When you are trying to be fashionable, you can also be hard on your wallet. The good news is that there are plenty of ways you can stay on trend without breaking the bank. If you plan your wardrobe and shop strategically, you can find creative and economic new styles with reasonably priced clothing. Make the most out of your tight budget with some of the following tips.

• Thrifty chic – I always suggest trying a thrift store first if you want to stay trendy while on a budget. These cloths will always be cheaper than new items, and the older pieces are sure to be well-made. There are new possibilities every day. Trends come in cycles, so it is very likely that you will find something secondhand that meets todays fashion standards. There are other cloths that never seem to go out of style (i.e. the “little black dress”), and these classics will most likely stay around for generations. Another thrifty option is to go through your parents’ and grandparents’ old cloths. You never know what you might find.
• Quality, not quantity – It is always important to look for cloths that are going to last a long time. Too many people think that they are saving money when they buy lots of poor quality pieces, but they end up paying more for their wardrobe in the end. You will be better off buying one well-made item than a hundred items that are going to fade or break in a few years. You will have to replace your wardrobe less often, and you will be much happier when you get a quality piece of clothing at a good price. You can mix and match these key, quality items and create a new outfit every day. All clothing should have strong stitching. Before you buy anything, make sure it fits you well in every way. Sit and stand a few times, bend down, and stretch to make sure you can move easily. This will make sure you aren’t going to rip a seam or wear out the item too quickly. You want to make sure you won’t be forced into paying for repairs or a new item all together.
• Know your limits – Make a budget and decide exactly how much money you are willing to spend on clothing and accessories. Set aside money for other important bills and a food budget before you start on your clothing budget. While it is important, clothing doesn’t need to be bought every month, and you definitely don’t want to go into debt because you had to buy that pair of shoes. Save a little each month, and use the savings on one shopping trip every few months. You will avoid the struggle that is credit card debt, and you will feel less guilty when you shop.
• Wait for a sale – If you can’t find what you are looking for in a thrift store, you can go to a department store to find your cloths, but try to avoid very high end stores. If you are like me, you may see something that you think you just need to have now, and you may use your entire budget on one item. Instead, wait for a good sale. When you go to a department store, look at the clearance racks first because these items are usually discounted at 50 to 75% off the retail price. Department stores also cut down original prices almost every week with their sales, and if you wait until an item goes on sale, you may be able to avoid your buyer’s remorse. Between these sales and the coupons that department stores usually have in your morning paper, you should never have to pay full price at a department store.
• Borrow or Rent – If your friends are anything like you, they probably have a fantastic wardrobe as well. If you are going to an event and you need to dress up, try borrowing items from your friends’ closets before you go buy a whole new outfit. You may also have the option of renting cloths, especially when you are going to a formal event. Renting a dress for a wedding or a formal dinner could save you a lot of money because you would probably never wear that dress again if you had bought it instead.