There are few things more satisfying than finding a piece of clothing that really just feels right when you put it on. It can almost feel as though it was practically made with your personal style in mind. But there’s nothing worse than turning over the tag, seeing the price and having to put it straight back in the rack. When you’re working on a strict budget, it can be incredibly difficult to try and find your own style. It often feels like you’re just going to end up stuck wearing old clothes with no real identity of their own. Luckily, that isn’t the case! Sure, it’s not always simple, but there are plenty of things that you can do to keep your own sense of style while still living within your budget. Here are just a few things that you can try to stay stylish without breaking the bank.

Embrace a minimalist wardrobe

One of the biggest issues that a lot of people have is that they simply have too many clothes in their closet. They end up spending huge amounts of money on clothes, shoes, and accessories that they never actually end up wearing. Instead of doing that, keep your wardrobe limited to a few key items that you can mix and match. The best thing to do is to find brands that stock a lot of versatile items, If you choose things that are as versatile as possible, then you’ll be able to create a whole host of different looks out of just a few specific pieces. By combining different clothes then you can create far more distinctive looks that you might expect.

Know your colours

Do you ever have those moments where you hear someone say something like “Oh, you shouldn’t wear that! You’re an autumn!” and you have absolutely no idea what they’re talking about? Don’t worry; you’re not alone! When people talk like this what they’re actually referring to is the kind of color palette that you should be using that best complements the natural shades of your skin and hair. Winter tones are those with dark eyes and hair whose complexions complement cool undertones, summer tones suit those with cool undertones but with dark eyes and hair, autumn is for those with dark hair and eyes but warm undertones, and spring it (you guessed it!) for those with warm undertones with light hair and eyes. While this might sound a bit confusing the best thing to do is to try out different things, whether it’s outfits or makeup palettes, and see what works.

Choose what fits

Now, the reality is that everyone can and should wear whatever they want, regardless of size, shape, or anything else. If anyone tries to say that someone is too curvy for crop tops or too tall for heels, then they aren’t worth talking to in the first place. That being said, there are certain fits that work better with certain body shapes and getting to know your body shape can be incredibly useful in helping you find your personal style. If you really want your clothes to fit perfectly then, there’s nothing better than getting them tailored. Of course, if you don’t have the time or money for something like that then there are plenty of different styles out there designed to fit certain body shapes perfectly.

Don’t be afraid to thrift

A lot of people turn their noses up at thrift stores, and that’s a real mistake. Sure, you’re going to find your fair share of old, mothball-filled clothes and some things are going to have that classic musty smell. But mixed in with all of that are some real hidden gems that you can get for a fraction of the typical price. Not only that but all you need to do is run them through the washing machine; then you’re never going to know the difference between your thrift shop purchases and the things that you bought full price.

Make do and mend

It really can’t be overstated how much of a valuable skill it is to be able to make and repair your own clothes. We all have that horrible moment where a favorite pair of jeans ends up with a hole in a very unflattering place, you a dress that you’ve always loved starts to fray at the bottom. It turns out that fixing these kinds of things is incredibly easy and you don’t need to be an expert with a needle and thread to sort them out. Not only that but there are websites that allow you to make your own shirt with a personal design. That way you can make your wardrobe a little more personal without having to learn a totally new skill However, if you’re really looking for a challenge then why not start trying to make things of your own from scratch. Whether you’re knitting a scarf or sewing a blouse, the cost of materials is nothing compared to what you’d pay at clothing stores. Not only that but you can end up with something that is unique to your personal styles and tastes.

Be confident

No matter what you wear, there’s one secret to making it look good that is more effective than anything else: confidence! If you can’t rock your style with pride, then you’re never going to be able to make it look good. There are some people out there who are so confident that they could go out in a trash bag and make it look stylish. Make those people your inspiration! Whatever your personal style is, be confident in it, and you’re sure to look fantastic every single day.

The truth is that no one can tell you what your personal style should. It’s the kind of decision that you need to come to yourself. Of course, no one is expecting you to have it figure out right away. Take some time and try different things out. The only way you’ll know what you like is figuring out what you don’t.