Planning a Wardrobe on a Budget
Minimize Super Trendy Item Spending
It may seem smart to stay away from super trendy items, but sometimes a cutting-edge purchase seems fitting for a night out or another special event. Therefore, try to budget about 20 percent of total wardrobe spending on these fly-by-night trends.
Suitable garments for this category include textiles with notable patterns, discount or cheaply produced products, extreme silhouettes and hard-to-launder items.
Stock Up on the Staples
Staple purchases include items like cotton T-shirts, camisole tops, layering tees and stylish, fashionable pieces. This is a great area for interesting patterns that aren't too memorable to wear repeatedly, as well as jeans and items from favorite designers. For good measure, invest 30 percent of total wardrobe spending on these goods.
When purchasing for this section of the closet, keep in mind that these clothing items are ones that will wear out over time. Buy the best available for the money, but don't be scared to hit the sale rack and stock up. Many of these pieces should work as accent touches for the last buying category.
Invest in the Wardrobe Workhorses
The remaining 50 percent of wardrobe spending should go toward the hard-working pieces---well-made black pants, good bras, a perfect white shirt and a red cashmere sweater. Try to buy solid colors here so there's a lot of room to play. Classic patterns in basic colors are also a nice investment.
The 50 percent category gets even better if you hit stores during sale season to stock up. For real hard-core shoppers, sample sales often offer slightly imperfect versions of these basics for a fraction of the price. Check the resource links for more information on sales and discounts.
Be on the Mend
Don't give up on everything in your closet. Instead, go through and assess whether certain pieces would work with some updating. An old blouse can become new again with new buttons, or a suit can be tailored along better-fitting lines. Scuffed shoes can get a new lease on life with some spray paint and clip-on earrings from the nearby vintage stores. For those who can't sew, try bartering repair services for a useful service in return. Another community- and wardrobe-building exercise is to attend swap meets.
There are plenty of chances to produce a well-rounded wardrobe on the cheap, but it takes concentration, work and discipline.
Tags: wardrobe spending, percent total, percent total wardrobe, Planning Wardrobe, Planning Wardrobe Budget
