Woman holding a pink dress in a clothing showroom

When most people think about affordable trendy clothes, they think about fast fashion brands that churn out new budget-friendly styles at the speed of lightning, often at the cost of quality. 

But what if there was a way you could dress in high-quality designer fits and look stylish without draining your bank account? All it requires is a little knowledge about how to spot good deals and where to focus your shopping efforts. Check out these savvy shopping tips for designer fashion on a budget to learn more.

Basics Are Always In

A person holding folded solid tshirts

The number one rule for dressing high-end is to not cheap out on your basics. Classic items such as a pair of dark wash jeans, a solid white and black t-shirt, a black handbag, and sunglasses are the foundational pieces of your wardrobe and you’ll get a lot of use out of them so it’s better to go for higher quality rather than wasting money on items that might fall apart after just a few uses. 

In fact, this is what fashion on a budget really means because quality basics are actually cheaper in the long run if you take the cost per wear (CPW) into account. For example, if you buy a pair of nude heels for $200 and wear them 100 times, your CPW is only $2. Whereas a similar pair that costs $50 but falls apart after say 20 uses would’ve cost you $2.5 per wear in comparison.

Choose Separates Over One-Pieces

Denim clothes hanging on a clothesline

One-piece garments such as dresses, playsuits, and rompers are fun and necessary, but they don’t leave a lot of room for mixing and matching. That’s why it’s better to invest in separates such as tops, skirts, pants, and co-ords for fashion on a budget because you can combine them in multiple ways to create different outfits. For example, 4 tops and 4 skirts churn out 16 outfit combinations. While shopping for separates, stick to timeless and versatile styles as much as possible to maximize your outfit options.

When to Choose Quantity Over Quality

Two women in cocktail dresses holding wine

Splurging on quality is not always the way to go if you want fashion on a budget. Special occasion outfits such as cocktail dresses and ball gowns are typically worn only once and have a really high CPW. For such items, you can either consider something inexpensive or take the alternative route of renting or borrowing from friends. 

The same applies to seasonal trends. You don’t have to completely deprive yourself of the current influencer favs, but if they’ll become dated the next season it’s better to look for affordable trendy clothes you and your wallet wouldn’t mind getting rid of after a few uses.

Invest in Classic Accessories

A woman at a shoe store checking out shoes

The right accessories make all the difference when it comes to high fashion on a budget. Even the simplest of ensembles can be made more stylish with some classic jewelry from Chanel, or a designer bag and a pair of luxe footwear from Michael Kors. Accessories are the best way to dress your outfits up or down and you’ll be flaunting them time and again, so go all out on a few designer styles that have timeless appeal.

Be Proactive With Maintenance

A person ironing clothes

Whether it’s affordable trendy clothes or designer items, proper upkeep is key to their appearance and longevity. You can’t hand-wash a suit or blazer that’s “dry clean only” and expect it to last you a long time and even a $500 silk shirt will look cheap if it’s not ironed well. Following your product’s care and maintenance instructions is the easiest way to make your outfits look more stylish and expensive.

Where to Shop Fashion on a Budget

Higher quality doesn’t always have to come with a costly price tag. With a bit of patience and some fashion-hunting skills, you can find a ton of designer items at discounted prices. Thrift shopping is one option but it can be tricky to nail if you’re not experienced. Outlet stores such as Buy Outlet are a much more convenient alternative for finding great deals on branded clothing and accessories.

Feel free to compare the prices offered by different outlets but we assure that ours are the best in the market if you’re here for fashion on a budget. Keep an eye out for seasonal sales and try to shop as early as possible to grab your size before it goes out of stock. You’ll find many irresistible deals in the clearance sale section as well. We also have a robust loyalty program where you can earn points on every purchase for even more savings in the long run. 

Shop without worries because all products are personally inspected by us before packaging. We also offer free shipping and hassle-free returns to make your experience as seamless as possible. Take a look at our collection of affordable trendy clothes now!

About the Author

Buy Outlet

Tigran Galstyan is the owner and CEO of Buy Outlet, a designer outlet store that offers the best prices, guaranteed. Galstyan is an expert on luxury fashion and is passionate about sharing his knowledge of smart shopping and styling through his brand. His blogs seek to provide chic, comfortable, and practical fashion advice for every season, every occasion, and everyone in the family.