Simple savings: spruce up your spring wardrobe on a shoestring

The shop windows are always dressed up to lure you in with the latest man bag or jumper trend, especially as the season starts to change from winter to spring, but you should resist… Changing seasons doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank to buy a new wardrobe. Here are five clever tips to spruce up your wardrobe on a budget.

1. Accessories make the outfit

The new season means new prints, shapes and styles to splash out on, or so it seems. It’s tempting to fill your wardrobe with the latest trends. Resist the urge. Fashion is fleeting, and taking this approach means a new wardrobe every few months, but an empty savings account.  A new scarf or removable fur trim could be the one thing to brighten up your trusted jacket (without spending a fortune on a new one).

2. Invest in quality basics

If you’re going to splash out on anything, it should be quality basics that you can mix and match to create a well-rounded look, such as a good jacket or pair of boots. These investment pieces can carry you through, year after year, unlike that pink velvet pea coat that you’ll be bored of by Easter.

3. Sharing is caring

Are you bored of your wardrobe, but don’t want to splurge on new clothes? Consider killing two birds with one stone by combining a shopping trip and an evening with friends. Buy some drinks and pizzas from the supermarket and invite your most stylish friends round for a wardrobe swap-shop.

4. Second hand doesn’t mean second best

Want to experiment with a bold new look, but not sure you want to commit? Your local charity shop could be just the ticket. Throw away your preconceptions and be prepared to get stuck in; there are gems amongst the tat, with many donations never worn, and you’re likely to find something unique. A charity shop hack? Look out for items with labels purposely cut out. This may indicate it’s a direct donation from a retailer, who may have a partnership with a large charity for end of season clothing or pieces with minor stitching errors.

5. Repurpose your favourites

Cut down the cost-per-wear of your summer favourites by reworking them for cold days… Strappy floral dresses can be worn over plain roll necks for a layered look, and most things still look good with a simple pair of black tights and boots, or with jeans instead of shorts.