5 Ways You’re Wasting Money on Clothes
One area that can be a big drain on any budget is wasting money on clothes.
Even if you don’t see yourself as a fashionista, it’s easy to drop $100 on a new outfit just because your old clothes are finally wearing out—even more so if that outfit includes a $90 pair of jeans or a $70 pair of 4-inch high heels!
But saving money on clothes is not just about the price point. Price is only part of the puzzle. There are other ways you may be wasting money while shopping for a new wardrobe that do far worse damage than buying an item at full price.
It’s time to stop filling your closet with clutter, buying clothes you’ll never wear, and replace what you do have with functional pieces that flatter. And yes, you can do this and still keep your bank account nice and full!
Clothing Mistake #1: Buying Trendy Pieces
Clothes don’t just serve a matter of function anymore, they’re a statement piece of individual style. While there are times I wish I didn’t have to worry about matching colors and patterns, I love looking at the new designs I see modeled in store windows today. There are so many cute tops and dresses!
The thing is, trends change SO quickly that by the time you align your wardrobe with what’s popular, new styles start coming in. And pretty soon, you discover that your hardly worn clothing is completely out of date.
Instead of buying clothes that follow current trends, focus on classic styles that go with many different pieces, and let your accessories do the talking. Scarves, jewelry, belts, and shoes will complement your classic combination, and shift your potentially plain-looking wardrobe to one that’s incredibly stylish.
Clothing Mistake #2: Buying What You Like, But Don’t Love
Have you ever stood in front of your closet and claimed, “I don’t have anything to wear!”, even though your closet is packed full with clothes? This wardrobe dilemma has nothing to do with the amount of clothing you have. It has everything to do with your mindset when you purchased each piece.
When you buy clothes you “like”, but don’t love, you’ll never wear that item of clothing long term. Many times I use the excuse that these clothes are less expensive, but then I can almost guarantee they will just hang in my closet, or sit neatly folded in my dresser, unworn, until I finally decide they belong in a garbage bag on their way to the thrift store.
While it’s a nice charitable contribution to the community, and a small tax write off, this ultimately kills our clothing budget! Wouldn’t you rather splurge on a piece that makes you feel confident and pretty, rather than buy ten more that you’ll never wear? Use your money wisely and invest in tops and bottoms you’ll pull out over and over again. Then buy them in two or three different colors for good measure!
Clothing Mistake #3: Not Buying Quality Items
During my teenage years, I distinctly remember fighting with my mom over the shirts I wanted from Aeropostale. They cost between $10-$15, and came in funky colors, but most of all, had the brand name slapped right on the front. But I admit it. They were cheap. And not just in price, in quality too.
Those shirts only lasted three to four washes, before the bottoms stretched out and seams started to rip. You think I’d learn, but even into adulthood I still bought cheap sweaters only to toss them in the trash a few weeks later because they didn’t last. At some point, it clicked. I was tired of wasting money on clothes that were right in price, but not in quality!
Obviously, I don’t recommend ditching the price point entirely, but don’t shy away from a $40 top when you know the material is thick and the stitching is sturdy. Besides, as long the clothing aligns with point #1 and #2, you’ll be wearing that item for years, rather than just a few weeks. And that’s worth the extra cash!
Clothing Mistake #4: Buying Outside Your Typical Color Scheme
Have you ever heard of the capsule wardrobe? Essentially, you cull your closet down to a minimum number of pieces that mix and match to create multiple outfits. While I haven’t made a total leap into this trend yet, I have started applying one of the ideas to my current wardrobe—staying inside my color scheme.
You probably already know what colors look good on you and what don’t, yet if you’re anything like me, you try to round out your wardrobe with different hues than you would normally pick. But this actually creates more frustration than choice, because you create an entirely new outfit based on the new color you just picked up. Whereas if you have a three to four color palette, your creativity and options expand without buying tons of new stuff.
Now when I go shopping, it’s super easy to decide what to buy and what to pass up. If it’s not in my neutral, navy blue, teal, or coral color scheme, than I don’t buy it. This allows me to get so many more outfits out of just one purchase!
Clothing Mistake #5: Ignoring Easy Savings
Obviously, wasting money on clothes often comes down to picking the right pieces, but there are other ways you can waste money too—like ignoring tools that give you super easy savings. One of these tools is Ebates.
If you aren’t familiar with it Ebates, it’s basically a cash back website that pays you to shop online. I’ve personally earned over $1,600 dollars in cash back since I signed up three years ago, and I’m buying things online like I normally would!
I admit, it’s sometimes really hard to shop for clothes that you don’t get to try on first, which is why I’ll go to places like JCPenny, Kohl’s, or Old Navy to try on clothes beforehand so I know what fits. Then I wait for a sale and actually buy them from the comfort of my home using Ebates. This often saves me up to 10% cash back, and I can almost always find a coupon code for free shipping!
With some simple planning and self-control, you can easily create a small, yet functional wardrobe without spending a ton of cash. But the savings doesn’t stop there.
This is just a small sampling of what you’ll find in my recently released book, 31 Days to Radically Reduce Your Expenses. If you want to go even deeper and drastically improve EVERY part of your budget, this book is your go-to resource!
I cover 29 other expense categories in addition to clothes, and share hundreds of savings ideas throughout the book, including action steps you can take right away. Psst…today the Kindle version is just $.99, but you can also get it paperback too.
Consider this your personal roadmap to find more money at the end of every month, make lasting change, and start saving for what truly matters. And if that’s clothes, it’s clothes. But if not, you now have the freedom to put that savings towards something else!
This has been one amazing guest post by Kalyn Brooke. She is the founder of the popular frugal lifestyle blog, CreativeSavingsBlog.com, where she empowers women to make their money work smarter, so they can create the life they really want. She strongly believes in pinching dollars over pennies, buying quality products over cheap substitutions, and living a life rich with purpose and intention….not deprivation. Originally from Upstate NY, Kalyn now resides in sunny Southwest Florida with her husband, Joseph, and one terribly spoiled rabbit, named Cody.
Vanessa says
This was a good read! I agree that quality over quantity is best. Quality classics is key!
karissa Ancell says
These are great tips. I don’t waste a lot on clothes, though I do waste other places in my life, which I’m working on .
Jessi says
I can say I’ve been guilty of most of these! Lol 🙂
Isabelle Benoit says
I try to buy American made as I focus on quality. I surely don’t want to wear clothes that have been made by children from a poor country. I am the owner of Bullet Blues and we manufacture our jeans right here in the USA using American made materials. (bulletbluesca.com). It’s a great way to keep Americans working. We follow a lot of other companies that manufactures also in USA. I like your blog and will share it. Yes, I agree quality over quantity and classic pieces. Thank you. Isabelle
Hannah Adkins says
I agree that sometimes trendy pieces can be a waste. when I shop I look for things that I can wear several different ways, in several different outfits.
nicole torres says
Greta article. I’m trying to get back into shape so I stay away from buying new clothes. I love vintage clothing boutiques instead.
CourtneyLynne says
Omg I ise to be such a sucker for buying trendy things!!!! Such a waste since they go out of style before you get full use of the item. No longer do I make that mistake!
Kalyn Brooke | Creative Savings says
I always have the problem of waiting until the trend is almost out of style before jumping in. For example, I finally bought my first pair of skinny jeans and now flared bottoms are coming back! *face palm*
di says
I typically just buy things I like. Regardless of the brand, or whether it’s a trend. My price point though isn’t high. I just can’t justify higher prices on regular clothing that I don’t wear often. THe only things I will pay top dollar for are running shoes… those things matter! The rest is usually just trends. Aside from wardrobe staples (jeans, black pants, LBD,) I go for trends and cheap. I still have stuff that’s lasted seasons/years because I don’t wear it often… but I’m in workout clothes 99% of the time!
Kalyn Brooke | Creative Savings says
Good running shoes are a must! I tried running in a pair of $14 Walmart sneakers. Didn’t work too well….
becca says
I typically avoid buying super trendy pieces… I can’t stand only getting to wear them a few times before the season changes, and then the next year it’s not something I’d want to wear!
Victoria @ Creative Home Keeper says
I’m guilty of purchasing low quality items because I feel like I’m getting a good deal only to be disappointed by how quickly it wears out.
Kalyn Brooke | Creative Savings says
It shocks me how some brands practically fall apart in the wash. So disappointing when you can only wear them 1-2 times!
Siniciliya says
Totally agree with you, except for the trendy pieces! I can’t go without them, although, yes, they are only good during one season.
Heather says
We do a lot of thrift store shopping, and that can be dangerous because the individual pieces are so inexpensive…but they still add up quickly 🙂
Justine Howell says
I seriously need help with my wardrobe!! Always thinking of kids before me.
KRYSTLE COOK says
Ebates is a great way to earn money if you shop online a lot. I always forget about it but I do have an account.
Kalyn Brooke | Creative Savings says
I LOVE Ebates! The key is to download the browser extension that they offer. I would constantly forget to use Ebates too, but with the extension, they remind me when I’m on a site where I can get cash back. It’s saved me so much money!
alexandria says
Even as a style blogger and admitted shopaholic, I really agree with this post. I did a post recently about only buying what you HAVE to have, trying trends but don’t buy them just because, and I never pay full price for anything! I’m going to share this.
jill conyers says
I’m picky about what I buy. I have to love it. It was my change to living minimal that started that.
Kelly says
This is totally not a problem for me – I haven’t bought any clothes in 3 years now. I stick with jeans/tees and a couple pairs of dress slacks with classic blouses. I don’t care about trends, i buy what I like and wear it until it can’t be mended anymore!
Kalyn Brooke | Creative Savings says
Good for you!! Minimalistic wardrobes are the best for budgets. 🙂
Cathy M says
Mistake #3 has always been the hardest for me–I’m a sucker for buying cheap quality clothes because the price is appealing, but then it doesn’t last me at all!
michele says
What great tips…. especially buying outside of my normal color scheme. I need to repeat that mantra when Im shopping. I also really liked the info on ebates…. Id heard of it, but didnt realize I could actually put it to work for me. Thanks!
tiaras and tantrums says
great tips. My girls told me the other day I had the most boring clothes. I buy black, grey or white – sometimes navy. that is it! But – everything matches!
Debra says
I love this so much! I always think I am going to venture out when I buy out of my color scheme but never end up wearing them!
Stephanie says
What great tips! I previously would buy poorer quality clothes with the idea that I wouldn’t wear them long (ie. while losing weight) and then I ended up needing the clothes longer and had to replace them multiple times. It was frustrating, so now I spend the extra few bucks to get items that are well made.
DANI CC says
Very inspiring post but we gave up on this battle a long time ago. We can’t stop shopping at the Dollhouse. Clothes and shoes are like our art pieces.
Charbel says
Great post and great tips! I always end up spending more than I want to when I go out shopping, so anything to help is more than welcome! Thanks for sharing
tp keane says
I waste money all the time on buying things I’d never wear. My colour is blues and blacks, but I keep going for yellows or brighter colours. great tips
Jennifer says
I have been buying a lot of new second hand clothes since losing over 50##. My budget wouldn’t permit me to buy all new clothes. I found fantastic and good quality clothes whilst treasure hunting. I tend to stick to non trendy pieces and buy stuff that I love and look awesome on me!
Diedre says
I needed this post. I’m a shopaholic. I do try to keep pieces for my 2 & 4 year old under $10 for individual pieces. I like to buy quality items on sale. I bought a maternity dress 3 years ago on OldNavy.com for $3.97 before I was even pregnant!
Laci says
Perfect tips !!! I do pretty good saving money when it comes to me my daughters clothes not so much I go a little over board.
Heather lawrence says
I have to remind myself to actually go and buy myself things from time to time.
Normally I only get a couple of pieces each season so I only get what I love.
I guess I have the exact opposite problem.
Kait says
So true about trendy pieces or low quality pieces! I’ve found that if I love a trend, I’ll go to a low price (and usually low quality) store to pick up a piece or two that I know will last about as long as the trend, that way I don’t feel too badly about the spend!
Rachel Teodoro says
Great tips! I am a huge fan of a neutral wardrobe. I also don’t get rid of clothes often unless I really hate the fit. You just never know when you will need to wear them.
Kalyn Brooke | Creative Savings says
The fit makes a HUGE difference!
Melanie says
I used to buy clothes that were not good quality, but not anymore. It’s so worth a few extra bucks!
Roxanne says
Good tips! I try to by classic pieces that I can wear for longer…but, finding something that I really love is the hard part. I usually fall in love with everything NOT in my size. lol
Lisa Martens says
Because I spend most of my time at home, I almost always wear comfies. When I do have to shop for something nice, I get sticker shock. Lol
Chrissie Em says
Awesome and so true. I often buy out of my colour comfort leading to clothes sitting in the wardrobe, some still with tags attached. Thoroughly enjoyed reading this ☺
Rachel says
How does one know what their color palette is? I know I look great in red but that’s about it.
Kalyn Brooke | Creative Savings says
If you already know you look great in red, I would search for color palettes with red hues on Pinterest. There’s always a ton of complementary colors that pop up! I picked my palette based on two colors I adored and filled in the rest.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
I am guilty of doing all of these. I have so many things in my closet that I have bought and never used.
Karen says
Totally agree with your tips – especially the quality. I am trying to focus more on saving and buying some SERIOUS good stuff and not wasting a lot on stuff that will only last me one season!
Karen | GlamKaren.com