This article will help you elevate your wardrobe on a budget with affordable online shopping tips.
I’m sure many of you have heard economists project that the United States is headed toward a recession in 2023. When you’re on a budget it is penny for penny. You need to know exactly where every dime is going. It’s important to tell your money where it’s going before you even get it. At the same time, as a stylish woman, you want an affordable yet trendy wardrobe. Right?!
If you’re reading this, I am sure you love to shop. It can be challenging trying to dress classy, and chic yet keep the whole outfit under $100 bucks. It is something that can be done with some patience and research.
There are many affordable online shopping options in 2023.
I’ve done all the research for you.
When I was in high school the 2008 recession came barreling at us. It was a difficult time financially for many families including mine. So, I had to figure out where to shop and how to shop smart. In the end, I was able to still look chic and remain within my parent’s budget, and I am going to tell you just how I did it.
I am here to help you with how and where to shop affordably online in 2023 for a timeless yet trendy wardrobe.
How to shop Smart in 2023
When online shopping for the best deals in 2023 its important to keep in mind several factors. You want to keep in mind the quality, price, season, special sales, coupons, price drops, and item maintenance.
I will break down all of this for you, so you never have to stress again. So, let’s get into it.
Affordable online shopping: Buy off Season
I have been buying clothes for the opposite season since I was a teenager in High school. For example, if it’s summered many times stores will still be trying to eliminate excess inventory in the back room, and they will pull out fall and winter items for clearance. Vice versa for fall. This is the time when I am buying all my clothes and shoes for fall for a steal. These items are usually marked down significantly. There are so many affordable online stores to shop at with crazy good deals.
Many stores sell trendy clothing. Much of this trendy clothing is passable for me. The quality is dreadful, and the customer service is mediocre. Some of these stores don’t even offer returns. Enough with that, we aren’t throwing shade, just stating the obvious facts. You want to be careful about where you shop.
This makes it easy to build a capsule wardrobe for any season.
The goal is to shop at stores with affordable prices and quality clothing, with a focus on environmental sustainability.
Four factors to Consider when adding to your wardrobe
Quality is number one for me. I want to make sure the items I put on my body are the finest fabrics and feel good to my skin and body.
Price is the next factor I consider when adding items to my wardrobe. The quality and price must be a match.
Low maintenance items are easy to wash, dry, and maintain. I like to buy durable fabrics like cotton and linen. These materials are easy to wash and dry. I love linen and cotton because they are breathable and comfortable fabrics. Cotton is a great fabric that can be worn all year long. The more you wash linen the stronger it becomes which is a wonderful feature.
Sustainability plays an important role in my decision to buy a piece or not. The idea of sustainable fashion arose in the 1960s. Consumers became more aware of what they purchased and how much. Today is something that many shoppers take seriously and only purchase from sustainable companies.
Fast forward to today and many people are joining the suitability bandwagon. I am working on becoming more economically conscious every day and want to contribute to preserving our beautiful earth. Unfortunately, the more conscious-friendly brands typically are expensive.
In 2017, H&M.com launched its conscious collection to become more environmentally friendly. They aim to make all items of recycled materials or other sustainable sources by 2030. They have made many great accomplishments so I’m sure they will achieve this goal. H&M is a place I often shop at online because they have more available options.
Stores for shop: Adding to your Wardrobe in 2023
You can find some amazing deals online that sometimes you can’t get in-store. For example, I love shopping at H&M, and they always have coupons, sales, and promotions going on all week. Be sure to download the app, this makes it easier to check out in-store and you’ll receive special in-app promotions as well.
In addition, I love shopping at Ever Lane. This brand is all about being ethical, sourcing the finest fabrics, and being transparent. They have great deals at the end of each season. I have seen them mark items down to 70%, which is such a steal considering how great the quality of their items is. With Everlane keep in mind, you only have a 30-day return policy.
Walmart has stepped up its game regarding women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories. They have all the trendiest styles as well as great basics. Their best brands are Time and Tru, Scoop, and the newest brand Free Assembly. I always go to Walmart weekly to check out the latest styles of clothing and shoes. All their clothes and shoes start at 9.99 up to $35 typically. With Walmart, you have 90 days of receipt to make a return.
ASOS is a UK-based online store founded in 2000. It aims primarily at young adults. They sell a wide range of sizes and styles. They feature many different brands like boohoo, misguided, Nike, reebok, and more. Prices vary on the site; you can find amazing deals regardless. Keep in mind they offer free delivery and returns, an app fit assistant, and a style match. Download the app. In addition, if you’re a student they offer a 15% student discount.
Amazon.com is a wonderful marketplace with an extensive selection. There are so many different options at your fingertips when it comes to shopping at Amazon. I always have specific items in mind to purchase, this way I don’t go down the rabbit hole, scrolling and buying things I don’t need. If the item is eligible for a return which typically clothing and shoes are, you have 30 days.
Furthermore, I always make sure to set a monthly budget. It’s important to do this so you tell your money where it’s going instead of it telling you. I always have a particular amount in mind each month that I am allowed to spend on clothing, shoes, and accessories. I highly recommend you do this to make sure you are keeping track of your finances.
Secondhand Shopping to save money
Another option when looking to shop affordable online is second hand. Many people have varying opinions on buying secondhand.
I love going thrifting, it’s something I have done since I was a little girl with my mom. It’s easy to walk down any aisle and find an amazing silk blouse for only $6.99. It’s the best feeling being able to find an entire wardrobe for 90% less than what you’d spend at a department store.
Things to keep in mind when thrift shopping
Goodwill prices vary depending on the state you live in. Prices in New Jersey range from $ .99 to $6.99. There is a designer/ NWT section in the goodwill where items can be quite expensive.
Consignment shops usually sell New with tags items and designer items like Alice & Olivia, Marc Jacobs, Burberry, and more. Consignment stores can be pricey depending on your budget. There typically is not anything under $50. I enjoy going to the consignment shop to look for brands like Madewell and Nordstrom house brands because of the cheaper discounted price.
eBay is a great marketplace where you’re able to buy new and used items at a discounted price. I always recommend downloading the apps because it makes the shopping experience easy as all your information is saved on the app. When researching items, I want to buy I look at several different sellers, their ratings, and how long they’ve been selling. It is important to not only look at the pictures of the item of interest but also read the description, especially for used items.
Personally, I sell on eBay and there are many people who only look at the photos and don’t read the description. So read, read read!
ThredUp was founded in 2009. It is the largest online thrift store selling women’s and kids’ second-hand apparel. ThredUp offers over 35,000 brands and items are up to 90% off retail price. It’s a fun, easy, and sustainable way of shopping from the comfort of your own home. Get $10 off your first purchase just click here.
Keep in mind it’s important to have a budget even when shopping at thrift stores. Have a mental or physical list of items you want before shopping.
Maximize your purchases
Now we have seen how easy it can be to shop affordable online. Let me introduce you on how to earn money while spending money. A great way to earn an incentive for shopping is through apps that give you cash back for shopping. There are so many different cash-back apps. I like to use Rakuten which partners with over 3000 stores.
How to use Rakuten:
Download the app, make an account, and add your payment and address information. Next, type in the store of interest, sign into the website if you have an account and that’s it. You will then receive an email stating that your cashback will be in your account within 2 weeks. You can cash out once a month via a check sent to you or PayPal.
Get $30 reward when you spend $30 click here
Resources
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