12 tips for looking stylish on a budget

Hi everyone,

If you are on a budget and still want to look like a million bucks, there are definitely certain things you can do to ensure you look stylish all the same. Here are my top 10 things to do:

1. Good grooming

A stylish look always starts with good grooming. Radiant healthy skin, neatly trimmed and polished nails, clean, shiny hair, and a healthy haircut. With this, even a $5 t-shirt will look great.

Good grooming doesn’t have to mean expensive facials and manicures. Nor does it have to mean contoured makeup, hair extensions, and false eyelashes. It just has to be you, fresh, simple, and with a healthy glow. Eat well, drink water, take a bath, and take your makeup off every night – simple things will like this will make all the difference.

2. Choose neutral colors

Neutral colors serve as a fantastic base: think black, grey, navy, tan, baby pink, powdered blue, cognac, brown, military/olive green, and white. They can also be a huge time saver, eliminating that difficult decision of what to wear each morning. No one will notice that you wear neutral-colored blazers, trousers, and skirts on repeat when you’re mixing them with standout tops and accessories.

3. Shop versatile

Streamline your wardrobe by focusing on pieces that provide a mix of activities. Choose a blouse that can be worn to Sunday brunch with friends and then transitioned to suit your Monday morning meeting. Look for clothes that accommodate a different range of accessories and you’ve got yourself a versatile wardrobe.

4. Pay attention to the shape

Looks that flatter your figure and make you feel comfortable and confident will always scream sophistication. A proper fit is by far the most important factor in making your clothes look more expensive.

If a sleeve is too wide, a shoulder too narrow, a pant leg too long, or a dress too loose, it’s going to look cheap. In fact, even if a piece is expensive, it will look cheap in the wrong size or shape.

5. Find a good tailor

To help ensure you’ve always got the right size and shape, consider visiting a tailor. Personal tailoring is like waving a magic wand over your clothes, even the ones you thought were at the end of their days. Alterations like taking hems up or down are generally pretty straightforward and inexpensive – Looksmart Alterations promises to have your jeans or pants hemmed within an hour or it’s free. If you are local, LaMoumous Atelier definitely got you.

6. Accept hand-me-downs – Thrifting

Wearing hand-me-down clothes and clothing from op shops is a fantastic way to save on your clothing budget. It also helps the environment – did you know in Australia alone, 500 000 tonnes of textiles end up in landfill every year?

Some people don’t like the idea of wearing old clothes, but often it creates a creative and fashion-forward statement because you can make old styles new again. If you’re not a dab hand at alterations, LaMoumous Atelier can work its magic and take care of the clothes for you.

7. Take advantage of accessorizing

The single easiest and one of the most affordable ways to spruce up a neutral outfit is to match it with accessories. It could be a scarf, hat, glasses, belt, or jewelry; accessories can make all the difference. Experiment and see what you can come up with. Keep it minimal, because more often one well-chosen piece is more impactful than several pieces.

8. Know your measurements

If you’re buying off-the-rack and then planning to visit the tailor, know your measurements before you shop. Buying anything that’s more than one size too small or large can mean costly alterations and the result is often not ideal. When possible, stick to buying clothes that are your size or one size larger.

You can also request your measurement minder by booking a session with me here.

9. Consider strategic buying of dupes

You might not have a million dollars in your bank account, but others don’t need to know that. Pretend you’ve just stepped off a yacht and keep things neutral in all white/beige. Look for quality knockoffs of your favorite designs (no logos). Remember that style isn’t just about how much you spend. You can still look great in something from a budget store if you choose wisely and wear it with confidence!

10. Care for your clothes

Having style means respecting your clothing and accessories to ensure they are well-kept. Clothes look their best when they are pressed and cleaned. Wash your clothes according to instructions, and air dry them when possible to lengthen their life.

Make heads turn

The bottom line is that looking stylish on a small budget is possible. You just have to put some thought into your outfits and know your style.

Before you buy anything new for your wardrobe, take a look at the big picture. Do you have a tonne of blue items but nothing in red? Do you have a tonne of t-shirts but only one or two blouses? Review everything often so that you only buy what’s missing.

To learn more, read those articles on clothing budgets for the whole family, or making the most of hand-me-downs. Don’t forget that I am just one message away.

For style coaching consultancy, request your 20-minute free consultation here.