Rewear, restyle and repeat

Summers are the season of spontaneous hangouts, patio brunches and lunches, beach days and of course the endless photo opportunities. With that comes the ultimate need for different outfits for each outing. Don’t rush to the mall just yet; the truth is, you don’t need a shopping spree to create a fresh summer look. With a little creativity and a few styling tricks, you can bring new life into the clothes you already own while also embracing more budget-friendly fashion habits.

It’s a win-win fashion situation. 

Shop your own closet

Before buying anything new, take a nice, close look at what you already have. Don’t forget to dig through the drawers, storage bins that stored away the summer clothes during winter, and most importantly, the back of your closet. You might just rediscover forgotten pieces that haven’t seen the daylight in months, and you will say, “Omg, I forgot about this!”

Try creating a mini “boutique” by laying out your clothes and experimenting with different combinations you haven’t worn yet. Maybe that oversized button-up did make for a good beach cover. Or that long skirt actually makes for a good outfit with the concert t-shirt you bought for memories.

The key is to stay creative with each outfit piece. Sometimes the newest outfit is the one you’ve simply never styled before.

Mix n’ match neutrals

The basic pieces are the ones that often flood any closet, each bought with the intention that “it’ll go with every outfit” and then never worn. That plain white tee, black and denim pants, neutral tank tops and lightweight button-ups can be mixed in countless ways.

Just think of the possibilities, the white tank can be worn:

• With denim jeans for a casual day
• With a flowy skirt for a dressy look
• Under an open button-up shirt
• With wide-leg pants for an effortless aesthetic

Make it fun and challenge yourself to create five outfits using the same basic piece item. You might be surprised by how many combinations you can come up with.

Styling tricks 

When different clothing pieces don’t make for an outfit, try styling the pieces. Try these easy styling ideas:

• Got an oversized shirt? Try tucking, knotting or cropping it.
• Roll up the sleeves for that relaxed look.
• Layer a cardigan over off-shoulder clothes for cooler evenings.
• Switch up your footwear.
• Experiment with hairstyles or headwear.

You can also practice incorporating various fashion rules into your outfits:

• The sandwich rule: A styling trick that creates a visual balance in an outfit by matching the color tone. Match the tone of your top with your shoes and contrast with your bottoms.
• 1/3 rule: This rule helps avoid making the 50/50 split of an outfit look less awkward. Oftentimes, the rule means to wear a longer top or bottom, such as a long cardigan or high-waist pants, making your outfit visually appealing.  
• The “third piece”: Exactly how the rule goes, always add a third piece to your outfit and watch how it looks much more fashionable.

You won’t believe how easily small adjustments can completely transform the way an outfit looks.

Accessories

Believe it or not, but accessories are the make or break of an outfit and can easily make the outfit look casual or dressy with the switch of a single item.

If you ever feel like upgrading a simple outfit, consider adding:

• Earrings 
• Layered necklaces
• All kinds of caps
• Sunglasses
• Tote bags
• Belts
• Rings

The same outfit can look sporty with a baseball cap and trendy with a statement belt. It all depends on the accessory you choose.

Make your wardrobe work harder

Building a more budget-friendly wardrobe does not mean sacrificing style. It just means that by wearing what you already own you reduce waste, become more mindful of fashion choices and save money. 

You just have to be creative.

Try organizing a clothing swap with your friends to get a “new” closet, repair any small tears in old items, repurpose or DIY your old clothes, and donate the pieces you no longer wear.

Follow the “one-year” rule before purchasing. Do you see yourself wearing it for any other purpose than just the trends? If your answer is no, then you know what to do.

Remember, fashion is subjective and what you make of it.

Your best outfit is already in your closet

Your best outfit is not determined by the price tags. By mixing and matching, a little bit of creativity and experimenting with fashion, you can create fresh looks all season without spending extra money.

Your clothes just need a chance to exist in a new way to be the best outfit. And as long as you have a smile, your best outfit is already halfway there.

Feature image courtesy of Burgess Milner on Unsplash

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