4 Ways to Upgrade Your Wardrobe without Breaking the Bank

Do you often find yourself at a loss when trying to put together an outfit? Have you worn out almost everything in your closet save for a few precious items? Are the pieces that make up the bulk of your wardrobe from another era? Whether you’re simply bored of your closet or are transitioning into a new phase in your life, there are countless reasons why you might consider upgrading your wardrobe to better reflect your current style and preferences. However, doing so can be a challenge when you’re trying to save money at the same time. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to revamp your wardrobe without it costing an arm and a leg. Here’s how:

Keep an Eye Out for Sales

We all love a good sale—and malls know it. These sales are your best bet when it comes to finding great bargains on clothes, shoes, and accessories from your favorite stores. They happen periodically, so it’s worth paying attention to when they’re being held. Usually, you can count on the bigger shopping malls to hold sales over the holiday season, though some may also conduct them around the middle of the year.

You can also keep your eyes peeled for sales online on eCommerce platforms such as Zalora, Shopee, or Lazada. There’s almost always something happening on double-dates such as May 5^th (5/5), October 10th (10/10), or November 11^th (11/11), as well as on Lazada’s anniversary date of March 27^th or Shopee’s anniversary date of December 12^th. However, one thing to watch out for when shopping on these dates is how quickly items can go out of stock. Simply saving your potential purchases in your cart isn’t enough! For a faster and smoother transaction, you’ll want to save your Maya virtual card details on these apps and check out as early as you can.

Another great way to save money even when there isn’t a mall-wide sale going on is by keeping an eye out for promos from Maya’s partner merchants. Time it right, and you may be able to receive cash back on your purchases when you scan to pay with Maya at these retail outlets.

Hit Your Local Thrift Stores

Your neighborhood ukay-ukay can be a major lifesaver. It can come in clutch when you’re looking for very specific pieces such as seasonal clothing, outerwear, office essentials, even activewear—all clothes that tend to cost a lot when bought brand new. At an ukay-ukay, you can find all of these items, and if you’re smart about your shopping, you may even find designer-branded pieces that are still in very good condition for cheap.

First-timers might be overwhelmed by the experience, so we recommend taking on a small-scale, indoors ukay-ukay or thrift store before advancing to the bigger outdoor night markets. To make sure that you aren’t spending your hard-earned money on dupes and fakes, always shop with a critical eye.

Finally, always check an item’s condition thoroughly before handing your money over. It might take more patience and perseverance than shopping at your local department store or in a mall boutique, but going to an ukay-ukay can be a rewarding adventure that’s definitely worth your time and effort, especially if you’re on a shoestring budget.

Check Out Online Community Marketplaces

The internet is a treasure trove for bargain hunters, and we’re not just talking about waiting for the next big sale on your favorite eCommerce platform. You can also find great brand-new and secondhand pieces when you use reselling apps like Carousell, or when you join local Facebook buy-and-sell groups. Both can be excellent resources for finding awesome deals on brands that you love, and you can haggle with most sellers until you settle on a price that you’re both happy with, too.

Worried about getting scammed? If you’re not sure about how something will fit, have doubts about the reliability of the seller, or feel hesitant for any reason, just click away. It’s also a good idea to talk to the seller and find out if they have a return policy. Finally, don’t just rely on the pictures. As a buyer, you have the right to be as inquisitive as you need to be about the items you’re eyeing.

Focus on the Essentials When You Shop

By far, the most cost-effective way to upgrade your wardrobe is to do it bit by bit. You don’t have to sink a chunk of change on a new set of clothes all at once; you can just pick up pieces here and there when you have a bit of money to spare. The important thing to remember is to focus on buying what you need first before purchasing trendy items.

Not sure of what you need, exactly? Start by doing a wardrobe audit to pare the contents of your closet down until all that’s left are pieces that you love and see yourself wearing. From here, you can continue building on your capsule wardrobe by supplementing it with new clothes when your budget allows for it.

With Maya, updating your style is easier than ever. In addition to Scan to Pay and the Maya Virtual Card, you can also Pay with Maya at select retail websites, available directly from the app. Additionally, you can use the Maya physical card to pay for your purchases at any store that accepts cards as a payment option. Now, go forth and give yourself that much-needed wardrobe upgrade!