'9 shopping "cheat codes" I use to save money in my wardrobe, without sacrificing my style.'

We're all feeling the crunch right now thanks to an unstable economy and the rising cost of living, and I get fashion can feel like a frivolous expense.

When blueberries are $9 a punnet, we're all forced to make little lifestyle trade-offs (try telling that to my toddler with her three-punnet-a-week habit).

But as someone whose job is to shop, I'm forever repeating my mantra that good style doesn't have to be expensive.

Speaking of good style, here's what Victoria Latu wore for a recent appearance on our fashion podcast, Nothing To Wear.

Here are 9 ways you can (and should!) be saving money in your wardrobe. Consider them my shopping cheat codes.

Honestly? You're literally wasting cash if you aren't giving these a go.

1. Look on Depop first.

There is a bit of a misconception that Depop is only for Gen Z, and I understand why, given they were the earliest adopters of the platform.

But it's actually become one of the fastest and cheapest ways to get your hands on pre-loved and current-season fashion, and not just for those of us born in the new millennium.

You can search for specific items — for example, 'Alias Mae shoes size 38' — and you might find the exact pair you're looking for at a marked-down price.

But I was surprised to find certain brands I buy from regularly sell their samples and pre-season pieces there at heavily reduced prices.

One of Depop's strengths is the way its sellers are able to curate their collections, like if they specialise in retro sunglasses or specific vintage brands.

It's such an easy and enjoyable shopping experience, and an absolute treasure trove for fashion lovers with a sustainable mindset.

Because keeping clothes in the cycle of wear is not only good for the planet, it's good karma.

Just some of the vintage tees I've scored online and in op-shops. Image: Supplied.

Track down secret discount codes.

Here's a nifty hack I picked up from the queens of shopping on a budget, Two Broke Chicks:

Go to your favourite brand's Instagram page and look at their tagged photos to see if any creators have current discount codes, like 15 per cent off full price styles.

You can also search online to see if brands are offering promotions or discount codes that are still up-to-date. (They might not be, but it pays to check!)

And most retail sites now offer a percentage off first purchase incentive for signing up to their newsletters. You'd be silly not to!

Join Marketplace groups for the brands you love.

Oh, don't tell me you're buying that dress you need for a wedding at the retail boutique before you've checked if it's on Marketplace?

Buy/sell/swap groups are a great hack for tracking down new or lightly-worn items from other fans of your favourite brands, and most Australian labels are represented.

Think: Zimmermann, Scanlan Theodore, Camilla and Marc, Alemais and so many more.

Plus, it's fun and inspiring to join a community of people who share a similar style ethos.

For the IRL experience, head to the outlet stores of your go-to brands — they're the first place I look when I have a special event coming up, like the Zimmermann archive store in Sydney's Alexandria.

Trying on dresses at the IRL Zimmermann outlet store in Sydney. Image: Supplied.

Ask yourself: Do I own it already?

Most of us are guilty of buying the same styles over and over, and that's okay if you're doing it with purpose.

Say you live in blazers and jeans; you'll need a few options to rotate on a daily basis.

But if you're addicted to buying white t-shirts, ask yourself if you really need a new one, or you're just chasing the high of… er, having a new one.

Can you fall back in love with the tees you already own?

Can you treat them to a Napisan spa, give them a steam and wear them like it's the first time again?

Shop the online outlets.

Gone are the days where you could only get discounted designer pieces at a DFO.

Now, savvy fashion brands are listing their previous season styles in online warehouse sales, such as Oroton, Country Road and Zulu & Zephyr.

Many even target fashion customers on Instagram, so look for those outlet pop-ups when you're scrolling.

If you're after a one-stop shop, The Dom rounds up outlet styles from multiple local brands into one convenient digital storefront.

How to op-shop like a pro.

One of my pro tips for getting the most out of your op-shopping experience is to head to the Vinnies or Salvos on the high streets of the boujiest suburbs.

It's where the local folk offload their pre-loved pieces (I've scored some of my best fashion bargains at the op shops in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, and no one is the wiser.)

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Many charity shops sort their pieces with the more desirable styles given priority upfront, so the good stuff goes fast.

Make friends with the retail workers and ask them when they usually restock their racks so you can get in early.

Look for quality where you might not expect it.

A lot of mid-tier brands offer the same styles you can get at Uniqlo or Kmart for massively marked-up prices because of the name attached to the swing-tag.

When I was looking for a knitted cardigan recently, I went straight to Target to see what options they had on offer, and ended up with a merino-wool style for 40 bucks.

I could've paid $300 for a pricier version, but not in this economy.

Pay zero attention to stigma and think about the actual end-use of your clothes. If they're quality pieces that service your wardrobe, who cares where you acquired them?

Listen to the Nothing to Wear pod to learn more pro tips for updating your style on a budget.

Address the 'needs alterations' pile.

There are things in your wardrobe you never wear because you need to get them tailored — yes?

Maybe the hems are too long, or the sleeves don't sit right, so quality items you spent money on just sit there gathering dust. Sad.

Give yourself one extra errand for this weekend and take them to a tailor in bulk.

Yes, it will incur a small spend, and it might take a week or two to get them back, but you'll be so grateful you did it.

Shop consignment stores.

Chanel jewellery heaven at a consignment boutique. Image: Supplied.

If you're looking to invest a bit more in a luxury accessory, like a Gucci handbag or Bottega Veneta shades, see what's available at the consignment boutiques in your city first.

These are where high-end pieces get a second life (the people who sell them get the profits while the stores take a commission) and they're drastically underrated in my humble opinion!

Some have digital storefronts too, like Sydney's Trading In Style.

You should also check out eBay, The RealReal, and Vestiaire Collective to search and bid on the designer pieces you love at discounted prices.

Feature image: Supplied.

Read more of Tam's fashion editor shopping and style advice below:

'This chic new style of sunglasses suits everyone. I found the best $34 pair.'

'I'm all about high-end style on a budget. These 13 editor-approved finds nail the brief.'

Try this outfit formula for your next night out, because the 'going-out top' is done.