1. Buy Less. The easiest way to save money on your wardrobe is simply to consume less. Have you ever heard the saying “a penny saved is a penny earned?” It’s true! To “earn” those pennies, practice mindful consumption. That is, before you purchase something ask yourself, “Do I really need this? Would this money be better spent elsewhere? How long do I anticipate keeping/using this item?” You might be surprised at how often the answer is, “Nope, I actually don’t need this!” Cha-ching! Money saved, money earned.

2. Create a clothing budget and stick to it. With a specific amount budgeted for clothing, you can keep your spending in check but still allow yourself to purchase a few new pieces. One way to figure out a realistic budget amount is to look at your spending for the last few months and take an average. If you find you’re consistently going over-budget, it may be time to either increase the budget or re-commit to spending less.

3. Buy classic, rather than trendy, pieces. There are a few classics that never seem to go out of style:. Rather than splurging on the latest trend, buy mostly classic pieces and then use trendy accessories. In this way, you’ll be able to keep and wear those classic items longer, while only having to change out the lesser-expensive trendy accessories.

4. Buy used clothing and shoes. There are fabulous fashion bargains to be had at your local thrift store. Why spend $30 on a shirt at the mall when you can find the same (or similar) one at a thrift store for $5? You just have to be willing to look! As for shoes, we’ve debunked the myth that you shouldn’t buy used shoes. Used shoes can be a great investment and can save you a lot of money. We recently saw a pair of gently used Tom’s high heel wedges at a thrift store for $6.99!

5. Have kids? Buy used clothing and shoes for them, too. Children grow quickly and are notoriously hard on their clothing and shoes, which is why it’s an especially good idea to buy used clothing and shoes for them, too. A brand new children’s outfit (shirt, pants, shoes) can easily cost $90 ($20 shirt, $30 pants, $40 shoes) but the same outfit, when purchased from a thrift store or children’t consignment shop can cost less than $20 ($5 shirt, $5 pants, $10 shoes).

6. Wash less frequently. When you can, spot treat instead of washing the whole garment. Frequent washing and drying wears out the clothing fibers. To make it last, wash it less.

7. Air dry instead of using the dryer. Drying clothing in the dryer is the most expensive part of the laundering process. To save money, consider air drying your clothing. Doing so will not only save you money on your utility bill, but will prevent shrinking of cotton-based items such as t-shirts and blue jeans.

8. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for clothing care. Some clothing items are dry clean only, some are machine washable but in cold water only. Some clothing looks terrible when air dried but is perfect straight from the dryer. Some clothing can withstand a hot iron, while others fabrics will melt if ironed. In most items of clothing there will be a tag with care instructions. Sometimes there are washing symbols instead of words. Learn what they mean! Proper care of your clothing will improve its longevity, which means you won’t have to replace it, which will save you money.

9. Treat stains promptly. Set-in stains are frustrating and have ruined many clothing items for their owners. Try to treat stains promptly so that they don’t set in.

10. Learn how to mend. Being able to sew on a button or mend a hem may mean the difference between keeping and donating a clothing item. Before you toss it into the donate pile, see if you can repair that loose hem or mend that tiny tear. Youtube is a great resource for basic sewing tutorials. Some repairs won’t even require a needle and thread. There are many no-sew products on the market (such as iron-on patches) that will facilitate garment repair without sewing.

11. Resell your gently used items. The resale clothing market is very good here in the US. If you’ve taken good care of your clothing, you can often make a little money back by reselling it. Children’s clothing, too, can be resold or consigned. Some stores will give you a slightly higher percentage if you take in-store credit over cash.

12. Donate your gently used items. This one doesn’t directly save you money, but someone else’s donation might–if you end up buying it! When you donate your gently used clothing, shoes, toys, linens, and housewares, you give someone else the opportunity to save money. Donating your used shoes and clothing to a thrift store or charitable institution is a pay-it-forward way to keep us all saving money!