Everyone wants to look good. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do, there is something about looking good that boosts confidence and makes you feel like you’re ready to take on the world. However, some people think it’s only possible to look good if you purchase the most expensive items.
This is not the case, although nice clothes are appealing, anyone who is dedicated to their budget knows luxury brands are out of the question. You don’t need the latest collections to look the part, and you don’t need to spend your weekly paycheck on professional pampering, either. Here are eight ways you can save money and look your best whenever.
Ditch Fast Fashion
Fast fashion is convenient. It’s popular amongst people who aren’t flush with cash but still want to look good when they hit the town or take yet another selfie to post to social media. However, besides the environmental impact of fast fashion, it can also wreak havoc on your finances.
While it might feel like you’re getting a good deal purchasing ten t-shirts for ten dollars, these items are terrible quality, especially when buying something to wear regularly. As much as you might balk at spending more than 20 dollars for a simple garment, you can feel confident that it will last, and this means you can slowly build a dependable wardrobe, rather than one you replace every three months.
Do It Yourself
The beauty industry is profitable. People will spend hundreds to look good, but while there are some treatments you can’t do yourself, there are others you might be able to master to look your best without paying salon prices.
If you fancy changing your look, consider the best way to try balayage hair. If you want to enhance your favorite features with makeup and contouring, use YouTube tutorials to educate yourself and practice. You won’t get it right the first time, but a little perseverance could save you hundreds over the next few years, which you can use to buy better products or put away for a rainy day.
Shop Around
From holiday deals to stunning outfits found at just the right time in a sale, shopping around is one of the best ways to look your best without spending a fortune. A must-needed break will refresh your body and mind, while sales racks are always rife with quality items, especially if you don’t care about keeping up with the season’s trends.
However, shopping around is boring for some people. They want instant gratification from a purchase. They are excited to add something to their wardrobe. When they stumble across the same items cheaper, though, they quill;y realize their mistake.
Wait 30 Days
If you have your eye on something you cannot resist, the temptation to purchase it on your credit card is often too much. However, this is a trap that plenty of people fall into. Credit cards are not a magical buy-now-pay-later scheme like many believe, but rather for security when making larger purchases.
There are some things you want, things you feel you cannot live without. If you’re desperate for it, wait 30 days and then consider whether the purchase is something you truly need. By that point, you may realize you don’t need it at all, so you’ll save money and you’ll still look good.
Realize Your Potential
Health and fitness is another aspect that you should consider when you want to look your best. Much like fashion, you’ve likely been convinced you cannot look good without a gym membership. Depending on where you live, this membership could cost anywhere between $40 and $100 for good facilities.
Most people don’t have the time or the money to fund a healthy lifestyle like this, but that doesn’t mean you should miss out on your potential. Home workouts with equipment or through bodyweight exercises can help, whereas cardio workouts are free, aside from purchasing proper running gear. You don’t need to spend much to get started, though, as this will give you time to determine what activities are best for you.
Borrow From Friends
Borrowing from friends is a great way to look good on nights out or for big, exciting events without buying something that you may only wear once. If you have friends that are your size, ask around if they have anything you could wear.
This might seem very college student to you, but college students are extremely adept at saving money wherever possible. As long as you don’t damage it beyond repair, you can clean it afterward and send it back to your friends as good as new.
Upcycle and Repurpose
Upcycling and repurposing are two other effective ways to get the most from any clothes you already have. If you prefer to be at the forefront of the latest trends, you don’t want to jump on any bandwagon too late, and being able to transform your existing wardrobe could do wonders.
Jeans, jackets, skirts, and dresses can all become something else. It might not seem this way at first, but mixing and matching items can create a brand new outfit that you’ll be happy to show off without spending a penny.
Learn To Sew
Everyone has that item they wear all the time, and this means this specific item will wear down faster than other items in your wardrobe. Even if you don’t wear it often, accidents can happen, and it could catch on door handles, tearing a hole.
This is why learning to sew is so useful. Rather than throw out a perfectly good piece of clothing, you can repair it with nobody else being any wiser. Unless it experiences severe damage, a small patch here or there won’t be noticeable, and it means you can wear your favorites for much longer.
The Best You
Despite what the media and millions of marketing dollars might tell you, there is no need to drive yourself towards bankruptcy just to look good. There are plenty of ways to look your best and feel confident about who you are without breaking the bank, so don’t be afraid to explore the multitude of available options.