Image via Complex Original
New York City is an expensive city to live in (rent alone can eat up half of your paycheck). But your personal style doesn't have to (and shouldn't have to) suffer. Take it from us, there are ways to work around that.
We're not saying you should stop buying nice or expensive gear, but remember that style isn't always about how much that shirt or jacket cost you. Finding gems at a thrift store or copping from samples sales work just as well. And if you really just can't afford to buy anything new right now, figuring out multiples outfits with pieces you already have can go a long way. You can still stunt on all your friends and only have $5 in your wallet. See what we mean in this breakdown of How to Broke and Stylish in New York City.
Don't underestimate good thrift stores.
Thrift shops are dusty, dirty, and have that weird soiled smell. But don't let that discourage you from stepping foot in one. With a little patience, you can find amazing things like, Barbour waxed jackets and throwback sportswear, both of which are better vintage, anyway.
A word of advice: Try to find out when the store puts out new merchandise on the floor, and try not to go to the same location most people go to. It'll increase your chances of finding the good stuff.
Learn how to fix tears, sew buttons, etc.
Most guys don't know shit about sewing or fixing tears. Understandable, but trust us, this will save you money. Tailors aren't cheap. And this way, you won't have to buy new clothes every single time a button falls off, or the seam rips. And it's as easy as finding a tutorial video on YouTube.
Not to mention, you get to keep the clothes you (probably) didn't want to throw out anyway.
Do your own laundry.
It's easy to rack up a pretty big dry cleaning bill. Doing your own laundry will only cost you $2 (depending on how many loads you do). Doesn't get much simpler than that. So why not take advantage of all the laundromats in the city? If you want, you could even wash your own clothes at home.
Wait for sample sales.
Never underestimate a good sample sale, and there are tons of those in New York City. Lines are long, sure, but if you're patient enough you can actually score designer gear for half the price, sometimes more. It's a good idea to check websites like Racked NY and The Choosy Beggar to stay on top of sample sale dates, and to get information on prices, stock, and wait time.
Take advantage of the cheaper tax in New Jersey.
While not all your favorite shops may be out in Jersey, there are a bunch that have outposts out there. So, whenever you can, try to head out there to do some shopping to save some cash. If you can't be bothered, get a friend who lives there to shop for you.
Get a retail job.
Working in retail is tough, so thank God for employee discounts. You can cop all the stuff you're (probably) going to get anyway, but at much lower prices. The important thing here is to work at a store you actually shop at, so that you can take full advantage of that discount. It might also be worth taking note of which shops offer their staff more than 10 percent off.
Eat well, but eat cheap.
New York City has amazing food, and the best part is, you don't have to go to a Michelin star awarded restaurant to eat well. There are tons of options, from the small (sometimes sketchy, but great) spots in Chinatown to food trucks. The money you save can go towards copping those designer sneakers you've been eyeing.
Figure out different outfits using the same pieces.
The truth is, you don't need three closets worth of clothes to be "stylish." All you really need are basics and a few statement pieces you can mix and match. Jeans can be repeated, shirts and sweatshirts can be worn differently. You can even throw on a hat to switch it up a bit. It's possible to have a week's worth of outfits with just a few items. The key is to just have more fun and be more creative when putting your 'fits together. Take some inspiration from some NYC street style or even from your celebrity style icons—just make sure it's not to the point of mimicry.
Invest wisely.
Not all things are worth spending hundreds of dollars on. You have to shop wisely, and really decide what you should be investing your hard-earned money in. T-shirts, socks, and other items you know you'll replace in a few months can be bought from H&M or Uniqlo, where prices are often more affordable. Only invest in clothes that you know you can still wear years from now, and ones that only get better with more wear, like, say, leather jackets.
Brush up on these life hacks.
There are life hacks for just about anything, including ones that will make you more stylish, and they require little to no money. Here's a good example: If you're knit sweater is already pilling, use a shaver to get rid of it instead of buying a new one altogether.
