Love fashion but don’t love their price tags? Claire Muffett-Reece on spending less when updating your wardrobe
“Get your mates together and swap unwanted clothes for pieces they no longer want instead”
“Pre-loved clothes are everywhere, from a classic boot sale – if you can drag yourself out of bed that early – to outlet stores and street markets”
“Charity shops are another great place to find clothes – not only can you buy some amazing finds at a seriously low cost but you’re also helping them raise money for a great cause”
“You should also liven up items with a few affordable accessories, rather than splashing out on a new outfit. You’ll be surprised at how jewellery, a new belt or scarf can suddenly revive what you used to deem as tired”
Facts/stats
The fashion and textile industry contributes £62 billion to the UK economy
(Waste Managed)
Students spend on average £37 a week on clothes
(UCAS)
76% of students shop pre-loved to save money
(UNiDAYS)
Yo’re at uni and want to look good. But regardless of whether you plan on standing out from the crowd with a unique style, or are happy to stick to fashion you feel comfortable wearing, what’s the issue with either category you fall into? When it’s time to update your wardrobe. Money’s an issue when it comes to being a student, and the last thing you want is to overspend on clothes. Never fear; we’re here to help you dress for less with these easy to follow tips.
STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN
First on the agenda when dressing for less is to consider whether you need to shop at all! It’s tempting to refresh your wardrobe every season, but is it so necessary that it eats into what you’ve got to spend on everything else? Start by taking a look at what you’ve got and make a list of what you own. Separate into ‘yes’, ‘unsure’ and ‘no’ piles, then amend your list and see what you really do need. Can you work through the ‘unsure’ pile because you’ve never tried it on with anything you want to hold onto that might work perfectly together? Look at that ‘no’ pile again, asking yourself if it’s an item that’ll come back in fashion. Sure, skinny jeans might not be as popular as loose-fit, but they’ll soon see a resurgence, with you then being annoyed that they’re no longer part of your wardrobe and you now have to buy a new pair.
SOCIAL SKILLS
Just because something seems to be on-trend doesn’t mean it’s right for you, so never impulse buy and think if you really need the outfit in question. Social media is the perfect example of you being swayed into a purchase you’d never thought of before. How? Algorithms for a start, which take into account your browsing history or what you’ve searched for, then displaying adverts that best match what you’ve looked at. Then there are social media influencers, which get paid to promote to their followers, regardless of whether it’s something they’d usually wear day-to-day. Remember to look at their post or reel and see if they mention it’s an advert, which means they receive income from just popping it on their feed. And don’t be swayed into buying something by adverts from companies just because the price seems too good to be true. You’ll often find quality here’s an issue, then all you’ve done is spend more on fashion you only end up disappointed with.
SWAP SHOP
Still thinking of ways to save? Get your mates together and swap unwanted clothes for pieces they no longer want instead. Not only does it make for a great evening in, but you won’t pay for outfits you’d pay more for in-store. What might be your trash will often be their treasure, so putting aside an hour or two might benefit you all in the process. It’s also worth seeing if you can do the same through your student union, or download an app specifically for clothes being sold for a steal. Unsure if an outfit will look good on you before you buy it and might be unable to return it? Whether you’re for or against it, here AI can help, with you uploading your photo before it then ‘puts’ the outfit on you for an idea of whether you think it’ll look good.
BACK TO BASICS
Yet another way to spend less is to keep things simple by going back to basics. Start by thinking about an item of clothing you want to buy and then make sure it can be worn with more than one other piece of clothing. Working for all seasons is a good idea, too, as well as it not being fast fashion so you can happily wear it in the future. Timeless is key, with staple pieces including a pair of jeans, classic jacket as well as a winter coat you know will look just as good next year. Items that can be layered are also ones to consider, as well as trainers, sandals or flip flops you know won’t go out of style. You should also liven up items with a few affordable accessories, rather than splashing out on a new outfit. You’ll be surprised at how jewellery, a new belt or scarf can suddenly revive what you used to deem as tired.
GOOD AS NEW
Who says you have to buy brand new fashion when there are other bargains to be had? Pre-loved clothes are everywhere, from a classic boot sale – if you can drag yourself out of bed that early – to outlet stores and street markets. Speaking of markets, never be afraid to haggle, and go along just before they pack up as you’ll find they’re more than happy to lower their price down. Charity shops are another great place to find clothes – not only can you buy some amazing finds at a seriously low cost but you’re also helping them raise money for a great cause. Just make sure you allocate enough time for a proper look, as more often than not their racks will be jam-packed with fashion you need to spend a while sorting through.
THE TIME IS RIGHT
Yup, we’re talking hitting the sales for even more ways to dress for less! Black Friday, Boxing Day and end of season sales are the more obvious choices, but a quick trawl through social media of any brands you follow will no doubt show you when they have special offers on. Signing up for newsletters or emails is also one to consider, as you don’t want to miss out on a bargain over those that do subscribe. Student discounts are also available, providing you prove you’re at uni, or take up part-time work in a clothes shop when a vacancy becomes available as you’ll receive a staff discount on all items they have in stock.
MAKE IT PERSONAL
Then there’s the fact you can make pieces you don’t think you’d wear again by giving them a refresh. How to go about it? Alter clothes into something else you’re happy to wear out and about, or update with embroidery, buttons, patches or transfers. You can also make your own and cut costs, with looking online sites that take you through an easy, step-by-step guide. And, if you’re about to buy something new just because there’s a small rip or tear then this can also be avoided. All you have to learn is some basic sewing skills for it to quickly turn back into something you’re happy to wear once more.
5 Fashion apps
Dopplle (Android, iOS, free)
A clothes swapping app for students by students all over the UK, this lets you swap pre-loved clothes for new and second-hand pieces.
Depop (Android, iOS, free)
Explore your style, buy and sell items, follow people whose fashion you admire and stay up to date with trends.
Vinted (Android, iOS, free)
Sell unwanted items to other members by snapping photos, describing it, and setting your price. Plus, you keep 100% of what you earn.
Wowcher (Android, iOS, free)
This money saving app for coupons, discount codes and vouchers enables you to save up to 80% with exclusive offers.
Fits (Android, iOS, free)
This wardrobe planner digitises your closet, creates outfits by swiping through clothes after you’ve simply snapped then uploaded your picture.
