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Whether you’re looking to dress to impress at your new job or simply feel like you’re long overdue for a style makeover, there are many reasons why you may be looking to upgrade your wardrobe.
However, there are many barriers that can stand in your way when upgrading your style. For example, you may not simply have the money to spare on new clothes and accessories, especially during the cost of living crisis. Beyond this, many people find it hard to style themselves well, with “61% of adults admitting to struggling to find something to wear even though their closet is full of clothing.”
Photo by Nimble Made on Unsplash
With that in mind, here are seven tips for upgrading your wardrobe.
Build a capsule wardrobe.
One of the easiest ways to upgrade your wardrobe (on a budget) is to
create a capsule wardrobe. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, a capsule wardrobe is built up from several ‘staple’ items that can be mixed and matched accordingly to create a range of outfits. For example, a typical capsule wardrobe could be built from:
- Two/three blouses
- Two/three T-shirts
- A skirt
- Two pairs of pants
- A pair of shorts
- A jacket/blazer
While a bit of color will not go amis, it’s best to adopt a neutral palette when building a capsule wardrobe. This way, you can ensure each item blends nicely with the others.
Make your own accessories.
Accessories can make or break an outfit, turning it from something simple into something eye-catching. However, buying new accessories for each outfit can quickly get expensive unless you decide to get creative. For example, you could save a lot of money and uncover a new hobby by starting to make your own accessories. For example, you could try out this diy macrame bracelet tutorial.
Another benefit associated with making your own jewellery is the fact that it’s then entirely unique!
Go thrifting.
Thrifting is another excellent way to upgrade your wardrobe without breaking the bank, as with a keen eye and determination, you can find high-quality items for a fraction of their original price. It’s also a great way to ensure that your shopping habits are sustainable, as you are giving items a new home instead of contributing to the fast fashion crisis.
Of course, one of the struggles of thrifting is that it’s a little harder to find clothes that fit (as they’re often available in a single size). However, you could remedy this by finding a tailor who can adjust clothes on your behalf.
Wear more of your favorite color.
If you feel overwhelmed by choices each time you enter a clothing store (or when shopping online), you could make this a little easier by looking for clothes in your favorite color. This is because studies have shown that when wearing a “piece of clothing in your favorite color, you’re likely to feel more comfortable and at ease, and it may even bring a smile to your face too.” As such, this is a great way to ensure you feel confident in every outfit you wear!
Look for inspiration everywhere.
Taking inspiration from others, whether they be your friends, family or fashion influencers, can also make it a little easier to upgrade your wardrobe. This is because it makes it easier to know what kind of styles you enjoy and can even make it easier for you to determine which shops you should visit when looking for new clothes.
Sell your old clothes.
There are many benefits associated with selling your old clothes when upgrading your wardrobe. Firstly, it can clear up space in your closet for your new purchases. Secondly, it means you have more money to play around with as you can use the money you’ve earned to buy something new.
Fortunately, there are many different places you can sell your second-hand clothes, such as:
- Facebook Marketplace
- Vinted
- Depop
Dress for yourself, not others.
If you’re looking to boost your confidence through your new wardrobe, it’s important that you ensure you’re dressing for yourself and not others. That is, you should wear outfits because you love them, not because they’re on trend. While this can be a hard habit to break, especially if you love to blend in, the more you begin to express yourself through your clothing, the more confident you feel. It’ll also make it easier to pull together outfits in the morning, as you’ll be grabbing whatever makes you feel or look good instead of worrying about what others will think when you’re wearing it.