How to enhance your wardrobe on a budget

Finn Murdock, Photo Editor and Alex Holt, Staff Writer

As we enter a new year at CHS, the undying discussion of fashion trends emerges once again. There are numerous trends and styles circulating throughout our school. Many people feel obligated to update their wardrobe each year. However, keeping up with short-lived crazes isn’t financially realistic. To combat the far-fetched fashion standards of today's world, here are some ways you can elevate your style without spending a lot of money.

The first thing to consider is thrifting. This one may seem obvious, but many people struggle when entering the second-hand clothing market. An important thing to do before going anywhere is assessing a store’s focus. There are plenty of second-hand stores in Cookeville, but they each have their own specialties. If you are looking for a more vintage feel, Treasures Thrift Store is a good place to start, but if you lean towards more contemporary styles, then Plato's Closet is a better choice.

Remember that it is best to go into thrifting with an idea of what you are looking for. You can always buy things you weren’t expecting, but planning will save you a lot of time. It is also helpful to take an inventory of what you already own to avoid certain impulse purchases. Cleaning out your closet before thrifting will also allow you to donate your old stuff to the stores you visit to clear room for your new acquisitions.

Another way you can expand your aesthetic is modifying your clothes. One nice thing about clothing modifications is that you can use clothes you already own. You also do not need any artistic background to yield good results due to the plethora of easy-to-follow tutorials online. A great mod to start with is painting. Painting any jacket or pair of jeans can instantly turn them into a statement piece.

Beyond painting, there are many other straight forward alterations you can do like distressing your clothing. You can use some sandpaper or scissors to add depth to any type of clothing. You could also do the opposite and add to your clothes with patches or thread work. Clothing modifications are especially appealing due to the vast amount of possibilities and compatibility with anyone's style.

All in all, there are many ways to achieve a style that you enjoy while also staying conscious of what you spend.