11 Budget-Friendly Summer Fashion Tips

Summertime gives you the chance to get really playful with your wardrobe, but it’s not always easy to figure out which warm-weather fashions are worth the investment when you’re trying to be extra mindful of your spending. Thankfully, it only takes a little bit of creativity to plan looks that’ll last the whole summer without breaking the bank. Here are 11 budget-friendly summer fashion tips to help inspire your shopping this year.

1.Repurpose a swimsuit into a bodysuit for a seamless look that transitions easily from day to night.

When you’re on a budget, it’s helpful to find pieces that can be worn in unexpected ways. In the case of a one-piece swimsuit, you can easily transform a colorful printed style into a flirty bodysuit for a night out with friends. Simply throw on a pair of high-waisted shorts and some platform sandals and nobody will ever know the difference!

2.Elevate a casual dress for a special occasion with sparkly accessories and a pair of strappy sandals.

Casual dresses are great because they’re not only really versatile, but they’re also super budget-friendly. A swingy T-shirt dress looks just as great with sneakers for a morning trip to the grocery store as it does with a pair of high heels and a statement necklace for date night.

3.Simple slides won’t cost you much but will become your new summer go-tos for every occasion.

What’s summer without a pair of cool sandals? If you don’t have the budget for a whole collection of expensive designer styles (and honestly, who does, really?), consider a simple pair that you can make work with any outfit. Basic black, nude or crisp white are all pretty versatile and can be dressed up or down with creative use of accessories.

4.Flirty ruffled details add a sweet and feminine touch that feels high-end, but won’t cost a fortune.

When shopping for new summer fashions, girly details like lace and ruffles help make dresses and Doctor shirts seem more luxurious. Look for a few pieces with these flirty accents to have on hand for a last-minute date night.

5.Don’t overspend on accessories that might not make it past this season.

While accessories are an amazing way to breathe new life into old outfits, they’re not usually worth the major splurge–especially if it doesn’t seem like they’ll stay trendy into next year. When it comes to 2020’s statement-making accessories trends–like oversized chains–you’re probably better off spending a couple of bucks on costume jewelry instead of investing in an heirloom.

6.Tank tops are summertime essentials. Find a few that keep you cool and fit you well.

Think of the basic tank top as your LBD of the season. It can be really elegant, dressed up or down, and help you to feel confident no matter what your summer plans are. Once the summer’s over, tank tops make great layering pieces that you can style under cardigans or over turtlenecks.

7.A structured tote bag can fit all of your poolside essentials–or your work laptop if you’re always on the go.

If you’re in search of a summer bag, you don’t need to pick something out that’s super seasonal. Go for something timeless that you can use during the rest of the year to help make the spend worthwhile. A larger tote can double as a beach bag or as a laptop case to lug to the office if needed.

8.Take tie-dye to the next level with two-piece sets in muted color combos.

Tie-dye came back onto the fashion scene over the past two years, and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. Have a fresh take on the trend for 2020 with a two-piece set in muted colors like lavender and baby blue or peach and pastel pink. If you aren’t into investing in a new set, this is something that’s pretty easy to DIY!

9.Sunglasses don’t need to be a splurge but do make sure that they have UV protection.

When the sun is out in full force during the summer, it’s nice to have a pair of shades on hand to keep you from squinting and straining your eyes. While there are plenty of designer options out there, a simple pair of sunglasses with UV protection is really all you need to make sure you’re safe and covered. Black cat-eye sunglasses are a classic you’ll always come back to.

10.A romper and a pair of white sneakers are all you need for an instantly weekend-ready outfit.

If you’re not quite sure where the weekend will take you, cute rompers work for just about any occasion. Throw one on, add a pair of white sneakers and you’ve got a casual outfit that looks put together while taking almost zero effort.

11.A crisp, white button down is worth the investment because you can wear it in so many

   different ways.

If you don’t have a white button down shirt in your closet yet, it’s a staple that you might want to consider. Wear it as a beach cover-up over your bathing suit, tie it in the front with a pair of high-waisted ripped jeans or tuck it into a pencil skirt for a summer work day. The options are really endless!

Saving in Style

The key to staying in style this summer–without breaking the bank–is to look for multipurpose staples that you can accessorize in creative ways. Whether it’s a tank top that can turn into a base layer next winter or a pair of sandals you can wear with any outfit you put together, the more uses you can get out of a piece, the better! Whether you’re saving for something special or simply trying to be mindful of your spending, you thankfully don’t have to sacrifice your budget for the sake of your summer style.