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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Illinois State chapter.

Fashion is how you tell the world who you are without having to say a thing. With that said, you may feel you don’t have the funds to express yourself to your fullest potential. I have been a fashion enthusiast since my preteen years; however, I have also been broke since my preteens. Consequently, I have learned some life hacks to enhance my style while living life on the frugal side.

Do Not Buy ‘Trendy’ Pieces for Full Price

Trends are ephemeral, so therefore there is no need to purchase a piece of clothing that may be very popular at the moment because years down the road, you probably will never wear it. There is an argument of whether or not you should follow trends in the first place, but if you do decide to buy a trendy item, go to a second-hand store or try resale apps like DEPOP. This will save you so much money long term because if you end up not wearing that item, you would have only sacrificed a little money instead of a lot. I try to stray away from very trendy pieces and invest more in clothes I will be wearing for years. With that said, I would be lying if I said I didn’t own any claw clips or sweater vests though.

ACCESSORIZE

When you don’t have the money to buy a new outfit, accessorize one you’ve already got. People understand the power of jewelry a simple necklace and cute pair of earrings can change the game. Adding a few necklaces can make wearing a crewneck and leggings look stylish. Just the little extra details will make or break an outfit; after all, the devil is in the details. Pick a few statement pieces to add to any outfit and you will appear effortlessly stylish!

Stick to the Basics

There are some clothes that simply never go out of style, so it’s important to always have those pieces in your wardrobe at all times. Try to not waste your money on eccentric clothes unless you find them for cheap at a thrift shop. Being able to find clothes for multiple events is essential for saving money. For example, invest in a nice pair of jeans because if you find the right pair, they will last you for years.

Create a Capsule Wardrobe

If you have never heard of a ‘capsule wardrobe,’ it basically means only keeping clothes in your closet that serve a purpose. Take some time to look through your entire wardrobe and get rid of the clothes you hardly wear. You can donate these pieces or sell them for some extra money. Before I was old enough to get a job, I would always sell my clothes to make a few extra bucks. Having a personalized wardrobe will help prevent purchasing unnecessary clothes and save you a lot of money. 

Well, there you have it: a few tips and tricks on enhancing your wardrobe without breaking the bank! If you have the same passion for fashion as I do, I hope these tips were helpful and you assist you in using every moment of your life as an opportunity for fashion. 

Thanks for reading,

V

Hi, I'm Vanesa! I am currently a Communication major at Illinois State University. I'm so thrilled to be a part of the HerCampus team because writing has always been a huge passion for me and now I have an opportunity to showcase that and grow as a writer. Besides writing, I love horror movies, dramatic tv shows, and iced coffee. I hope you enjoy my articles as much as I enjoy writing them so stay tuned for more! xoxo, V