Molly Prior

Summer is here, and for New England, most of us know that we can finally say goodbye to the cold bitter weather, and hello to temperatures above 90 degrees, beach days, and backyard barbeques! For many of us, that translates to breaking out the sundresses, shorts, and bathing suits. Breaking out the summer weather clothes doesn’t always have to mean breaking your budget, though! Between thrift stores, boutiques, and getting creative with your clothes, there are so many ways to save money and be stylish this summer.

The average person spends about two percent a year of their budget on clothing. Although it may not seem like a lot, this can add up overtime. Thrift shopping has become increasingly popular over the years. At retail thrift stores such as Savers and The Goodwill, one can find bargains on high-end brands. According to the Savers website, customers can shop leading brands such as Lilly Pulitzer, Vera Bradley and Nike for as low as $10.

Shopping local is also a great way to find more style for less. Boutique clothing is often locally or family owned, and costs less to produce and buy as a consumer. This can also help stop the trend known as “fast fashion.” Fast fashion is the type of clothing that is normally found in retail brands that is purposely designed to wear out easily and be out of style quickly.

By shopping locally, the waste of materials in fast fashion can be reduced. This will help the environment on many levels. There are a few “shop small” days or “small business Saturdays” throughout the year that have increased awareness to small shopping and boutique shopping, but it can overall be a cheaper alternative. Organic clothing and materials are also on the rise as well, contributing to the overall trend. A few notable boutiques around the Worcester county area are French Twist Boutique, Seed to Seam, and Birch Alley. The other great thing about boutique shopping? You can’t find those clothes anywhere else, so you’ll be completely unique!

Another increasingly popular trend with saving money and clothes shopping is through social media apps such as Poshmark and Stitch Fix. With these apps, users can sell their new or gently used clothes for a lower price. Some people even make their own clothing or accessories and put them up for sale. With the rise of social media, people have also been able to open up their own clothing businesses on Instagram, and advertise their clothing and designs there. This is yet another way to shop more on the local side, as it can be a cheaper alternative and supports local designers and buyers.

With so many different options and new ways to shop small, there are plenty of ways to make this summer the most chic one yet. No matter what you decide to do this summer, there are so many alternative ways to save on style!