How to look good on a budget

Written by Ruby Lizon-Walker | 1 November 2024

When you look good, you feel good. The only trouble is, new clothes, makeup, accessories, gym memberships, spa treatments, beauty treatments and everything else that helps us look good tend to be pretty expensive. This is especially the case if you’re a fan of luxury brands.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. There are ways to make sure you look great while also keeping your spending down, so you can have a fabulous wardrobe and stay drop-dead gorgeous at all times.

Below, we’ll run through how to look good on a budget and give you tips so you can get way more for way less.

Understanding wants vs needs

If you have a large wardrobe, chances are high that there are items in there you rarely, if at all, wear. In fact, a study found that 29% of women in the UK have clothes in their wardrobe that they’ve never actually worn. There are many reasons why this might be the case, but it shows that there’s a clear divide between wants and needs.

Needs are items of clothing, accessories or makeup that you simply can’t do without. This might be underwear, t-shirts, foundation, or something similar.

Wants are things you can live without, you just really really gotta have them. This could be trendy or luxury items of clothing, a professional pedicure or another bag to add to the collection. It just so happens that these sorts of things are often on the more expensive side too, so can be a hard hit to the wallet.

We also get a big shot of dopamine when we buy things we want, which is not quite the same as the dribble we might get when we buy things we need. But, separating wants and needs is the first step towards looking good on a budget and can help you curb those impulsive purchases.

Social pressure and chasing trends

Social pressure can be a big influence over how you want to look. You might have seen your mate looking great in a new designer top, influencers flashing the latest luxury label without a care in the world, or snaps in magazines and on websites that are encouraging you to reach for that credit card…

Very often, the FOMO is real. It can be a major trigger for impulse buys that leave you feeling a little stuck during the time leading up to payday.

You can still look amazing without the need to chase trends. Think about the sort of things you love to wear and what makes you feel most like yourself. Use the way you look to express who you are. Not only can this be quite liberating, but it can actually save you money by preventing you from constant spending.

If you really can’t step back from trends completely, try to pick and choose. Focus on smaller, more affordable trends, like accessories, so you’re not constantly dropping hundreds on the latest trainers or jeans.

10 tips to help you look good for less

Looking good doesn’t always have to push you into the red. There are plenty of ways to get what you need and save a few quid. Here are 10 tips to give you a little inspiration to make some money-saving changes.

1. Set a budget

We’re starting with something super obvious, but it’s also incredibly important. Before you head out on a shopping spree, set yourself a budget and stick to it

It’s so easy to see something that’s slightly out of budget and just go for it, but if you do this a few times you suddenly have a rather scary-looking bank balance. Make sure you dedicate your budget so it focuses more on your needs and less on your wants.

2. Wait for the sales

Stores regularly hold sales throughout the year, so try to plan your shopping trips to coincide with these.

It could be January, Black Friday, summer… the next sale is usually not too far away. If you can hold out just a little longer, it’s a great way to grab a bargain.

3. Focus on quality over quantity

It’s absolutely fine to have luxury clothes in your wardrobe. In fact, we encourage it! If you focus on quality over quantity, not only will you spend less, you’ll have a tidier wardrobe filled with clothes that will last you a long time.

It’ll also help you forge your own personal style.

Holly Watkins, fashion expert and founder of pre-loved One Scoop Store, says ***‘It’s all about having a few key basics which you can mix and match together - a bit of a capsule wardrobe to make things easier when you are getting ready. Start with a good pair of jeans, (vintage Levis are always great) a couple of cotton t-shirts, one or two wool jumpers, an easy fitting shirt which can be layered, and some black trousers which can be dressed up or down.’***

4. Accesorise

You can breathe new life into your outfit by going hard on accessories.

Things like scarves, belts, costume jewellery and bags can transform your wardrobe and you don’t need to spend a fortune in the process.

Holly knows a thing or two about using accessories to your advantage, saying, **‘Accessories can be really important to elevate your look. Add chunky scarves, a pop of colour from socks or tights and statement jewellery to instantly update your outfit.’**

5. Take care of your clothes

t’s not that you’re six again and spend your days rolling around outside, but it’s important to take care of your clothes so they last.

Pay attention to the instructions on the label about how to wash items properly, dry them thoroughly, store them somewhere dry and steam them if necessary.

6. Don't be afraid to browse charity shops

Charity shops can be a mystical cave of wonders when it comes to finding hidden treasures. Sometimes, charity shops get a reputation for only having old clothes, whereas they’re actually brilliant places to find bargains. You’ll often find diamonds (not literally) hidden away, so next time you go shopping pop in and see what you can find.

Similarly, Facebook Marketplace and other sites or apps where people sell their pre-loved stuff are always worth keeping a close eye on.

When it comes to charity shops, Holly has some sage advice to make sure you get the most out of the experience. *‘Have a list and stick to it. Remember, with second-hand shopping, you might not be able to find exactly what you want immediately, but it’ll be worth the wait to find the perfect piece. Look for good quality fabrics and brands that would normally be out of your budget, that way they tend to last much longer.’*

7.Establish a skincare routine

Looking good isn’t limited to what you wear. If your skin looks good, you usually won’t care about the clothes on your back and you’d feel great wearing an old bin liner.

Establish and maintain a skincare routine that works for you, to help keep those spots, dry patches and blemishes at bay.

8.Learn to sew

You might not be interested in a career as a fashion designer, but basic sewing skills can go a heck of a long way.

It’ll let you replace buttons, repair holes, fix hems or make additions to outfits you might think need a new lease of life.

9. Shop off season

If you’re keen to remain trendy and can stand to only be a little behind the curve, wait for end-of-season sales, when retailers are more likely to offer big discounts so they can make room for the next season.

For example, wait until the end of winter before buying a new coat, as stores start to stock for incoming warmer weather.

10. Use discount codes online at your favourite retailers

Instead of heading into your local town or city centre, it can be far more economical to shop online. Not only do some retailers offer exclusive online discounts, but you can also make additional savings by using discount codes which you can find on sites like ours right here at Savoo.

For example, you can find up-to-date discount codes for Levi's, Next, H&M, Newlook, Dermatica, Ren,

Savoo can help you look good for less

Ready to save money but not compromise on looking good? Browse fashion and health and beauty discount codes to help your money go further.