'5 shopping "cheat codes" I use to save money on outfits for event season.'

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In news to absolutely no one, party season is expensive.

There's the price of Ubers, the long lunches and dinners out, wedding registries, gifts for hosts, ordering rounds of champagne... and we haven't even factored in the outfits yet.

Ah, the outfits. The real money pit. Because when the invites are rolling in, the temptation is to buy a new *thing* for every event — a special dress, a pair of heels. But that's not only incredibly costly, it's wasteful.

Watch: How early is too early to buy an outfit for an event?

In a recent episode of Mamamia's fashion podcast Nothing To Wear?, Lucinda Pikkat and I shared our best strategies for saving money on outfits during the silly season. And one of Lucinda's hacks genuinely floored me.

Here are the 5 ways we cheat the system and shop smarter when it comes to party dressing.

CC: your bank account.

Tip 1: Buy a set, get double the wear.

What did we wear before matching sets came along? Ah yes, dresses. Lots and lots of dresses.

While statement frocks will always have their place, it's a clever move to invest in a set, because you get one full look as well as two pieces to play with separately — meaning more mileage over event season.

Sets are a shortcut to effortless style, like this linen combo from Rove Byron Bay. I wear the pieces separately for summer days. Image: Supplied.

If you're going this route for party season, look to luxe fabrics like satin and lace, or chic resort prints to elevate your look beyond the everyday (and to avoid looking like you showed up in pyjamas.) Accessories can help with this too; you might want to dial up the glamour with bold sunglasses or a pair of statement earrings.

Some clever brands are now offering complimentary 'outfit sets' you buy in one, like the viral shirt and lace pants combo you might've seen doing the rounds. I'm a big fan, personally. Not only does this tactic make styling easier, it's more cost-effective, too.

Tip 2: Make the most of sale events.

Is it a lucky coincidence that Black Friday and Cyber Monday happen in November, right before the end-of-year celebrations really ramp up? I think not.

It'd be foolish to miss the opportunity to snap up a fashion bargain or three during the biggest sale event of the year, when prices are slashed by huge percentages.

I knew I wanted this Kivari dress for a wedding recently, and waited until it went on sale on The Iconic. No regrets! Image: Supplied.

My advice? Go in with a plan. NEVER click on a sale icon without knowing what you want first, because that can lead to what I call "sale blindness", which almost guarantees you'll add something to your cart that you don't need.

Having a clear idea of the styles or brands you want to shop, and then filtering down by items or designers will make things much smoother, and less financially risky.

Tip 3: 'Gamify' thrifting.

As Lucinda pointed out, op-shopping has become something of a social game in recent years, with creators sharing their best pre-loved finds on their channels.

"Think of it as earning style points or social currency when you mention something is thrifted," Lucinda said.

"This isn't just a niche anymore — it's a cultural trend. And social media has turbocharged it."

Challenge yourself to see if you can create an entire look from pre-loved pieces — yes, including the accessories.

The stigma of thrifted clothes being outdated and moth-eaten is long gone; I can personally attest to the amazing quality and designer gems to be found if you know where to look.

I thrifted this velour shirt for $10, and love dressing it up for more casual events. Image: Supplied.

You can score designer pieces for a fraction of the price — many op shops even sort their racks into sections with the best brands upfront. I once found a brand-new-with-tags Bec & Bridge dress for $80, down from $350, at my local Salvo's.

Tip 4: Share and swap outfits with your friends.

This one might require a dedicated group chat, but it'll be worth it — I promise.

Another genius hack courtesy of Lucinda is to share your special pieces with friends with a similar size and style.

"Start with your close friends and then expand to colleagues or acquaintances," she said.

Fashion commentator Lucinda Pikkat loves loaning her pieces to friends. Image: Instagram/@lucindapikkat.

As for the move that left my jaw on the floor — Lucinda revealed that she and two friends recently split the cost of a three-piece designer outfit. Each of them bought a separate piece, and they take turns wearing the full look to events.

It's the kind of move that requires a whole new level of coordination and trust, but there's something to it. We all know the shine can wear off a party dress once you've worn it, so why not lend it to a pal in exchange for a style of theirs you love?

Make a night out of it and get your girlfriends together to shop each other's closets. It's way more fun than late-night shopping for an event under pressure.

A few ground rules: Luncinda said to be courteous and offer money for the garment if it feels right, always dry-clean after wearing the piece, and return it promptly.

Tip 5: Don't disregard last year's styles.

I know, the pressure to buy something new is STRONG. But that linen maxidress you bought last year isn't dated — it might just need a new approach to make it feel fresh and current.

Small styling upgrades can completely change the feel of a piece and give it new life.

For example, try the trend of tying a scarf around your waist to give a plain dress some shape and interest. Or add sculptural jewellery like a stone pendant necklace and fluid metal cuff.

British content creator Lucy Williams tries the scarf trick over a simple maxi. Image: Instagram/@lucywilliams02.

If you invested in a printed pant-set last summer, can you isolate the pants and pair them with a white tank and chic thongs? Or would the shirt look gorgeous with a wrap skirt?

It's all a matter of perspective. You loved it when you bought it, so try to tap into that feeling again. Your debit card will thank you.

Feature image: Supplied. Author wears a Mon Renn dress (left) and Rove Byron Bay set.