Shopping on a budget

With the threat of a double recession looming ahead, the idea of going clothes shopping may no longer induce the feelings of excitement that it once did. New clothes are still a necessity from time to time but many consumers find themselves more and more concerned with saving money. Still, this needn’t mean that shopping has to become boring or that you should settle for lesser quality. To key is to be inventive in the way that you shop. Here are a few tips for shopping on a budget.

Shop around. If you’re on the look out for a certain item to fill the gap in your wardrobe, for example a white shirt for work, you should visit a few different shops before you settle on one. See what’s out there – yes you may really like one shirt you’ve found but there might be a better, less expensive version out there. Don’t just go for the first thing you see.

Generally high street shops offer good quality at reasonable prices so it’s worth checking here first to see what’s available. Fast fashion means that the best shops are always carrying the latest trends at affordable prices – for example, take a look at New Look’s cheap ladies coats online – cheap doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style.

If you don’t want to go the high street route, check out the local vintage and charity shops to see if there are any bargains to be had. Depending on which area you’re in, you can find some genuine treasures in local charity shops, the general rule of thumb being the wealthier the area, the higher quality the stock. In London, the affluent areas of Kensington and Chelsea are a great place for fashionistas on a budget. Suss out your local area to see where the best charity shops might be. Vintage shops can also yield success, but again, quality varies enormously. Try to find quality, unusual pieces – the beauty of vintage is that you know nobody else will have it.

If you’re creatively minded why not try a bit of DIY? The simplest modification can turn that dull t-shirt into a trendy slashed top in no time at all. It’s the cheapest way to bag a new look and it’s surprising how far fabric scissors, some glue and some embellishing materials will get you. If you know how to sew, even better – you’ll be making your own clothes in no time at all!