Open up any woman’s magazine and you’ll see that the main article will have something to do with fall fashion. It’s because with the switch of the seasons, we like to see what the trends are for the coming months. The fashion world lives a whole season ahead of us, previewing their spring collections while we’re prepping for blazers and scarves, but it doesn’t matter. The point is that fall is here, which means that it might be time to refresh your wardrobe.

 

Designer duds aren’t exactly part of the average daily budget, but there is still plenty of opportunity to take part of the upcoming trends without watching your bank account dwindle. “Budget” is a term that many, if not most, of us use on a daily basis. We care where our money goes and in most cases, clothes, jewelry, and other accessories seem more like a splurge than a necessity, so it’s best to use our money wisely.

Good news: you can still build a fabulous, fall wardrobe on the cheap. Here are a few tips to get you started:

 

Build off what you already have. Before you think that last year’s clothes can’t work for your new wardrobe, build different outfits off the basics in your closet and add in a few, new pieces to give it the revamp it needs. A fall wardrobe should include a pair of great-fitting jeans, a comfy sweater in a rich color like burgundy or plum, colorful and/or neutral tights to pair with skirts and plenty of accessories. Once you give your closet a good “fall cleaning,” then you can take inventory of what you need to stock up on for your next shopping trip.

Diamonds are a girl’s best friends, but cubic zirconia is sparkly, too. Diamonds are special and can be reserved for the valuable pieces of your jewelry collection like an heirloom or your wedding ring. However, you can still get the bling by picking a few Emitations jewelry dazzlers, which will be just as pretty at a fraction of the cost.

Know your style. It can become quite expensive if you buy into every fall trend that’s available. Pick a few that reflect your own personal style and invest in pieces that you’ll wear beyond just one season. Maybe those floral-printed leggings or dramatic capes seem like a good idea, but if you don’t feel like they represent you, don’t spend your money on them. A few statement pieces, like a good handbag, are more valuable than several, trendy items you’ll barely wear.

Time your shopping sprees around sales. The best way to get a new fall wardrobe on the cheap is to plan ahead. Know when the store sales are happening. Holidays bring discounts as do change of seasons. Look out for semi-annual sales and keep in mind when stores start to transition to spring, some fantastic fall pieces will be available at a discounted price, making it easy to start your wardrobe for next year.

 

Research a good tailor. You can improve your fashion simply by wearing the right size. Sometimes, being on a budget means we’ll settle for sizes that don’t quite fit. Try on all new clothing and walk around a little to test comfort and see how it looks off the rack. If you love it, but it could be taken in or shortened a few inches, then take it to a tailor. This is especially important for staple items, such as jackets and jeans, both of which can and should last for years and years.

 

If the idea of building a fall wardrobe sounds too expensive, buy a few items that fit within your budget. You can find scarves in a variety of colors for inexpensive price points (most are under $10) to spice up a simple tee. Or, if you’re happy with your current clothing selection, invest in a new pair of boots. Ankle boots are still on trend this year and when you get a pair in a neutral color like brown, black or gray, you can wear them with pretty much anything.

Spend an afternoon flipping through some fashion magazines and tear out looks that appeal to you. Build a Pinterest board dedicated to your fall fashion wish list. Once you have found inspiration of what you’re looking for, it’ll be easier to decide on which pieces you can afford and simply have to have for this year’s fall look.