Saving with Second Hand Wardrobe Additions

Saving with second hand wardrobe additions is not only a great way to reduce waste and protect the environment. It is also a great way to stay on your fashion budget. After reading these easy-to-follow tips you will know how to identify what works so you can create a stunning wardrobe and save.

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How to Buy High-End Fashion on a Budget

Many of us love thrifting and consigning. It’s the hunter in us, the thrill of a great find, saving on expensive clothes, or just the need to stay on a fashion budget, while having to dress for success, who knows. Second hand stores often have perfect, barely worn clothes that we could not afford first hand. And yes, we feel good about shopping there because recycling and reducing waste is also good for the environment. We all have different reasons.

How to Look Well-Dressed on a Budget

When you have no deadline, thrifting and/or consigning are great options to save on building an awesome functioning wardrobe. Browse for ageless, high quality clothing, bags, accessories and shoes in neutral colors or flattering colors of you palette. Pairing evergreen timeless pieces with a trendy items will create a modern outfit.

Best Places Where to Browse Thrift and Consignment Stores

When you have no deadline thrifting and consigning are great options to save on an awesome functioning wardrobe. Browse thrift shops in upscale neighborhoods. These areas typically have higher end items than those in other areas of town.

Don’t Fall for a High-End Brand

It is important to try everything on to see how an item looks on you. Just because you love a Chanel jacket doesn’t mean that it is flattering for you body shape. Recall you don’t want a hem line at the widest part of your body. You can determine your body type with this free quiz.

Know Your Brands

Make a list of brands and designers that produce pieces in your personal style and look for them. If you are lucky to find a Betsy Johnson, but your style is dramatic or classic, this Bohemian Style find will just take up real estate in your closet and you will never wear these beautiful clothes.

Recall wearing designer does not equal to effortlessly stylish.

A Key to Effortless Style Is Fit

Never buy something that doesn’t fit. Therefore, try everything on. Be aware that the pieces can be from brands that you never had your hands on before (but are on your wish list), or even from other countries, each of which might have their own system of sizing. Do I have to mention that the previous owner may have had the piece altered?

And yes, even high-end fashion can shrink when the owner failed to follow the care instructions.

Size Charts Changed over the Decades

When you are interested in fashion history, you may already know that even sizing systems in the United States have shifted over time! Also handmade items don’t have size tags. And you never know, whether the piece of your choice had been tailored to fit a tinier women than the size tag pretends. Thus, avoid looking at the size tag as the plague.

Use a Band Measure to Save Time Going into the Fitting Room

In thrift stores, the merchandise often is ordered by price rather than size. Therefore, it is easier to find your size in consignment stores because their staff sorts clothes by broad sizes – typically S, M, L, and XL. Always try the clothes on to be safe, not sorry. Recall size is just a number.

To save time and avoid frustrations caused by too large or too small items, come prepared. A measure band is a great aid. Lay the item flat and take the measures for shoulder width, breast, waist, upper and lower hip as well as length.

Multiply the measures with 2 and you have the circumference.

Compare these numbers with your body measures plus 1-2 inch for ease. If the values of the clothing agree with those of your body try the piece on. Otherwise, there is no point to take it to the fitting room, even when you had dressed for clothes shopping.

Be Careful with Hand-Made Clothing

Often you may find hand-made clothes. Because they have no size tag, the measure tape is great to check whether the garment could fit you. As hand-made items are custom-made, check the fit from all angles. Ask a staff member to take photos from your sides and back. Doing so enables you to see how the clothing looks. Bending to take a selfie of your back twists the item.

Know the Value of Your Fav Designers and Brands

In my tips on five star shopping on eBay, I point out to watch the bidding market prior to start buying or bidding. Doing so you can find out whether your wish wardrobe addition is worth its price. Of course, in a second hand store, this method fails. Therefore, you should know what your fav designers and brands cost first hand. With this price tag in mind add the upper most price you are willing to pay for a pre-owned jacket, dress, pair of pants, etc. that looks like new. Stick to it with respect to the upper limit. Plus always judge the wear and assess whether the wear and tag are in sync. Even $20 for a Gucci scarf, for instance, are too expensive when the scarf has holes or is ribbed.

Examples of Stylish Looks under $150

Below are example outfits for inspiration. The clothes I wear in each of these looks are below $150 per outfit. See this complete guide on how to look like a 1000 bucks for a couple of bucks by applying the secrets to create modern outfit with second hand clothes.

Final Remarks on Saving with Second Hand Wardrobe Additions

Finally, to really save and stay on your budget
When thrifting or consigning buy only name brand items that you have on your wish-list. #saving Click To Tweet

Get a list of brands to look for as a cheat sheet to put into your purse or store on your phone to have it handy next time you are thrifting.  You also may like to read this general guide on how you can save when shopping.

Photos of me: G. Kramm

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