8 Ways To Look Great For Less!

Here comes the newest wave in the fashion industry: 1.) Comfort is critical. 2.) Price and longevity of clothing are more important than ever before.

What does this comfort and price shift look like? And how can you be comfortable and look professional… while being contentious about price, sustainability, and quality?

Comfort

In the past few years, a strong majority of the population has shifted to working from home. What seemed on the surface like a temporary shift likely will have a long-term impact on the way we work moving forward. A lot of experts believe that the pandemic is the catalyst for a movement to more flexible work schedules and environments, including a greater amount of the workforce telecommuting from home (for at least part of their hours).

That’s why retailers have seen a dramatic rise in the sale of sweatpants and comfortable clothes. Work from home clothes that are both comfy without being too casual - so you can still look professional and stay motivated - have become the hottest trend.

But businesses have also seen an increase in the sale of professional tops, since more people are looking for a professional style “for the waist up” on Zoom and other virtual conference calls. We’re not completely diving into our PJs. We just want to feel comfortable and look amazing at the same time.

Working from home gives us the excuse we’ve been looking for to dress up while dressing down.

Price

It’s not news to anyone that most Americans are hunkering down and trying to be more aware of the money they’re spending. Anxious times, lost wages, and an uncertain future mean people are more cautious and price sensitive.

Still, we love shopping for gorgeous clothing pieces. Now more than ever it’s so important to look and feel incredible in the clothes we wear. It’s a confidence boost and a critical aspect of self-love and self-care.

So what can you do to maintain your budget slim while still enjoying “the finer things” (aka fashion) in life?

Here are 8 simple ways to look great for less and feel comfortable in your work from home clothes.

1. Shop secondhand

Consignment stores have become the hottest fashion trend, and for a valid reason. Shopping pre-loved items is just like buying new, except at a fraction of the cost! You can get designer clothes for hundred dollars off. That means you’re getting pieces that are high quality and made to last - without the serious price tag.

Here’s why we love shopping secondhand for work from home clothes with Current Boutique:

• You know you’re getting quality because the pieces made it past our rigorous purchasing process. If the clothes have made it to our shelves, that means they’re the best quality from the best designers with the best longevity. That’s our guarantee!
• Our pieces are gorgeously unique - and increase in value over time. You can find pieces from this season, last season, or ten years ago. We show styles that never go out of style.
• Our pieces are affordable. Shopping consignment means you save up to 70% off the original retail price. Imagine that you can buy the trendiest items for the season (or timeless gems), without cutting deep into your paycheck.
• We offer primarily sustainable clothing. These items already need a home (otherwise they’d be in a landfill), and they’ve proven they can withstand the test of time. So buying pre-loved items saves gorgeous pieces from ending up wasted. Plus, Current Boutique emphasizes eco-friendly clothing materials, like cotton and wool, as well as sustainable sourcing and work practices.

Check out the top 7 websites to shop secondhand designer clothing. You’ll have so much fun browsing pieces that are good for the soul and good for the wallet!

2. Sell secondhand

Want to pick up some extra dough to fund your shopping habits? Clean out your closet, get rid of the items that you never wear or that don’t fit, and sell them back to consignment stores. You can make a decent amount of money to fund new work from home clothes, and you’re helping minimize the textile waste that’s unfortunately rampant in the fashion industry.

How much money you’ll make for your clothes depends on the brand, the original value, the condition, and the season. (Check out these top 15 brands you can make money by reselling to learn more.) But you’re definitely going to make more money than if you threw out your clothes!

Current Boutique offers one of the most competitive payouts in the consignment industry. We help turn your pre-loved gems into cash, so you can fund your next shopping spree. We also make it easy to sell: drop off at one of our store locations, send it in with a pre-paid shipping label, or request a pickup for high-end brands. Sell with us!

(Unfortunately, during the quarantine, we are unable to offer drop-off or mail-in options. But save up your clothes and get them ready to send right when we open up again! Let us know you’re interested in selling clothes, and we’ll send you an email to let you know when we’re accepting mail-ins again.)

3. Invest in cashmere

Cashmere sounds super luxurious - and that’s because it is! But luxury doesn’t automatically mean a huge price tag. You can purchase cashmere on consignment for a lot less than new, and real cashmere will actually grow softer with age. That means purchasing pre-loved cashmere offers quality material that’s softer and comfier - at a fraction of the cost!

I’m obsessed with cashmere for working at home. It’s such a plush and lavish fabric that makes you feel professional and put-together, but it’s still comfortable enough to lounge around in.

Our boutique always offers a wide array of cashmere, from dresses to sweaters to scarves and more. Check out our cashmere offerings to find your perfect work from home clothes!

4. Choose designer work from home clothes

High-end designers produce clothes that are made to last. Although fast fashion items might be cheaper, they also start to fall apart after just a few wears and washes. Designer clothing can last months, years, and sometimes even decades if you take care of it properly. This kind of longevity means that the money you’re spending is going to be put to good use for a long time.

Plus, designer clothing is fashioned to fit and feel incredible. You can’t get that level of quality with fast fashion. So if you want clothes that look and feel gorgeous, designer clothes are your best option. Investing in a few designer pieces can help you gorgeously glow up from the inside out!

We’ve made it totally easy to find professional, comfortable designer clothes with our Polished Professional section. You can find some stunning professional tops for your Zoom meetings or indulge in a new pair of work shoes for the next time you strut into the office.

Again, purchasing designer doesn’t have to be expensive when you shop secondhand!

5. Search for sales and discounts

The quarantine has hit the economy, which means a lot of businesses are holding sales to encourage customers to shop (including Current Boutique!) I’m a sucker for a good deal, so I’ve been loving all of the discounts available from my favorite retail shops.

Some ways to find the best deals”

• Sign up for emails from your favorite stores and brands. They’ll email you any time they have sales or promos going on. Subscribe to our newsletter to get Craving Current discounts and sales delivered right to your inbox!
• Use coupon sites to browse trending deals online. I particularly like RetailMeNot and CouponCabin.
• Google “clothing sales today.” News or fashion brands will typically compile lists that you can browse through.

I also like this month-by-month guide with the best time to buy different items. If you’re not in a rush to shop, you may want to wait until your goods are “out of season” to purchase what you need.

6. Optimize on cash-back

Every penny helps when it comes to saving on your fashion. I like using Honey and Rakuten to get extra money back and find coupons for my online purchases. These are both internet plug-ins that make sure you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck when shopping online (and sometimes in-store too!).

Honey automatically scans to find discount codes for the items in your cart, so you know you’re getting the best price. It will also give you Honey Gold that can be redeemed for cash or goodies (although Rakuten offers more cash back). It also helps you watch a price trend, so you can see if an item is increasing or decreasing in price so you can buy at the best time.

Rakuten also offers coupon codes, but we particularly like the cash back feature. You can get anywhere from 1 to 10+ percent cash back on items you’re already buying, just by activating the plugin. You can even browse their homepage to find double cash back stores and special deals going on. Since 2016, I’ve received over $110 cash back with Rakuten!

Check your credit cards too. Some credit cards, like American Express, will offer additional points or cash back if you shop from small businesses like Current Boutique.

7. Go for versatile outfits

Versatility is the hot topic for 2020. You want a blouse that can look great on a virtual call and feel cozy while you lounge on the couch. You want pants that can go from the office to happy hour to walking the dog. Your shoes should look like flats but feel like slippers.

We’ve always been about clothes that feel just as good as they look. Now, it’s even more widely accepted and loved! What are some outfits that look and feel great and work for just about any occasion?

• T-shirt dress (long or short sleeve)
• White tee shirt, cardigan, black leggings or dark jeans
• Tie-neck blouse with leggings
• Kimono wrap (perfect for home, chilling, or beach)
• Black leggings and fitted T-shirt

You should also check out How To Look Stunning In A Video Call for more outfit options that are perfect for a virtual meeting or date.

No matter what your style is, these versatile outfit pieces are perfect for working from home or in the office.

8. Know what you’re buying.

You want to get quality that you’re paying for. One of the biggest mistakes when it comes to purchasing clothes is not knowing what you’re buying. Some expensive brands sell low quality clothing, and some less expensive brands actually offer the best materials and design.

So before you give a brand your money, know what you’re purchasing. Learn how to buy quality clothing like an expert designer here.

This is especially challenging if you’re shopping online (which we all are right now). How do you know if you’re buying quality items? Do some research into the brand. See what they’re all about and what their mission and values are. Check out some social and review sites to see what people are saying about the brand (but take reviews with a grain of salt, too).

I strive to love every piece in my closet. Knowing where your clothes come from is a huge part of appreciating what you have in your closet. You’ll feel closer to your clothes, which will make you feel more confident when you put them on your body as well.

How do you dress for more with less? How are you dressing comfy yet professional during these changing times?

Shop our hottest, freshest, comfiest designer arrivals for spring here!