You brilliant shopper, you!
Everyone wants to look like a million bucks. But not everyone is able to drop a cool mill for the latest trends—so it’s a good idea to have a thriftier game plan. Buying lower-cost clothing at places like Forever 21, Target, and H&M can save you a considerable amount of change in the long run, and if you keep a few tips in mind, your finished look will appear just as expensive as all those fashion blogger outfits you’ve been pinning.
Go for Sturdier Bags
Buying a thrifty bag in a similar style to a designer handbag can save you hundreds of dollars, but be choosy about which one you settle on. More structured bags and clutches with crisp, clean lines tend to look more expensive than their slouchier counterparts (this bag is a great example). Plus, the stiffer inner boning of those bags will hold up better over time.
Keep It Classy with Black and White
I would say that about 90 percent of my lower-priced items are black, white, gray, or a mixture of those colors. There’s just something about a black and white scheme that makes any piece look a little more upscale than if it were a splashy color (love this monochromatic top). A black and white scheme is sometimes (wrongly) accused of being dull, but in reality, it’s timeless and always a chic choice.
Be Choosy About Faux Leather
This is probably one of the biggest things to pay attention to when making thrifty buys. Whether you’re shopping for a bag, jacket, or shoes, there are some faux leather options that can look really expensive and others that…well…not so much. It certainly helps that high-end brands are using vegan leather a lot more now so faux leather doesn’t necessarily have to look totally real—but you don’t want it to look like rubber, either. In general, faux suede is the hardest to replicate (and usually looks the cheapest), while faux versions of sturdier and patent leathers tend to look the most expensive (this jacket is a great staple to have).
Dark Wash Jeans Look Best
The easiest way to spot a cheap pair of jeans is in their wash, fading, and whiskering details. There’s something about how the look is created on a thrifty pair of jeans versus a designer pair that is a dead giveaway of how much you paid. Stick to jeans that are a dark uniform wash or a solid pair of black or colored jeans instead. In my closet, I have more expensive black jeans next to my H&M pairs, and I honestly can’t tell which ones are which until I look at the tags.
Avoid Fake Bling
I love buying jewelry on the cheap, but I am always wary of pieces that have fake diamonds or gems. The faux sparkle cheapens a piece that can otherwise look expensive, and it will give your low price point secret away. Instead, go for solid gold- or silver-colored pieces and give them a coat of clear sealer or nail polish to keep them from tarnishing too quickly. I buy low cost stacking rings like these and wear them daily until the color starts to fade—they are so inexpensive that you can totally afford a new set once they lose their gold shine.
The Deal Is in the Details
Pay attention to the little things when you are buying low-cost clothing. Sometimes 95 percent of an item looks great, but there are a few mini features that confess the bargain price you paid. Uneven stitching, cheap plastic buttons, or crooked zippers can blow your cost-conscious cover. Just check over the item to ensure that there aren’t any glaring issues of quality that will distract from how fabulous your overall look is.
Of course, if you are a thrifty clothes-buying wizard, you can spend all the extra money you saved on whatever you want! Go on an outing or a trip where you can properly display your new outfits, start putting more money toward your 401(k), or (mostly likely in my case) buy more clothes with it! Hey, who doesn’t want twice the wardrobe for half the price?
On Laura: Forever 21 top, jacket, shoes, jewelry, and sunglasses; H&M jeans and Bag
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Laura Gummerman is the crazy cat lady who pens The Band Wife Blog and is a staff writer for A Beautiful Mess. She resides in Springfield, Missouri, with her musician husband, Todd, and plays mamma to two kitties in between Netflix binges. She is currently waiting for her next pizza fix (which she hopes will be soon).
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