Image via Complex Original
Not everyone can be rich in a capitalist society. That's a given. However, being unstylish and poorly-dressed should be a matter of personal preference—not social circumstance. In fact, "you can't buy good taste," has been a mantra of well-dressed folks for ages. Although money certainly helps one accrue a better (and more complete) wardrobe, your financial status shouldn't determine how great you look when you leave the house.
If you cut down on unnecessary purchases, simplify your style, and find your own look, you're well on your way to looking great for less. We're not saying you should give up buying nice things, but your monthly-accumulated credit card debt shouldn't determine how fresh your steez is. Here are 10 Ways to Be Broke and Stylish.
Related: The 10 Purchases to Avoid During Sale Season
Related: 10 Affordable Ways to Upgrade Your Wardrobe
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Focus on Fit, Not Blowing People's Minds
It doesn't cost any more to buy the right size (unless, it's sale season, but that's another story). You'll look a lot more stylish if your clothes fit well. Find your right size. If you have to cop a slim shirt, buy a slim shirt. It's much better to buy a cheaper shirt that fits great, then buy an expensive shirt that is ill-fitting. Plus, clothes that fit spot-on will take more emphasis off what you're wearing, and bring more attention to and your personality (and that's what matters most).
Raid Your Folks' Closet
It's called "heritage" for a reason: the clothes have been around forever. There's a good chance that your dad has an old Filson Mackinaw jacket or pair of Made in USA Levi's sitting in the back of his closet. What he doesn't wear won't be missed. So, just ask your folks if they have any old jackets or denim from "back in the day" that they don't wear anymore. You'd be surprised at what you might find. The best part: you just saved yourself roughly $500 because your dad was fresh-dipped back in '72.
Find Your Style, and Stick to it
If you have a cool look, it doesn't matter how expensive your clothes are. Find your own personal style and stick to it. Maybe a grey pocket tee, chinos, and simple sneakers are definitively you, and that's OK. You won't have to take stupid style risks and spend a bunch of wasted money just finding who "you" really are. Don't be afraid to look cool, but once you find what works: play that record until it skips. Your wallet will thank you, and now, you can focus on the things that really matter, like having fun.
Salute Me Proper With Two Ls Up!
Hey, we're not celebrating or endorsing illegal behavior, but if it works... Look, the Lo-Lifes (a New York City gang who stole racked Polo for sport) were some of the freshest cats in the '90s, and did they pay a single cent for all of that Polo? Probably not. We're not going to go into details, but if you want to be as cool as these guys, you know what you'll have to do.
Ask for Pricey Wardrobe Staples as Gifts
The basis of any stylish guys wardrobe: great staples. A great pair of jeans, boots (or shoes), and a few denim and oxford shirts are all you need. Sometimes these items can be pricey, but they are sure to get the most wear. So, how to obtain these said expensive staples? Ask for them as gifts. Sure, we know it's not super exciting to get a new pair of raw denim or blue and white oxford shirts for the holidays, but you're on the track to become more stylish (for less).
Of course, that Native American-inspired-print shirt is more enticing, but how often will you wear it? Once every three months? Ask for great clothes that you'll wear all the time, and the only bill you have to worry about is from the laundromat.
Sale Season Is Always Right Around the Corner
If you wait long enough, you'll be able to cop the jawnz of your dream. It's the dirty secret of the blogging business, but most of the, "oh my god my mind=blown" clothes end up getting discounted as much as 60 to 70 percent. Surprise! All you have to do is pass on a few items off the dollar menu this week, and you'll look cooler than full-price copping suckers.
Write the Next, "Great American Style Blog"
Companies love to send bloggers (and photographers) free shit in the hopes that they'll write a rave review (or simply snap and upload a few pictures). Here's your in. Now, all you need to do is obtain a few thousand followers on your favorite social network, catch the attention of a PR intern, and you're on the path to free clothes. The only bill you'll pay is to host your domain, and if you don't care about selling your soul, you can be fresh (for free) almost every day.
I'm Gonna Pop Some Tags
You've been there before, it's familiar: the soiled smell, dust that makes you sneeze, and piles of awful clothes. I'm talking about the thrift store. With a little patience (and good luck) anyone can come-up on a thrift store treasure. This method is much like your folks' closet, except the thrift store is a less personal way to score second-hand goods. If you play your cards right, you'll have more Made in USA Brooks Brothers oxford-cloth button-button down shirts, L.L. Bean flannels, and Goodyear-welted shoes than you could possibly ever purchase (at full-price).
Take this advice: the "better" neighborhoods that you thrift in, the better the outcomes usually are. Richer folks tend to give up nicer clothes more frequently, and you can come become the most stylish broke dude around in no time.
Get a Retail Job
Wait, what? Getting a job is a key to being "broke" and stylish? Yes. If you're broke, getting a (low-paying) retail job won't afford you all the clothes you want to buy, but it will keep your fresh. A lot of retail jobs will give you a couple free garments—so you can have a basic company-approved wardrobe—when you start. Plus, you'll most likely receive a discount of 30 percent or more. Some companies even offer 50 percent off a certain amount of items per month, or specifically on sale items. You won't make much scratch, but you'll look cooler than most.
Go For Broke
If all this advice fails, fuck it. Go broke. People give you credit for a reason (normally to buy big-ticket items you can't afford), but maybe that Junya Watanabe cardigan or those En Noir leather sweats are the perfect justification to build up the never-ending pile of debt. Hopefully, the clothes you purchase will attract a new girlfriend (who buys you everything), or the employer that will pay you the big bucks.
