Want to look like a million bucks but don’t have the budget? There are certain things you can do to ensure you look stylish.
1. Good grooming
A stylish look always starts with good grooming: radiant, healthy skin, neatly trimmed and polished nails, clean, shiny hair, and a healthy haircut. With this, even a $5 T-shirt will look great.
Good grooming doesn’t have to mean expensive facials and manicures. Nor does it have to mean contoured makeup, hair extensions and false eyelashes. It just has to be you, fresh, simple and with a healthy glow. Eat well, drink water, take a bath, and take your makeup off every night – simple things like this will make all the difference.
2. Choose neutral colours
Neutral colours serve as a fantastic base: think black, grey, navy, tan, and white. They can also be a huge time saver, eliminating the difficulty of deciding what to wear each morning. When you mix neutral-coloured blazers, trousers, and skirts with standout tops and accessories, no one will notice that you wear them on repeat.
Whether you choose bold pieces such as a top, a printed scarf, or oversized jewellery, the fundamentals will pair perfectly with your overall look. Applying this approach will help streamline your mornings and give you a wardrobe that hangs well together. You’ll be able to have fun expressing your style while still managing to look fabulous for any occasion.
3. Shop versatile on a budget
Streamline your wardrobe by focusing on pieces that provide a mix of activities. Choose a blouse that can be worn to Sunday brunch with friends and then transitioned to suit your Monday morning meeting. Look for clothes that accommodate a different range of accessories and you’ve got yourself a versatile wardrobe.
Fabrics, such as jersey or cotton blends, can work in various environments. You may also wish for an outfit that easily allows belts or scarves to introduce variety and new looks without making a new costume.
Versatile pieces save money and declutter your closet. It means you will always have the right thing to wear at the end of the day, gradually increasing your style and confidence.
4. Pay attention to shape
Looks that flatter your figure and make you feel comfortable and confident will always scream sophistication. A proper fit is by far the most important factor in making your clothes look more expensive.
If a sleeve is too wide, a shoulder too narrow, a pant leg too long or a dress too loose, it’s going to look cheap. In fact, even if a piece is expensive, it will look cheap in the wrong size or shape.
5. Find a good tailor
To help ensure you’ve always got the right size and shape, consider visiting a tailor. Personal tailoring is like waving a magic wand over your clothes, even the ones you thought were at the end of their days. Alterations like taking hems up or down are generally pretty straightforward and inexpensive.
Investment in tailoring will ensure you look good and extend the life of your clothes, allowing you to enjoy your favourite items for longer periods. Well-tailored clothes may also provide a high level of confidence, making you feel comfortable and stylish for all types of occasions.
6. Accept hand-me-downs
Wearing hand-me-down clothes and clothing from op shops is a fantastic way to save on your clothing budget. It also helps the environment – did you know in Australia alone, 500 000 tonnes of textiles end up in landfill every year?
Some people don’t like the idea of wearing old clothes, but often it creates a creative and fashion-forward statement because you can make old styles new again. If you’re not a dab hand at alterations, LookSmart Alterations can work their magic and take care of the clothes for you.
7. Take advantage of accessorising
The single easiest and one of the most affordable ways to spruce up a neutral outfit is to match it with accessories. It could be a scarf, hat, glasses, belt or jewellery; accessories can make all the difference. Experiment and see what you can come up with. Keep it minimal, because more often one well-chosen piece is more impactful than several pieces.
For instance, a bold necklace or a bright handbag can transform your dull outfit into stunning, making you feel more comfortable. Feel confident enough not to fear to mix and match different textures and colours for that visual interest.
Accessories can make you look completely different and let your personality shine. Still, you can definitely spice up a neutral outfit, so casual to semi-formal outfits will do for a party or formal event.
8. Know your measurements
If you’re buying off-the-rack and then planning to visit the tailor, know your measurements before you shop. Buying anything that’s more than one size too small or large can mean costly alterations and the result is often not ideal. When possible, stick to buying clothes that are your size or one size larger.
This allows you to alter them with minimal fuss, ensuring the final fit will be very clean and fitted. During this process, learning your measurements leads you through many brands and their size charts, which are often dramatically different. Knowing your dimensions makes shopping less stressful and more fun, as you can find pieces that not only look good but also feel comfortable and drape well.
9. Master Layering Techniques
Layering is the basic dressing technique that gives your wardrobe depth and versatility. Once mastered, you can mix various textures and fabrics with colours to create fashionably unique looks that work through all seasons.
Begin with lightweight, breathable underlayers like cotton or silk at the base, and work your way up to thicker layers such as jackets and coats. Include proportions with fitted layers that suit under oversized outerwear to add dimensions.
Add scarves or belts to wrap it up and finalise it or make it balanced. Proper layering keeps you comfortable and stylish as the weather changes.
10. Choose Statement Pieces to Elevate Basics
Statement pieces are perfect for transforming an outfit from plain to fabulous. Whether it’s a bold necklace, a blazer with a striking pattern, or standout shoes, statement pieces call attention and enhance basics with personality.
The secret to balance is letting the statement piece shine with neutral, unstated basics. For example, a statement jacket can make an otherwise plain white T and jeans come together.
For example, bold jewellery pieces such as dainty earrings can be added to a minimalist’s outfit. A couple of statement pieces in the wardrobe can bring something more refined and sophisticated into a casual look.
11. Understand the Power of Fit
Well-fitted clothes flatter the shape of your body, bring out your best features, and help create a streamlined, tailored look. Quality alterations to get something that fits just so can transform off-the-rack garments into glamorous, pricey-looking wear.
For example, a suit or dress that fits well can make you smart and professional. Conversely, ill-fitting clothes can appear unkempt.
Look at the details of sleeve length, waistline placement, and overall proportion, and don’t be afraid to try different sizes to find what works best for you.
12. Make fashionable and like-minded friends
If you’re lucky enough to have a friend who shares the same size as you and the same sense of style, use it to your advantage. Clothes swapping is a great way to have a big wardrobe that won’t break the bank. For any friends who differ in size and shape, consider swapping accessories.
13. Fake it on a budget till you make it
You might not have a million dollars in your bank account, but others don’t need to know that. Pretend you’ve just stepped off a yacht and keep things neutral in all white/beige. Look for quality knockoffs of your favourite designs. Remember that style isn’t just about how much you spend. You can still look great in something from a budget store if you choose wisely and wear it with confidence!
14. Care for your clothes
Having style means respecting your clothing and accessories to ensure they are well-kept. Clothes look their best when they are pressed and clean. Wash your clothes according to instructions, and air dry them when possible to lengthen their life.
15. See the big picture
Before you buy anything new for your wardrobe, take a look at the big picture. Do you have a tonne of blue items but nothing in red? Do you have a tonne of t-shirts but only one or two blouses? Review everything often so that you only buy what’s missing.
Make heads turn even on a budget
The bottom line is that looking stylish on a small budget is possible. You just have to put some thought into your outfits and know your style.
To learn more, read our articles on clothing budgets for the whole family, or making the most of hand-me-downs.
Small Budget? Extend the life of your existing garments
Keep up with fashion trends on a budget by repairing and restyling your old clothes.
All LookSmart stores provide expert tailoring and repairs. Most stores provide dry cleaning so you can dry clean your clothes so they are ready to wear right after the alterations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How can I use layering to refresh my look without buying new clothes?
Layering helps freshen your look without buying one additional thing. For example, you could wear a T-shirt beneath a button-down shirt or a sweater over a dress.
For example, wear a coat over your favourite tee with a scarf or a cardigan. Mix and match what you have to create new outfits. There is no need to spend money when you can be fashionable by simply redoing the way you wear clothes.
What are some go-to statement pieces that instantly enhance an outfit?
Statement pieces are interesting and can put the spotlight on any outfit. Good examples include a bold necklace, colourful scarf, or fashionable belt.
Besides that, one or two statement pieces combined with the patterned jacket can be very helpful. Using only those can make a cool outfit, from jeans to a T-shirt.
How important is tailoring when styling on a budget?
Tailoring is very important, even when on a budget. Clothes that fit you can make you look neat and put together even though the clothing itself wasn’t expensive.
A simple tweak in clothes can make all the difference—for instance, hemming pants or adjusting a shirt’s fit. Tailoring can be less expensive than purchasing a new outfit, so it is a great way to enhance your wardrobe without spending much.
Can mixing textures make affordable outfits look more expensive?
Yes, mixing textures can make an affordable outfit look more expensive. Adding a little cotton, wool, silk, or denim to different fabrics adds more depth.
Good examples of making your outfit unique are mixing a soft sweater with a leather jacket or a silk scarf with a casual top. Mixing the textures gives an impression that you think about your fashion, which can turn budget clothes into high fashion.
