Trying to stay stylish while living on a student budget is basically the Olympic sport of fashion. You want to look good, but your bank account says, “Let’s not and say we did.” No matter if you’re strutting through the hallways of high school, trying to survive college midterms, or just opened your first checking account to reliably keep track of your money, like Langley's Free Checking Account, here’s the good news: you can slay without paying designer prices.
Here's your cheat code for saving coins and serving couture.
Thrift Stores, A.K.A. Fashion Goldmines
If you’ve never gone thrifting, it’s time to pop some tags (cue Macklemore). Thrift stores, vintage pop-ups, and flea markets are treasure troves for one-of-a-kind pieces—and you’ll still have enough left for boba. Oversized denim jackets? Retro band tees? Y2K jeans? All in the same place. And guess what? They’re usually under $10!
Check out some of our thrifting favs:
- Goodwill | shopgoodwill.com
- Plato’s Closet | platoscloset.com
- Uptown Cheapskate | uptowncheapskate.com
- Clothes Mentor | clothesmentor.com
Master the Art of the Sale
Flash sales. Student discounts. Holiday deals. Sign up for promotional emails (use a spam account if you want to keep your inbox zen) and get ready to pounce. Shopping the clearance section is basically bargain hunting but make it fashion—so when someone compliments your outfit, just smile and whisper, “$7.”
Bonus: Sites like Student Beans and UNiDAYS offer student discounts at major fashion retailers!
From Worn to Wow
Got an old hoodie? Crop it. Boring jeans? Add patches, frays, or bleach. That oversized tee? Time to turn it into a chic tank. You don’t need a design degree—just YouTube, TikTok, and maybe your grandma’s sewing kit to upcycle your way to something totally innovative.
Fast fashion isn’t always the most sustainable route, but resale apps make secondhand shopping way trendier. You can search by brand, size, or style, and even negotiate prices like a pro!
Our go-to places for secondhand treasures:
- DePop | depop.com
- Vinted | vinted.com
- Poshmark | poshmark.com
- Mercari | mercari.com
Budget First, Shop Second
Before you go into spree-mode, let’s talk money. Set a clothing budget, even if it’s as little as $20/month. Track your spending using Langley's Digital Banking App, and challenge yourself to stay under budget. Budgeting might not be glamorous, but the outfits you score because of it? Absolutely are.
Pro tip: Check out the Langley Spend Account, your money, your rules. You can use it for pretty much anything: food, fun, whatever. There are no overdrafts and no stress, so you won’t accidentally spend more than you have. It’s like training wheels for your money, but way cooler!
Final Fit Check
We’re gonna let you in on a little secret: fashion isn’t about spending a ton—it’s about confidence, creativity, and a little bit of financial savvy. Whether you’re going for a ‘clean girl’ aesthetic, channeling your inner goth, or going full cottagecore, you don’t have to drop a bag to look like a million bucks.
So go forth, fashionista. Own that $4 tee and remember: the most important thing you wear is financial wisdom (but a cute pair of pumps never hurts).
Have you tried the CashBack+ Pay App? As a Langley member, you can enjoy access to in-store discounts with brands like Walmart, Target, Burlington, DSW, and more!