A man’s wardrobe should be timeless – but a lot of online style gurus just don’t understand the fact most guys can’t spend thousands of dollars on new clothes!
I get it – you’ve got a family to feed and bills to pay. Buying 3 new suits in one paycheck just isn’t an option, so what other option do you have? Live a style-starved life and make do with what you have?
Slow up there, buddy. Timeless style doesn’t always carry a hefty price tag. In today’s article, you’ll discover how to build a badass wardrobe without breaking the band.
We’ll be covering:
- Shop The Sales
- Buy Cheap And Pay For Tailoring
- Thrift Store Tips And Tricks
- Buy High But Buy Less
- The Best Budget Brands For Men
#1 Shop The Sales
It’s that time of year again when stores are trying to clear out their inventory to make room for the new season’s stock. While this may seem like a nightmare for your wallet, shopping during the sales can actually help you save money and get great deals on affordable, classic men’s clothing.
One way to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck is to do your research beforehand. Know what style of clothing you’re looking for and what brands offer quality items at affordable prices. Once you’ve got a game plan, hit the stores and start looking for those killer deals.
You may be surprised at how much money you can save and how many great items you can snag on clearance. So next time the sales come around, don’t be afraid to take advantage of them.
One of the best ways to get your hands on high-quality sale clothing is to wait until stores run their seasonal sales. At the end of each season, most retailers will sell off the stock they didn’t sell at much lower prices because most guys won’t be wearing them when the next season turns around.
For example, stores will sell off their summer stock at a discounted price to make way for their fall/winter range.
If you time it right, you can take advantage of this and buy your summer clothing for next year at a reduced price.
#2 Buy Cheap And Pay For Tailoring
Anyone who’s ever watched a James Bond movie knows that nothing speaks “class” like a well-tailored suit.
The same holds true for the everyday guy – a properly fitted suit conveys confidence and speaks volumes about a man’s sense of style.
However, wearing designer labels isn’t the only way to achieve this look.
In fact, with a little bit of effort, it’s possible to get the same level of luxury at a fraction of the price.
Opt for affordable classic pieces and have them altered by a tailor to fit perfectly. Do this, and it’s easy to put together an ensemble of affordable classic men’s style pieces that looks every bit as impressive as something from a high-end designer.
If you can land a suit for $100 and pay your tailor another $50 for alterations, chances are you’ll end up with an outfit that looks far more expensive than it is.
For those of you not in the know, when asking a tailor to alter your suit, you should ask them to do the following:
- Shorten the jacket sleeves so that they sit just above your wrist
- Narrow the lapels to suit your taste and build
- Bring in the sides of the jacket to slim down your silhouette
- Take in the trousers at the waist and taper them towards the ankle
- Hem the trousers so they sit lightly on the top of your shoe
By making these small adjustments, you can take an affordable, off-the-rack suit and turn it into a bespoke-looking garment that wouldn’t look out of place on the red carpet.
Tailoring doesn’t have to be expensive either. You can usually find a good local tailor who can do all of the above for around $50-$100.
#3 Thrift Store Tips And Tricks
Thrift stores get a lot of bad press – and for good reason. If you’ve ever stepped foot in one, you know that they can be overwhelming places full of junk and outdated clothes.
However, with a bit of patience and an eye for detail, it’s possible to find some real gems hiding amongst the racks:
- First, make sure you know what you’re looking for. So before you go, take some time to think about the items you need and make a list.
- Second, don’t be afraid to try things on. A lot of thrift stores have strict no-return policies, so it’s important that you’re sure about an item before you buy it.
- Third, take your time. It’s easy to get overwhelmed in a thrift store and miss out on some great finds. So take your time, and go through the racks slowly.
- Fourth, make sure you haggle! A lot of thrift store owners are open to negotiating on price, so don’t be afraid to ask for a discount.
- Finally, don’t forget to wash everything before you wear it. This is especially important with thrift store clothing, as you don’t know who wore it or what it’s been through.
Once you’ve found some great quality, thrifted garments, hit up your tailor and get your clothes tailored to suit your body. I’m not just talking about suits, either. Anything from jeans to polo shirts can be tailored to suit your figure, so don’t be afraid to ask your tailor how they can help you.
Tailoring is an important part of affordable, classic style. By taking advantage of thrift stores and tailoring your clothes to fit perfectly, you can put together a timeless wardrobe on a budget. So get out there and start thrifting!
#4 Buy High But Buy Less
Another school of thought when buying affordable classic men’s style pieces is to pay higher prices but buy less clothing.
This method of budget shopping is tricky because you need to understand how to create an interchangeable and minimal wardrobe so that the fewer high-quality garments you own can be used to achieve a multitude of different outfits.
I’ve covered the concept of wardrobe interchangeability in many articles. However, to summarize:
- Invest in clothes that match one another (both in style and color)
- Stick to a limited color palette
- Choose versatile items that can be dressed up or down
- Know your own personal style.
It’s important to understand what kind of clothing makes you feel good and confident. Once you know your style, it’s much easier to invest in high-quality pieces that will last you for years.
After all, there’s a high possibility that cheaper clothes will break easier and look worn out quicker. When this happens, you’ll need to replace them, which means more money spent on new garments and tailoring as explained above!
Isn’t it better to invest in less high-quality clothes so that you can guarantee the longevity of your wardrobe and save money in the long run?
It really depends on the sort of man you are. If you’re the sort of guy that changes his mind a lot and likes to mix up his wardrobe often then a higher-priced interchangeable wardrobe probably isn’t for you.
However, if you’re the sort of guy who’s happy to wear the same outfits year-in-year-out, then consider investing high and less often when it comes to your wardrobe.
#5 The Best Budget Brands For Men
When it comes to finding affordable classic men’s style pieces, there are a few budget clothing brands that stand out from the rest.
For starters, take a look at J.Crew Factory. They offer high-quality clothes at a fraction of the price of their mainline J.Crew counterparts. The Factory branch of J.Crew simply sells older stock that isn’t part of J.Crew’s most recent clothing lines. To a lot of guys, this might be a deal-breaker, but when shopping for style rather than fashion, it doesn’t matter how old a garment is, as long as it’s classic and stylish.
Another great option is Uniqlo. This Japanese brand is known for its simple, well-made clothes. From basics to statement pieces, Uniqlo produces some fantastic clothing that is often ethically sourced and is always incredibly high in quality. They also collaborate with top-end designers on many of their product lines such as their +J range which is designed in collaboration with Jil Sander.
Finally, don’t sleep on H&M. They offer some of the best men’s basics on the market and for an incredibly low price tag! Would I advise using them for your suits and shirts? Probably not, but when it comes to staple items like t-shirts, jeans, and underwear you really can’t go wrong.
As I mentioned earlier, just make sure to get your clothing tailored. To be honest, this is just good practice regardless of where you shop for your clothes! Nothing looks better than a man in clothing that actually fits him, and a good tailor can help you achieve that.
Want to learn more about affordable classic men’s style pieces and how you can create the perfect interchangeable wardrobe? Click here for a comprehensive guide on timeless style.