a tailor to adjust suits to fit. Once you know your measurements, it’s easy to shop off the rack or online for things like shirts and jackets.
For girls, it means not trying to squeeze into a smaller size for the sake of a one-digit size tag.
No matter how much you spend, things are going to look cheap if they don’t fit properly and you’re not comfortable. The flip side is, if you buy garments that fit you perfectly, you’re guaranteed to look good.
2. Go local
Local markets are one of the best sources of recycled or one-off finds. Most up-and-coming designers cut their teeth at local markets and there’s nothing better than discovering the next big thing.
Just think, Sass and Bide kicked off their career at a trestle table by a park bench.
Vinnies, the Salvos and other op shops can also be goldmines for brand names if you’ve got the time. Check out thrift shops in some of the more exclusive suburbs in your city for some sweet designer buys at a fraction of the price.
3. Know when and where sales are
Yeah there’s post-Christmas, New Year and mid-year sales, but it’s a competitive and saturated market out there and this means retailers are constantly in sales mode to try and grab your cash.
Sign up for email alerts from your favourite stores so they can tell you when things are on sale. Paying full price for anything these days is a crime, so do your wallet a favour and don’t give your beloved stores more profit than they need.
4. Rent your favourites
Instead of spending hundreds on a brand-name dress or pair of shoes you might only wear for one or two occasions, rent your dream outfit instead.
It’s increasingly becoming a mainstream thing to do (though, let’s face it, nobody needs to know you’re renting anyway!).
Choose an outfit online and have it delivered to your home, wear it to your event and return it when you’re done. If an outfit arrives and doesn’t fit, most outlets will refund your money provided you return it with all tags intact. The best picks:
5. Hit the online resale stores
One of the best ways to cut your fashion costs is by buying pre-owned designer clothes and handbags via online resale stores. Places like The Closet and Revoir in Australia or The RealReal and Vestiaire Collective in the US are treasure troves of discount brands.
You’ll find exactly what you want at a tiny fraction of what the items cost new.
Beware, though. Buying 4 new handbags at one of these stores is still going to cost you a motza! Go gently.
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