I love this time of the year. Like Love. From September thru December, I can’t resist the crisp cool air, the pumpkin spice everything, the falling leaves, and the coziness of the season. What I get most excited about during this time are the Fall clothing options. From the neutral browns and oranges to the layering of sweaters, shackets, and shirts, there is no end to styling yourself in the fall. If you are like me, you want to update your fall wardrobe for less, buying only what’s necessary and loving on pieces you’ve faithfully worn season after season. With that in mind, I wanted to give you four tips to update your fall wardrobe for less and keep sustainability in mind.
Try On All of Your Season Clothing
Yes, open up those bins (assuming you packed them away for the year) and rediscover all of your favorite Fall Clothing. Make sure you do this before you buy anything new for the season. We often forget what we have and fall in love all over again with favorites we haven’t worn. Try all your pieces to see if they fit and make you feel good.
Create a keep, maybe, and donate pile. Once you’ve gone through your seasonal clothing, you now know what things you want to add. Take note of the textures you like, what colors fit you well and what will work with clothing you already own. I have a fall color palate that guides me. I know if I buy one of the five colors I lean toward in the fall, they will all match.
Once you have a list items you want to add to your wardrobe, you can begin your search.
Shop Second Hand
Honestly, it took me a while to like second-hand shopping due to the sheer impatience of finding exactly what I was looking for. Trust me. I know how easy it is to jump onto Amazon, find what you want, and have it shipped to you by this afternoon. However, the goal is to update your look on a budget; usually, gently worn items are a fraction of the price.
If you search diligently, second-hand shops and online second-hand shops such as Thred-UP, Mercari, or Poshmark, you can find gems just waiting to be owned. This is the most sustainable way to update your wardrobe for less.
Clothing Swap
Do you have family or friends ready to update their things for the Fall too? Maybe set up a clothing swap. This is something you can do with women who have children also. Maybe you set a Saturday where everyone brings gently used clothing and even toys you can swap. You and your children can add new pieces to your wardrobe while decluttering unused clothing in your home.
When the event is over, whatever is not wanted or needed can be dropped off at your local thrift store or non-profit in need.
Add Simple Accessories
Accessories can go a long way in making you feel put together. A cute hat or scarf, your favorite necklace or earrings, a quality boot, and a bag can instantly change your outfit’s look. Invest in quality, timeless pieces that you can wear to transform your look easily.
Build a Capsule Wardrobe
Have you ever heard of a capsule wardrobe? Well, it’s time you’ve learned! “A capsule wardrobe is a limited selection of interchangeable clothing pieces that all complement each other.” (sustainably-chic.com)
When I initially heard of a capsule wardrobe, I thought I couldn’t possibly make this work, but I found dressing in my favorite clothing in my favorite colors incredibly easy. It’s one less decision I have to make during my busy week about what I will wear.
More importantly, because I don’t stuff my closet with things I don’t love, I have saved so much money and clothing regret from aspirational purchases. This had been key in updating my wardrobe for less.
Buy Quality
You may wonder, “How can I dress for less if I am spending money on expensive pieces of clothing.” I used to think this way also. I was always looking for the cheapest clothing. Later I realized all of my cheap things were falling apart after a couple of washes. I had to replace these items more frequently, causing me to spend more money and send more clothing to the landfill.
I finally realized I needed higher quality pieces, even if they were at a higher price. When you buy a quality shirt or pair of jeans, they last forever, some of which come with lifetime guarantees. Usually, these items are made sustainably, which means they don’t directly harm the environment during the production or consumption of the item.
The win for your finances is that once you’ve bought the item, you may never have to replace it unless you outgrow it or change your style. In this case, quality products hold their value, and you can resell items and replace them as your style changes.
Finally
Using a combination of these tips, you can update your wardrobe on any budget. You only need a few killer pieces to create the look you crave. What tips do you have to update your wardrobe for less?
