'I'm a fashion writer. Here are 5 surprising ways I save money on clothes.'

Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing I love more than supporting Australian brands and investing in fashion.

What I don’t love, however, is the hefty price tag often associated with doing that.

Working in an industry that encourages me to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and launches has made saving money feel more like a chore than a choice.

And the last twelve months have seen my spending habits skyrocket to a very un-fashionable state.

"It’s your job, you need to spend money and invest in this," I would regularly tell myself as I tried to reason with spending excessive amounts of money on another season’s 'must-have' pieces. 

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With all that considered - and a quick assessment of my bank statements - I set out on a mission to find ways I could finance my "passion for fashion", all while cutting costs. 

From swapping clothing to shopping off-season, here are five ways I save money on clothing.

1. Don't disregard loyalty programs.

Nothing beats opening that email from your favourite brand, detailing that all your loyalty - and cash - has earned you a discount.    

Despite being slightly boring to begin with, investigating which brands offered the best benefits was a guaranteed way to ensure I received the best discounts. 

Although I'm always on the lookout for new brands jumping on the loyalty bandwagon, my favourites for year-round discounts include Forever New, Mimco, Cotton On and Country Road.   

2. Shop off-season.

If you're not across it, shopping "off-season" is buying clothes when they aren't in season. For example, snagging a discounted winter coat in summer. (Something to note, though: if you're buying from international designers, shop in our current season as they're opposite to us).

Even though this is one of my oldest tricks, there was a time when I viewed shopping off-season as tacky. Even somewhat... lame. 

That couldn't be further from the truth.

It's all about doing your research, browsing the web and securing those bargains - I like to think of it as a voluntary side hustle.

To avoid becoming overwhelmed, I suggest tracking the movements of your top four to five brands. 

Following them on social media and subscribing to their mailing list ensures you will never miss a brand milestone, markdown or warehouse sale.

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3. Rent when you can.   

Aside from being sustainably rewarding, renting garments has grown to become one of the easiest and most popular ways to avoid spending hundreds on a fancy occasion.

I was once guilty of feeling as though every event or celebration I attended required a new outfit.

To satisfy my obsession with always wanting something new - and to be able to continue paying rent - a close friend suggested I try renting. 

After being on the renting scene now for roughly six months, I've saved hundreds of dollars already. My go-to platforms are Glam Corner, AirRobe and Rentr.

From my own experiences renting, I suggest only using legitimate platforms and seriously considering cost per wear. 

If I have a busy week of back-to-back events, I opt for pieces I know can mix and match with my own wardrobe. It's all about hiring pieces you do not have, but do not need in the long term.

4. Shop second-hand.

As a frequent Facebook Marketplace user and Depop shopper, I can confirm that purchasing clothing second-hand will save you bucket loads. 

With the number of second-hand marketplaces and consignment stores only increasing - think Poshmark, AirRobe, The Real Real and Vestiaire Collective - the pieces being listed on these platforms are anything but average. 

Some of my cheapest, most stylish bargains have come from thrifting!

Before investing in any second-hand bargains, I always consider material, quality, adaptability, lifespan and functionality. 

If the second-hand item is in poor condition or isn't expected to last, it will be impracticable and difficult to style.

As someone who once looked at a Zara 'sale' sign like a child looks at a Coles mud cake, trust me when I say it is important not to go crazy and buy items purely because of their markdown price. 

Remember: not every item on sale needs to be bought.

5. Engage in clothing swaps.

In an effort to become more sustainable, I participated in my first-ever clothing swap last year.

What started out as my closest girlfriends and I scheduling monthly cheese and wine nights to try on and exchange each other’s clothes, quickly grew into a hobby that saw me attend all-out clothing swap events.

As the name states, these events are all about swapping clothes with other members of the public, who are also looking to give their least-favoured pieces a second life. 

In Australia, clothing-swap groups such as The Clothing Exchange aim to reinforce the age-old message that one person’s trash can be another person’s treasure.

What I like about them is there are no financial transactions involved at all, no buying nor selling - just swapping.

It’s a money-saving, sustainable solution that I still believe is heavily under-hyped.

Phoebe Blogg is a freelance writer and fashion assistant. Follow her on Instagram here.

Feature image: Instagram/@phoebeblogg

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