"The start of the new season has me, once again, reevaluating my wardrobe. To some degree, I hope to reach a place where I no longer feel the need to completely reinvent myself each time a new season rolls around, but given the unpredictable trend cycle combined with a consistent stream of newness—not to mention my day job as a professional shopper—that goal can often feel a bit lofty. Luckily, in my years-long practice of sticking to a monthly clothing budget, I’ve managed to pick up a few best practices when it comes to shopping more intentionally.
Don’t get me wrong: The temptation to shop ‘til you drop this time of year is still overwhelmingly hard to resist, but just because I’ve vowed to become a more disciplined shopper doesn’t mean I have to put a stop to buying new entirely. With a conservative spending approach and a catalog of affordable retailers, refreshing my wardrobe on a budget—however daunting and expensive of a task it may seem—is possible. This season, I’ve vowed to spend no more than $300 total on wardrobe updates to my closet—but don’t want to spend that on low-quality fast-fashion. These are the essential, budget-friendly items I’m considering adding to my fall wardrobe while sticking to my budget.
Sweaters
When it comes to my fall wardrobe, I’m probably the most proud of my carefully curated stack of crewnecks. They’ve taken years to source, but not a day goes by that I’m not grateful to my former self for taking the time to build an indispensable rotation of sweaters. But every so often, I do find it necessary to replace a few, whether worn beyond repair (as is inevitable with knits), or out of the realization that my stack could benefit from a new color.
While I value a high-dollar knit, it’s not always feasible to break the bank over a new cardigan. Unlike seasons past, this season’s shaping up to deliver a host of high-quality, budget-friendly knits that have me questioning if I’ll ever go back to their more expensive alternatives.
Jeans
I mean, is it really fall if you’re not wearing your favorite pair of jeans on repeat? However, if you, like me, are starting to notice your denim stretch or bag out, then it’s probably time to throw a new pair into the mix. Fortunately, these days, you don’t need to spend more than $100 for a designer-inspired replacement. This fall, it just so happens that my penchant for affordable denim is backed by a list of our editors’ most-shopped retailers: Abercrombie, Levi’s, and Gap, to name a few. Although, at times, I’m a sucker for a pricier pair, I find that a sub-$100 pair often ends up being my most lived-in.
Boots
Without a doubt, no fall wardrobe is complete without a killer pair of boots. Unfortunately, these often come with an exorbatant price tag—meaning if you’re not careful, you’ll end up spending your entire seasonal budget in one fell swoop. Though I’ve been known to fork over a good portion of my paycheck for a pair of designer knee-highs, this season, I’ve managed to find a round-up of affordable, quality options that rival the more expensive ones. If you’re still a bit apprehensive about spending the money, need I remind you that a versatile pair of boots rarely goes out of style. Should you choose wisely, it’s likely that you won’t be needing a replacement for at least a few seasons.
Tinsley Crisp, Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer
Tinsley Crisp is a Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer at The Everygirl and specializes in reporting on the season’s latest trends and hottest products. As a New York City-based stylist, she’s committed to injecting joy into the art of getting dressed and delivering attainable yet aspirational content to our readers.