How to Dress Classy on a Tight Budget

The way that you dress makes a large impact on how other people will perceive you. Dressing classy can help you get jobs, make great first impressions, and feel confident. By shopping for versatile, affordable clothing, and taking good care of your clothes, you can wear classy outfits and look great without breaking the bank.

Part One of Three:
Shopping on a BudgetEdit

1

Shop at thrift stores. Consignment stores are sometimes hit or miss, but if you spend some time looking through the racks, you can find lightly worn, high quality clothes for incredible prices. Thrift stores are a great first-stop to look for both basic items (coats, shoes, dresses, etc.) and accessories before hitting the mall.^[1]
2
Shop from superstores. You can find classy clothing pieces at affordable prices by shopping at discount store chains such as Target, Walmart, and Kohl’s, and outlet stores, like Nordstrom Rack. You can also find affordable, appropriate pieces at stores geared towards a younger audience, such as Forever 21 and H&M.^[2]
- Avoid flashy, sequined, or low-cut pieces that are targeted to teen shoppers, and look instead for simpler, basic items and designs.
3

Don’t splurge on trends. Fashion moves quickly, and the hottest new style today might be totally outdated in a few weeks. Focus instead on buying classic, versatile pieces that won't go out of style.^[3]
4

Buy simple, comfortable tops. Your wardrobe should include a white collared shirt and a crew-neck or v-neck sweater; these items can be layered or worn separately. Look for tops in nice quality material that will hold up over time.
5

Purchase versatile pants and skirts.Choose items that can appropriate for work, going out, and for special events. A dark colored A-line skirt, and a good pair of blue and/or black jeans form the basis for a classy, flexible wardrobe.
6
Invest in outerwear. If it gets cold in the winter, you must have appropriate outerwear to suit your classy wardrobe. Again, it’s worth investing in a high quality material so that you can get many years of use out of it.^[4]
- For milder weather, purchase a black blazer to pull together business or work-appropriate outfits. You can also wear it in more casual settings by dressing it down with a T-shirt and jeans.
- Buy a versatile trench coat or peacoat for colder seasons.
7

Buy clothes in solid colors. Solid colored shirts and pants are extremely versatile, and often appear near-identical to more upscale, designer brands. While most solid colored clothes look classy and elegant regardless of the fabric, inexpensive, patterned clothes run the risk of looking cheap. Solid colors are easy to mix and match, so you’ll be able to make more outfits with fewer items.^[5]
8

Opt for simple, classic fits and materials. Clothes that are too tight or overly baggy look cheap, so buy clothes in conventional cuts that fit your body. In addition, look for cotton, tweed, and linen materials, which look classy and expensive even when the clothing itself is affordable.^[6]
9
Buy a few accessories. Jewelry, watches, and belts can help tie together classy outfits while spicing up your wardrobe. Be strategic about your shopping, and look for bargains at consignment stores and discount chains before spending money at a nicer place.^[7]
- Invest in versatile, everyday accessories, such as a string of pearls, a nice watch, and a belt.
- Avoid splurging on costume pieces, like chunky necklaces and cocktail rings, that can only be worn on special occasions.
- Buy purses in solid colors with no embellishment, and sharp, solid edges. This style appears high-end.
10

Choose classy, affordable shoes.You can find great deals on Zappos.com, or in the shoe warehouse chains like DSW. Opt for off-brand shoes. Especially when it comes to nicer styles, like pumps or oxfords, knock-off shoes will be far less expensive while appearing almost identical to their designer