Summer is officially just two weeks away, with hopefully more mini-heatwaves on the horizon, making it the perfect time to transform your wardrobe.
However, you don’t have to splash the cash to revamp your look, sometimes it just takes a bit of tweaking to give clothes a new lease of life.
As more people became more sustainably-conscious about their own contribution to climate change, recycling or passing clothes on to a charity shop are becoming the norm for most people in a bid to reduce the amount of waste heading to landfill.
To help you get chic for summer for less, money-saving app, Student Beans, has shared its top tips for transforming your wardrobe on a budget.
Shop within your wardrobe
You may have everything you need already in your wardrobe, so before you start spending, start there. If you split your wardrobe into seasons, why not consider how to wear your out-of-season clothes in a new way.
Try styling an autumnal jumper over a dress for the perfect beer garden outfit or pairing your winter knee high boots with a lighter jean for an all-day brunch.
If you’re looking for styling tips, apps Stylebook and Closet help you plan outfits from your wardrobe with ease.
Get savvy with sales
Pace yourself and don’t get caught out buying everything in sight. Celebrity stylist, Marian Kwei says it’s important to “have a strategy before you shop” and “determine your personal style and what your wardrobe needs” before sale shopping to ensure you don’t get caught out.
Apps such as Covvet and Lyst can help you identify the best sales around, so if you are hunting for a bargain you know where to look.
Invest in that LBD
If you’re shopping for new items, invest in timeless pieces you can wear with anything, this way you can build out on-trend looks from core items in your wardrobe. So yes, invest in that little black dress or cream blazer that you know you can dress up or down, and will go with everything.
Source the savings
Before you start shopping, search for any additional savings. Many online retailers have discount codes readily available, and these are often available throughout the year on websites such as Pretty Little Thing or ASOS.
These can make a big difference, especially if you’re purchasing a few pieces to reinvent your look.
Upcycling is in
Some of the biggest fashion brands from Balenciaga to Coach have been focusing on sustainability and upcycling this year, and the trend doesn’t have to stop with them. There are many simple upcycles you can do within your wardrobe to refresh or completely transform an item.
The nostalgic tie-dye looks which hit the runways with force during 2020 appear to be here to stay, so why not have a go at transforming some old plain t-shirts. Make sure to follow a guide to hone the technique, but with just a bottle of dye, some disposable gloves, and a rubber band you can create a vibrant look in minutes.
Accessories that transform
You don’t have to buy a whole new outfit for it to feel brand new, accessorising can elevate any look. Choose shoes and a bag which compliment the colours from your outfit, and why not opt for statement earrings or a pair of stylish sunglasses to really finish the look.
When buying accessories, pick neutral colours that you can mix and match across outfits to get the most use out of them and only splash out on timeless pieces.
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