Building a beautiful wardrobe for any occasion is often at odds with shrinking budgets.
You probably won’t be able to put together a designer closet by shopping at exclusively at dollar stores, though you might be able to find a few staples there. Shopping smartly on a budget involves a combination of thrifting, taking advantage of sales and shopping online.
Also see four $100 splurges that actually save you money over time.
Know What To Look For When Thrifting
“Thrifting” is a talent that requires patience. “My best tip for finding cheap but well-made clothing is to read the material label. It’s important to look for materials like cotton, silk, wool, cashmere and linen over polyester,” said Annie Paripally, fashion blogger at Spectacular Girl.
Jessie Frances of Cappuccinos & Consignment agreed. “When thrifting, focus on natural fibers. Vintage leather coats, wool blend jackets, pants, skirts, silk dresses, and blouses, and of course, vintage designer pieces,” Frances said.
To make sure your deal is actually a good find, Paripally suggested looking for a fabric tag with a product number. Looking up that number with the item’s brand can help you find the original retail price.
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Think Beyond Thrift
Not everyone has multiple thrift shops nearby. Get creative about finding vintage clothes, Frances recommended.
“Beyond thrift stores, estate sales, and street markets are a good place to shop,” she said. “At most farmers’ markets I’ve visited, there’s typically one random vintage or retro clothing vendor.”
Paripally suggested shopping end-of-season sales and sample sales from your favorite designer brands and using the Google Shopping “track price” feature to get price drop alerts.
Online Shopping: Measure Twice, Buy Once
Online shopping is another way to find designer deals for less.
“Check multiple sites,” Paripally advised. “It’s also important to look at every picture posted up close, by zooming in. You want to make sure any imperfections are caught from the photos and disclosed by the seller.”
Designer clothing sizes differ from fast fashion, so you want to be sure you’re purchasing the right size. Take your measurements and use the sizing chart on the website. “To avoid buying an item that can’t be returned or exchanged, ask for measurements if you’re not familiar with the designer,” Frances said.
Buy What Fits Your Lifestyle
You may have seen shopping lists of “staples” every person needs in their wardrobe, like a little black dress. But “staples” vary based on lifestyle.
“Buy what fits your real life,” Frances said. “The reality is, not all women live the same life. If you are an attorney, suits and little black dresses are needed. If you are a work-from-home toddler-mom, investing in quality athleisure wear basics will serve you better than crisp white button-downs.”
Find Some Wardrobe Staples at the Dollar Store
You can often find socks, plain T-shirts for layering and even low-cost sweatsuits at dollar stores.
These items won’t last as long as designer pieces, but they can help fill gaps in your wardrobe while leaving money to splurge on designer brands when the style and enduring quality is more important.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How To Create a Designer Closet on a Dollar Store Budget
