I’m a fashionista on a budget, my tips will save you hundreds on clothes – I’ve bagged Air Force trainers for £12
Trying to find inspiration for an outfit while sifting through your wardrobe can be a daunting task.
With the cost of living continuing to rise, spending on clothes can brighten your look but darken your personal finances.
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However, there are some clever ways to cut costs if you know how.
Little-Loans.com has teamed up with “Instagram Mum”, Emma Stretton, who has shared her tips and tricks for saving on clothing prices.
“Fashion is one of my favorite things to do, but my clothes shopping habits led me to get into serious debt when I was young. Now I try to be a lot smarter and make the most of the clothes I already have and spend as little as possible when I buy something new.”
Emma Stretton is a mother of two and a savvy saver living in Manchester.
By following Emma’s tips and making small, simple adjustments to your shopping habits, you can save extra money.
1. Beloved finds
“I’m obsessed with Vinted. I also enjoy shopping for charity, but it’s hard to find time with two boys who don’t like being dragged through the stores. To find the best stuff, I usually look at online stores, see what’s trending or what I like, and then I search for it on Vinted.
“For example, I went to a charity ball and saw a pink dress online that I absolutely loved. I kept searching for “pink dress” on Vinted until one was listed. It would have cost £80 if bought brand new but I got it for £25. Not only can you save a lot by buying second-hand, you can also find things that not everyone else has.”
2. children’s clothing
“I usually do winter and summer shopping for the children. I’ll check everything they currently have to see what fits and what doesn’t. My oldest son’s clothes then go in a basket on top of the closet until they fit my youngest son. Once I’ve done that, I can figure out what, if anything, they need.
“Then I look at thrift sites like Vinted or eBay and buy whatever they need. I bought my eldest son a pair of Nike Air Force 1’s for £12 which were as good as new.
“Children outgrow clothes and shoes quickly, so used clothes and shoes can often be as good as new.”
3. Debobbler
“A debobbler or fabric shaver is a must for salvaging worn sweaters.
“They’re super easy to use and cost around £15. It’s really satisfying to watch the bobbles come off and your favorite clothes restored. You can save a fortune on new sweater purchases by taking just ten minutes to remove the pom poms you already have.”
4. Fabric scissors
“I’m 5’1” so most of the clothes I buy are a bit too long. I bought fabric scissors off eBay and use them regularly to cut jeans and t-shirts. I could have them collected but it costs around £12 depending on the item.
“I’ve cropped my two favorite jeans to make them shorter and have about ten t-shirts that I’ve cropped the hem off to turn into a cropped style. If a frayed hem doesn’t bother you, then it saves so much money not only on alterations, but also on having to buy more expensive petite styles.
5. Hem tape
“Semming tape is amazing – I even taped a sequin dress with just a roll of it. Almost all of my skirts and pants have been altered with hem tape.
“It’s basically a roll of tape that you attach to the hem of a garment and then iron to hold it in place. Again, it saves a lot of money when making changes. If you make a mistake, just dampen a piece of damp cloth and iron over the area where the batting is and it comes off real easy.”
6. Wishlists
“If I want something completely new, such as a bikini for vacation, I use the wish list function on shopping websites.
“I save the things I like and then wait for either a sale or a discount code. You run the risk of the item being sold out, but that doesn’t bother me that much because I always have something else I like.”
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