We have all, at some point or another, stood before our closet after painstakingly foraging through stacks of clothing, only to exclaim, “I have nothing to wear!” Whether you’re a fashionista with a bulging wardrobe, or a minimalist clothes collector, you may be tempted to head straight for the shops in the hopes that a new heap of clothes will remedy the situation. But new combinations lie right in your closet! Below, heed our tips to learn how to update your wardrobe without breaking the bank.
A snip here, there, everywhere!
Could it be that your closet houses an impulse buy of yore which, given that it was purchased it in the heat of the moment, has done nothing but accumulate dust at the back of your wardrobe? You have never worn it because you see an inherent problem with it: either it isn’t exactly the cut that you would normally go for, or you feel it is too dressy for the places you normally frequent. Yet, you would wear it if only you had designed it yourself with your vision in mind. Luckily, a trip to your neighborhood seamstress can turn your dream into reality!
In most cases, having the item altered is a far more affordable option than purchasing new clothes. Be sure to explain exactly how you would like your piece of clothing to be altered. Try the item on to ensure the seamstress understands where to make said alterations. Lo and behold, after a few days (and a couple of snips here and there), you’ll have yourself a brand new fashion item to wear!
New shoe, new you
The same goes for footwear. While the thought of acquiring a new pair of stylish heels is one appealing scenario, your wallet may not be up for the financial blow. And, yes, you probably wish you could chuck those expensive towering heels you purchased on a whim one faithful day, which you don’t dare wear on a regular basis for fear of missing a step (and bruising your ego). But wouldn’t it be nice if you could get more wear out of them? Fortunately, that too, is possible. In addition to replacing worn out soles and repairing broken heels, a cobbler can also reduce the height of a heel. So long as the heel remains of even height to the sole, you can easily have a cobbler remove 1-1 ½” off your heel, and acquire a brand new pair of shoes without shelling out more than $50!
All year round
We all have a favourite season and, most often than not, our wardrobe will reflect just that. Hence, when our least favourite time of the year rolls around, we’re consequently lacking season-appropriate clothing and feel at a loss for what to wear. But there’s no need to fret! Contrary to popular belief, it’s not a fashion faux-pas to wear clothes from one season during another. Your go-to summer dress, paired with a knitted cardigan, tights, and knee-high boots, makes for the perfect winter ensemble. With that single prescription in mind, the sky is the limit, and your hard-earned cash stays right in your wallet!
Play dress-up
Last but not least, having nothing to wear spells the best time to exercise a little bit of creativity… and to dare to experiment with clothes. After all, fashion should be fun! While some pieces of clothing may not appear multi-functional at first glance, a little game of dress-up may reveal just the opposite. You may come to find that many of your dresses can double as skirts with a tuck here and there, while a dress deemed too short can be worn as a top under a billowy skirt. As you exploit the functionality of your clothes, you’ll soon realize that a brand new wardrobe can be unearthed without ever stepping into a store!
