Back to School Fashion Tips On a Budget
Diving back into the school season as the summer wraps up is an exciting time to shop for supplies, books, and of course, clothes. Establishing your new look for the school year is a fun and fashion-focused process, but it can also cost a pretty penny. If you’re hoping to head to class with a revamped sense of style, it’s always important to get the biggest bang for your buck. Consider these tips below on how to put together your back to school look on a budget.
Do Some DIY
A great way to spend some of your final days of summer free time is to DIY your favorite back-to-school style trends. Get creative and spend a day turning items you already have into perfect wardrobe essentials that you won’t want to live without. Try your hand at turning an old flannel into a backpack, or cut up some t-shirts to tie into headbands. With DIY, the possibilities are endless, and the money you save will be well worth the work you put into your projects.
Go Thrifting
With National Thrift Store Day approaching on August 17th, you’ll see even more markdowns on your favorite used finds. Track what your local consignment stores are offering in terms of sales, and don’t be afraid of the hunt! Shopping used will save you loads of money, and will give your look a unique, vintage vibe. Or, should you prefer a more modern style, you can always shop used at online consignment stores like thredUP. You’ll find all of your favorite brands like well-known Madewell apparel, and much more at an affordable price tag.
Sales Are Everything
Though it might be tempting to start splurging on all the newly advertised school looks out on the racks, always check for upcoming sales first. More often than not, most shops offer coupons and student discounts on top of holding entire weekends of mark-downs.
Don’t spend $50 on a new pair of jeans only to find out you could have purchased them for half the price if you had waited a week later. Stay smart and remember that sales are everything. You can even enroll yourself in shopper rewards programs for your favorite brands to be sure you stay up to date on every mark-down and each coupon option.
Swap Before You Shop
A fun reason to get all of your friends together for your last summer sleepover is by holding a clothing and accessory swap. Though you might no longer wear your old Adidas sneakers or use all of the purses you own, your friends may have had their eye on some of your unwanted items for a while.
Invite over your closest girlfriends and have them bring the clothing and accessories they no longer wear or want. Swapping items will help ensure your clothing has a longer closet life, and it will save you money on new styles for the back-to-school season!
Go Closet Diving
Chances are, there are several people in your family who have clothing pieces they never wear anymore. From your grandmother’s retro windbreaker to your older cousin’s unwanted fall dresses, don’t be afraid to ask if you can go closet diving. Though the results will vary, it’s a fun and engaging way to spend time with family while possibly getting free back-to-school clothes in the process!
Put Your Shopping on Hold
As tempting as it is to walk into classes on the first day with a new style, the most foolproof way to save on your look is to wait. The best sales on back-to-school styles usually occur after September, still giving you ample time to show off your new fashion sense during the first part of the year. Waiting for the mark-downs will be worth it once you find out that you can double the amount of clothing in your closet for the exact same price you would’ve spent on fewer items at the beginning of the year.
Choose 1 Splurge Item
If you know that you won’t be able to trust yourself when you head over to the mall, set a rule for your shopping that you can only splurge on one item. Whether it be the new pair of fall boots you had your eye on or those mom jeans that fit perfectly, splurging only once will help you stick closer to your intended budget. There’s nothing wrong with treating yourself as long as you do it within your means.