When I think of going out for a night on the town with my friends I can easily imagine myself spending tons of money on fruity drinks and delectable hors d’oeuvres. It’s fairly easy to budget what I can spend per outing on these things. Over the years, however, I’ve found that one thing I have more trouble budgeting for is the clothing that I wear when I go out in the first place.
Men and women alike spend thousands of dollars a year on clothing–and clothing to wear for a night on the town can be some of the most costly of our expenses. Finding a way to save money on clothes is a great step toward budgeting your outings with friends. It’s easy too!
Clothing Swaps
Before going out, get ready; at a friend’s house. If you normally go out as a group, go to a different person’s house every time. Make an agreement with your friends about swapping clothing. Trade dresses, jewelry, makeup, and shoes.
One of the best things about going out is a feeling good about yourself–and the clothes that you were contribute to this feeling, which is why we so often put so much money and effort into new clothes. Trading clothes with friends can also lead to this same feel-good outlook on the night. By swapping clothes with friends for the night instead of heading to the mall, everyone saves money and everyone wins.
Buy Versatile Pieces
Versatile clothing is important for any frugal wardrobe. When you do buy clothes, invest in items that you can mix and match. One of my friends has a particular top that brags she can wear in dozens of ways, from hiking trails to the dance floor. A top like that can save literally hundreds of dollars.
Versatility can be a bit more of a challenge for those of us who don’t live in sunny Southern California or permanently chilly northern climes–when the weather is constantly changing, you may feel that you need a larger wardrobe just to keep up. While this is true to some degree, it just means that planning ahead for versatility is that much more important! Picking dresses that go well with or without tights, for instance, is one way to make sure you can beat the heat, brave the cold, and still come in under budget.
Know When to Spend and When to Thrift
Do you have a default style that you wear regularly? Perhaps you just love your favorite pair of jeans, or your best jacket. I know I have clothes that I would probably wear every day if I didn’t earn looks. Knowing which types of clothing are ones you’ll wear week in and week out can be very helpful for saving money: for items like this, it can be important to splurge and get a high-quality long-lasting version instead of a half-rate item. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with hitting end-of-season clearance racks for next year’s jacket or swimsuit–saving money is better than not! But knowing when to buy quality instead of quantity can actually be an important cash-saving plan.
On the other hand, there’s a lot of times when I need an item for a particular outfit I’m planning–often just accessories or one piece to finish a great look, but also including things like a Halloween costume. On these sorts of items, that I’ll wear infrequently if ever again, it’s doubly important to go for the lowest possible price that will still fit the purpose. You don’t need to go with something ugly just to save money, but getting creative, shopping second-hand, or even trying your hand at making something (that’s what Etsy is for after all) can be great alternatives to getting the overpriced must-haves from the store window.
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