Wardrobe Refresh on a Budget ($146.61 to be Exact)

We all go through periods when we have “NOTHING TO WEAR!” That is just a universal truth.

Well, this winter, I experienced that moment enough that I knew it was time to freshen up my closet. First, I thinned out what I had. My rule is to get rid of one item for each new item. I did that, plus some.

Over time, I have created a work uniform of sorts for myself. Loose top, black pants, ankle boots, earrings as an accessory. It makes getting dressed in the morning easy, and I truly feel good in this combination of clothing. I am a little more creative with what I wear in my downtime – but let’s get real – it’s normally jeans or leggings with a cute top or sweatshirt unless something special is going on. Knowing how my style has progressed, I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted and needed to round out my wardrobe.

In 2021 I am trying my best to buy used clothing only, so this shopping spree took place in Cedar Rapids at as many Goodwills as I could find and Style Encore. I feel like the prices are way better at the Goodwills in larger cities and Style Encore has high quality/higher end pieces for prices you cannot beat.

I made a mental checklist of what I was looking for so I could go straight to those sections, be efficient, and not overbuy. I had enough pants, work and casual, so I mostly just needed tops. The goal was to find tops of various styles that were “classic” in color, material, and fit. I also ended up following a color scheme that I could easily mix and match, with many of my finds being neutrals aside from a few pops of color.
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Here is what I got for tops:

​There were a few types of shoes I also knew I needed, and I was able to find the styles I wanted. The black ankle boots are MICHAEL KORS! I was especially excited about that find.

​I also ended up getting a few accessories that went with some of the tops I got:

In total, I spent a whopping $146.61 for ALL OF THIS! I think that is pretty darn reasonable. It was worth every penny because I feel great in everything and love getting dressed in the morning again – that is priceless. I will also feel less guilty when I donate these pieces back into circulation for someone else to love. I am considering doing this wardrobe refresh seasonally (meaning Fall/Winter combined, Spring/Summer combined) if I am financially able, because in addition to inspiring me, I enjoyed a nice day to myself exploring.

When I was looking for clothing, I also drew inspiration from my favorite clay earring maker, Formed Designs. I am a sucker for her pieces – all her designs are just gorgeous. Check her out and sign-up for her newsletter (she often sends out discount codes!).