Summer is here, and wherever you look, there are ads for the latest new fashions, from shoes to swimwear. If this is making you heave more of a sigh than a cheer, you are not alone. There are plenty of us who would love to blitz the designer stores with every new season, but few of us can afford to do so.
That doesn’t have to mean you are left with whatever is still lying around from last season, however. Here are three easy ways to upgrade your wardrobe on a limited budget.
Embrace technology
The internet is every shopper’s friend. Every year, ecommerce sales increase, and that means good news for consumers. Why? Well, the benefit of ecommerce is that it is all about choice. You have far more sellers to check with, and they are all competing with one another for your business.
You will also find that online specialists like JD Williams have a range that dwarfs anything you might see in a traditional store, with all the big brand labels but at much lower prices. This is because by operating online, they have far lower overheads and can pass these savings on to the end buyer.
Reimagine your old clothes
Just because you don’t want to wear last season’s fashions, it doesn’t automatically follow that you can’t wear last season’s clothes. This is the age of recycling, or as we would prefer to put it, reimagining.
A dose of bleach to an old t-shirt provides an interesting and edgy look that you will love, or you could even try half dip-dying it. What is the worst that could happen? Let your creativity and imagination run riot.

When it comes to reimagining, you don’t have to stop at last year’s summer clothes. How about really pushing the boat out, by giving a summer makeover to your winter wear? If you have a little skill with needle and thread and a bit of creativity, you can remove the sleeves from a winter shirt, add some ruffles or ribbons and turn it into something completely new.
An interesting thing to notice is that some people don’t actually have that much variation in their summer and winter wear. It is possible to stick to a fairly neutral outfit all year round, and then drag it into sharp focus with your choice of accessories.
A shrewd choice of jewellery, footwear, handbag and headgear can make all the difference in defining your look.