According to Statista, for 2014, the number of people who said they shopped for clothes at any clothing store within the last three months added up to 195.78 million. This simply means that having decent clothes is on top of people’s budget priorities, right next to food and shelter.
Now, if you are a mom who is on a budget or a fresh-off-college employee who is looking forward to updating your wardrobe, can you do it using $50 or less? Definitely! Find out how you can accomplish this feat in the next section. Keep reading, because we know just how to renew your entire wardrobe with less than $50!
Top 20 Ways to Renew Your Wardrobe in Under $50
If you think that you need to spend a fortune to renew your entire wardrobe, think again. There are actually plenty of things that you can do in order to update your clothes using $50 or less. The key is to know which types of clothes you will need on a daily basis, and which cuts will perfectly complement your body type. It also helps to have a knowledge of colors, a bit of the fashion trends, and to keep a close look at available sales so that you can get the best bang for your buck. To get started, here is a list of our top 20 techniques on how you can renew your entire wardrobe using fifty dollars or less:
1. Wardrobe renewal technique: Organize your closet.
Cost: None.
The number one thing that you need to do in order to renew your entire wardrobe is to conduct an inventory of it. If you haven’t cleaned out your closet for a year, you might find plenty of clothes there with the tags still, which you forgot that you bought in the first place. There would also be items which are totally worn out or do not fit anymore that you might want to throw in the recycle container. Only keep the items that you can still wear decent clothes, so that you can plan your outfits a lot more quickly.
2. Wardrobe renewal technique: Mix patterns.
Cost: None.
Next, do not hesitate to mix patterns. Fashion trends simply come and go and the floral top that you wore five years ago could easily become a throwback trend. Don’t be afraid to match that floral top with a plain bottom or a striped skirt. Plaid and polka dots or animal prints with coordinating colors also surprisingly work. Just make sure to match these with plain or muted accessories to keep your look from becoming too busy.
3. Wardrobe renewal technique: Mix and match.
Cost: None.
Another no-cost way of updating your wardrobe is to mix and match. If you have a white men’s shirt, you can wear it with palazzo pants, a classic pencil skirt or over a dress with the waist tied together. Don’t be afraid to mix and match the items that you already have in your closet to give your wardrobe an instant upgrade.
4. Wardrobe renewal technique: Go online for some style inspiration.
Cost: None.
If you’re lacking in style inspiration, simply go online. Check out fashion websites which will inspire you to dress up. Pinterest and Instagram are a thrive of information on how you can come up with outfits that have cool color or pattern combinations.
5. Wardrobe renewal technique: Reinvent the items which are already in your wardrobe.
Cost: None.
Creativity is key if you would like to reinvent your entire wardrobe at no cost. Put together a pile of clothes which you can recreate into something new. For instance, a sleeveless summer frock can be turned into a maxi skirt simply by cutting off the top and sewing on a garter belt on the waist. An old pair of jeans can be turned into lacey shorts, or you can bling up a plain t-shirt to spice it up.
6. Wardrobe renewal technique: Layer.
Cost: None.
Layering is a technique that you can use even if it’s not winter or fall to create an entirely new look using the items that you already own. That little black dress can be worn as a casual office outfit by wearing a formal blazer over it. Fitted tops can be worn under larger or oversized blouses to provide that layering effect. Again, it pays to go online to borrow some style inspiration.
7. Wardrobe renewal technique: Use your existing jewelry and accessories.
Cost: None.
A beaded necklace can be used to spice up an otherwise plain dress. You can stack bracelets together to pump up the look of your plain jeans and t-shirt when going out. You’ll be surprised at how different your outfits would look with a little more bling.
8. Wardrobe renewal technique: Plan your outfits ahead of time.
Cost: None.
If you’re an office worker, it does pay to plan your outfits ahead of time. When you take the time to plan what you are going to wear, you can come up with more creative ways to put together the items that you already have to create an entirely different look.
9. Wardrobe renewal technique: Buy a new lipstick shade.
Cost: $50 or less
Sometimes, all it takes is a different lipstick shade to overhaul your regular look. If you always wear pink lipstick, for example, try on a vampy red. This will put the focus away from what you’re wearing to your face.
10. Wardrobe renewal technique: Buy a new belt.
Cost: $20 or less
Thin, thick or belts made from unique materials can instantly change the look of your regular clothes. Wear a skinny belt over a dress t-shirt or a thick belt with your jumper suit. Belts are an easy way to add some personality to your existing wardrobe.
11. Wardrobe renewal technique: Buy a cool jacket.
Cost: $50 or less.
If you don’t want co-workers to notice that you are wearing the same stuff over and over again, a cool jacket is a cheap way to vary things up.
12. Wardrobe renewal technique: Sell the clothes you never wear to make extra money.
Cost: None.
If you’re still in the process of organizing your closet, you will stumble upon clothes that you have never worn simply because you don’t like them anymore. Sell these to make extra money, and use the funds to spice things up with your existing wardrobe.
13. Wardrobe renewal technique: Learn how to sew to make or fix your own clothes.
Cost: None.
You don’t even have to buy a sewing machine – even an old-fashioned sewing kit will do. There are plenty of DIY techniques that you can do to cover up the holes in your favorite jeans, or change the buttons on your cardigan. Sewing will help you update your wardrobe or repair your existing clothes with little or no cost at all.
14. Wardrobe renewal technique: Solidify your wardrobe with the basics.
Cost: $50 or less.
If you haven’t already invested in the basics, you can easily update your wardrobe using $50 or less. A classic white shirt, an A-line skirt, a nautical stripe top, a silky camisole or a solid-color cardigan are some of the things that you can invest in. The good news is that you can easily mix and match these basics with what you already have in your closet to come up with new looks.
15. Wardrobe renewal technique: Buy new shoes.
Cost: $50 or less.
You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to buy a pair of designer shoes. As long as it’s a good fit, you can instantly update your look by putting on a new pair of shoes.
16. Wardrobe renewal technique: Shop for new items at a thrift shop.
Cost: $50 or less.
Thrift shops are a treasure trove or unique clothing items that you can inject into your existing wardrobe for some style inspiration. Go online and check out which thrift shops are within your area, or you can shop from the online store itself.
17. Wardrobe renewal technique: Update your handbag.
Cost: $50 or less.
If you have an old designer handbag that you are not using, you can buy a repair kit online or have it fixed by a pro. Sometimes, all your bag needs is a bit of tender loving care and less than $50 so you can use it again with your existing wardrobe.
18. Wardrobe renewal technique: Make your staple items look brand new.
Cost: $50 or less.
A conservative business suit is a staple item that women wear regularly. To make this look brand new, why not add a gorgeous scarf or put a skinny belt over your suit jacket? These are tiny touches that will make your staple items look brand new.
19. Wardrobe renewal technique: Buy new scarves.
Cost: $50 or less.
Silk scarves will set you back $20 or less, so you can invest in a couple with beautiful patterns and varying lengths. Use this as a belt, as a head scarf, as a neck scarf – the possibilities of how you can integrate it with your existing outfits are practically endless.
20. Wardrobe renewal technique: Buy a ladylike jacket.
Cost: $50 or less.
You can buy a French ladylike jacket for $50 or less. Wear it instead of your usual business jacket, or over a simple pair of jeans and t-shirt to spruce up your look when going out.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to renew your entire wardrobe without having to spend so much, so get started right now!