Are you bored with your wardrobe and want some new outfit choices but your budget is limited? Here’s how to shop your closet and update your wardrobe without spending any money.
HOW TO UPDATE YOUR WARDROBE WITHOUT SPENDING ANY MONEY
Do you ever feel like you have nothing to wear, even though your wardrobe is full? Before you head to the shops or add something to your online basket, take a moment to pause—because you might not need anything new at all.
In fact, you may already have more than enough to feel fresh, looking good and feeling confident. You just need to learn how to shop your own wardrobe first.
As someone who embraces simple living and intentional choices, I’ve found that the real transformation often starts with what you already own – not buying yet more to add to it.
Here’s how to breathe new life into your wardrobe—without spending any money.
WHAT DOES “SHOPPING YOUR CLOSET” ACTUALLY MEAN?
Shopping your closet means taking a fresh look at the clothes you already have and finding new ways to wear them. It’s about getting creative, rediscovering forgotten favourites and curating outfits that suit your life right now.
Rather than chasing trends or buying more, it’s about making better use of what you’ve got—and saving time, money and decision fatigue in the process.
WHY SHOP YOUR CLOSET?
There are some great benefits to shopping your closet. Here are some of the main ones I’ve noticed.
- It saves money – no unnecessary purchases or impulse buys.
- It’s sustainable – fewer new clothes means less waste and impact on the planet.
- It reduces overwhelm – fewer choices and less decision fatigue, but better ones.
- It encourages creativity – you’ll start to see your wardrobe with fresh eyes.
- It aligns with intentional living – choosing to make the most of what you already have.
HOW TO SHOP YOUR CLOSET IN 7 SIMPLE STEPS
If you’re ready to try it for yourself, here’s how to shop your closet in 7 simple steps.
1. Start With A Mini Declutter
Take 20 minutes to pull out anything that’s stained, damaged, doesn’t fit, or you know you won’t wear. You don’t need to do a full wardrobe clear-out—but removing the obvious clutter helps you focus on what you do love.
Tip: Use a simple rule—if you wouldn’t wear it today, put it aside. Shopping your closet isn’t just about decluttering your clothes. You can declutter another time if you don’t feel like doing that today.
2. Revisit Your Basics
Basics are the building blocks of your wardrobe. Think jeans, plain tops, comfy jumpers, leggings, a simple jacket and simple dresses. Lay them out where you can see them. You’ll be surprised how versatile they are when paired differently.
Ask yourself: What do I actually wear most days? Build from there.
3. Try New Combinations
Mix and match pieces you wouldn’t normally wear together. Pair a dress with trainers, layer a jumper over a skirt, or belt a cardigan as a wrap top. Play with proportions, textures, and colours—even if just for fun.
Tip: Take photos of combinations you love—it makes getting dressed easier later! You could save them to your phone or print them out and stick them to the inside of your wardrobe.
4. Use Accessories To Change The Vibe
A scarf, belt, bold earrings or a tucked-in shirt can completely change an outfit. Play with accessories to dress things up or down, depending on your mood or plans.
Accessories are an easy, cost-free way to refresh your look.
5. Challenge Yourself To A No-Buy Outfit Week
Set a fun challenge: create 5–7 outfits using only what you already have. It forces you to get creative and step outside your usual go-to outfits. You might discover new favourites.
Bonus: This helps you identify wardrobe gaps (if any), based on your actual lifestyle.
6. Get Inspired By Magazines, Pinterest Or Instagram
Search terms like “capsule wardrobe outfits” or “neutral style ideas” and recreate similar looks with pieces you own. Often, you’ll realise you already have similar items—you just haven’t styled them that way before.
It sometimes helps to get ideas from others, especially the experts!
7. Reorganise For Visibility
Place items you want to wear more often where you’ll see them—on a rail, hook, or front of your wardrobe. We tend to wear what’s most accessible, so make it easier to choose the pieces you love.
I notice that I choose to wear things more when they’re hung up in my wardrobe instead of folded in drawers. I think I tend to reach for clothes quickly in the morning so it’s easier to quickly see, choose and pull out clothes that are right in front of me. Do you do the same? Try it and see!
MY OWN SIMPLE WARDROBE RESET
A while back, I felt bored with my clothes but we’re trying to reduce our spending so I had to look for other ways to revamp my wardrobe without spending money. In fact, that’s what inspired this article!
Instead of shopping, I set myself a no-buy challenge and decided to mix up my outfits using just what I had.
I rediscovered an old denim jacket I hadn’t worn in ages, paired it with a simple black T-shirt and black trousers—and it instantly became a new favourite look. A week of outfit experimenting showed me I didn’t need anything new. I just needed a fresh perspective.
CONCLUSION
If you’re reading this and thinking about how to shop your own closet you may well be realising that you already have more than you think!
Shopping your closet isn’t about restriction—it’s about resourcefulness and it’s actually quite fun once you get started, even for someone like me who’s not particularly fashion or clothes conscious.
I actually enjoyed the creative challenge and seeing just how many outfits I could put together (and that I’d be happy wearing), rather than because I was trying to be super trendy! I’ll leave that to my teenagers!
But, I hope this is a gentle reminder that if clothes ARE important to you but your budget is limited, you CAN feel put-together and stylish with less.
And the more you do it, the easier it becomes to buy with intention, knowing what you actually wear and love.
Before you buy something new this season, try shopping your wardrobe first. You might be surprised at what’s already waiting for you!
Have you ever tried shopping your closet? How did you get on? I’d love to hear from you so please leave a comment at the end of the article.
HOW TO SHOP YOUR CLOSET FAQS
Here are some common questions around shopping your closet just in case you were wondering about them too.
1. Is Shopping Your Wardrobe The Same As Creating A Capsule Wardrobe?
Not exactly, but they go hand in hand. Shopping your wardrobe is a great first step towards a capsule wardrobe, helping you focus on what you love and wear often.
Further Reading: 12 Capsule Wardrobe Tips: A Simple Wardrobe Made Easy
2. What If I Really Don’t Like Most Of My Clothes?
Start with what does feel good, even if it’s just one piece. Build outfits around that and observe what makes you feel comfortable and confident. Over time, you’ll develop a clearer sense of your personal style.
Further Reading: How a Personal Daily Uniform Can Simplify Your Life
3. How Often Should I Shop My Wardrobe?
You can do it seasonally, monthly, or whenever you feel stuck in a style rut. It’s a great way to reset your perspective without spending money.
Further Reading: How to Do a Seasonal Clothing Declutter
READY TO SIMPLIFY YOUR WARDROBE?
If you’d like help creating a simple, clutter-free wardrobe that feels like you, check out my Simplify Your Wardrobe Workbook – it’s full of practical tips, question prompts and exercises to make the process easier (and more fun!).
Click here to learn more about Simplify Your Wardrobe.
Here are some more articles on decluttering clothes and simplifying your wardrobe which you might enjoy:
- 15 Ways to Purge Your Closet Quickly Without Overthinking
- 15 Easy Ways to Save Money When Buying Clothes
- 11 Things That Make Your Closet Look Cluttered (And How to Fix Them)
- How to Stop Buying Clothes You Don’t Need
GET YOUR FREE WARDROBE DECLUTTER CHECKLIST
Earlier in the article I mentioned that shopping your closet isn’t necessarily about decluttering your clothes. In fact, depending on the amount of clothes you have, it’s highly likely that doing both at the same time might be very overwhelming!
However, if you’d like to declutter your clothes then you might find my free Wardrobe Declutter Checklist helpful to guide you in the process.
Pop your details in the box below so I know where to send it.
Antonia Colins is the creator of Balance Through Simplicity, a website helping busy people declutter their home and life and live more intentionally. She has over 20 years of personal and professional experience in juggling work and family life and supporting individuals to remain independent and enjoy their home more. In her spare time, you can find Antonia walking, reading or planning her next travel adventure! She lives in the UK with her husband and teenage kids. Get your free Declutter Starter Kit.