Do you ever feel like you have to choose between draining your bank account and looking good?
Great news! You can look great and still have a hefty wallet. It is so easy to look at the latest trends and want to hop on the bandwagon, but there are more financially efficient ways to go about looking presentable.
Whether you're looking for casual, sleepwear, trendy, or business attire — you've come to the right place. The following tips will give you all the tools that every man should have in his back pocket, no matter his income.
Affordable & Trendy Websites
If you're the kind of person who wants to be part of the latest trends or even want a distinct wardrobe created specifically for you, then websites like H&M, Zara, and Old Navy are the stores for you.
These stores ask for a pretty penny at times but the prices drop significantly when you jump to the "sale" section of their websites.
If you are looking for an overcoat, which is typically a little pricey, H&M has them for a third of the cost. H&M also has an extensive stock of leisure attire for half the price of most retail stores. Well-made hoodies start at $15.
If you want to wear something a little more striking and avant-garde, Zara has a lot of original and visually pleasing pieces that encourage you to step out of your wardrobe comfort zone. Zara is known for having visually "high-end" looking clothing, but with prices as low as $40 for a pair of robust leather boots or sneakers.
Old Navy has an affordable selection of casual pieces for more of a simple look, without a lot of bells and whistles. Consider these prices:
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T-shirts for $8
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Quarter-zip sweatshirts for $28
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Boxer briefs for $6
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Sweatpants for $15
Gentlemen, that is less than $60 for the bare essentials. Cha-ching!
Thrift Stores
Walk into a thrift store with an open mind. Don't think to yourself that all thrift stores will just have graphic wolf t-shirts, orthopedic shoes, and sweat-stained hats — you may well be surprised at what you find.
Keep in mind, the more well-off the surrounding area is, the nicer the thrift stores will be. In 2022, thrift stores have become a craze with young adults, and for good reason.
Band t-shirts, trucker hats, hoodies, leather jackets, and name-brand shoes can all be found at ridiculously low prices.
It is a goldmine for blazers, button-up shirts, slim dress pants, and loafers. For casual wear, flannels are this market's specialty and thrift stores almost always have a rack dedicated just for them.
Off-Price Retailers
If going to a thrift store isn't your thing, off-price retailer stores are a great alternative. Unlike thrift stores, these stores buy clothing, footwear, and accessories (including cologne!) directly from manufacturers.
Clothing
Department store chains like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross all offer a wide variety of current fashion choices. These stores carry a lot of name-brand clothing, as well as other manufacturers with modest beginnings.
All of these locations carry clothes from Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Zara, American Eagle, Hollister, Under Armour, Levi's, Steve Madden, Spyder, etc. There is consistently an abundance of merchandise, so you are bound to find something you admire with an even more admirable price tag.
Off-price retailers also have a wide array of colognes, grooming kits, jewelry, and accessories that put other stores' prices to shame. While predominant fragrance manufacturers sell products within the $100-$350 range, TJ Maxx has these same colognes but priced down to as little as $20.
You might be on a budget, but you certainly won't smell like it!
Footwear
While Tj Maxx and Marshalls might not be the best for shoes, there are off-price retail stores specializing in footwear — the most notable being DSW. DSW provides big-brand shoe companies for a sliver of the price. Ranging from brands such as Adidas, Sperry, Vans, Asics, New Balance, Fila, Cole Haan, and Steve Madden — they have you covered.
Athletic footwear is easy to find with prices being as low as $30 for a pair of Fila running shoes.
Dress shoes, like a pair of Steve Madden loafers, are also $30. Oxford dress shoes have a median price of $40. Casual footwear has a median price of $50 per pair. Not too shabby.
High-End Affordable Stores
Uniqlo
Uniqlo is a great retail company that's affordable, but also humanitarian. Uniqlo specializes in essentials and basics. Going into the winter of 2022, Uniqlo is selling cotton/polyester t-shirts for as little as $1.90.
Unheard of.
Not only are the basics super inexpensive, but they also have appealing graphic t-shirts. The company seems to enjoy collaborating with Fender, Peanuts, Disney, and many more when it comes to their graphic t-shirts. The best part? Graphic tees are only $7.90 each.
If you're into heat tech wear, this is a great place to shop. Not only does Uniqlo make technically advanced heat wear, but it's — you guessed it — priced just right!
Check out what's priced at $14.90:
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Yarn fleece full-zip-up jackets
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Denim trucker jackets
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Wide-fit jeans
Not only are the basics in the budget, but Uniqlo "exists to improve the lives of our customers and local communities. We create good quality clothing that lasts and is created under practices that prioritize people, planet, and society." Not only will your wallet thank you, but you will also be giving back to the world.
Carhartt
Popular with carpenters and art students alike, Carhartt is a quintessential contemporary workwear company that embraces the rugged side of your attire without spending a ton of your hard-earned cash.
The accessories at Carhartt are a hidden gem. The price of beanies is standard, but for just how heavy-duty they are, it's a steal. They are undoubtedly the best to wear during the winter time and every man should purchase one.
Carhartt's polyester work belts are $12.99 and you won't need to buy another one any time soon. The belts are made for men with blue-collar jobs and they will stand the test of time. Lastly, a pair of thick wool socks are a must if you live in a colder region — and at $12, you can't go wrong.
Nordstrom Rack
Nordstrom Rack carries all the clothes Nordstroms has, but clearance sales are nonstop at the Rack. Whether it's 82 percent off blazers or 57 percent off trousers, Nordstrom Rack is the place to shop if you need to look business casual.
Nordstrom Rack also has great sleepwear options. A Ted Baker London full sleepwear set is marked down by 63 percent; it includes a soft cotton grey shirt paired with a pair of comfy maroon pants with a drawstring waist.
Tuxedos
Face it: There will be moments in your life when you need to look straight-up dapper whether at a wedding, a fancy date, an important job interview, an award ceremony, or attending a theatre performance.
On the other hand, the cost of suits can hurt your wallet, but some websites provide reduced-priced suits.
The median price to just rent a suit is $150. Considering you will get a jacket, vest, trousers, and a shirt, that isn't a necessarily bad price. Luckily, CCO Menswear has suits for a competitive $50. CCO Menswear specializes in full suits, but if that isn't quite your speed, there are other options.
The Black Tux company custom tailors their suits without you having to leave your house! Not only can you figure out your measurements on their website, but shipping (for purchases over $149) is free.
Your suit appears on your doorstep within two to three days and if you don't like how it fits, send it back at no cost. The company is known for its rental policy, but if you're thinking about buying a suit, they do that too.
ASOS also has some chic, striking suit pieces. Of course, certain bold wardrobe pieces aren't for everyone, but if you want to step out of the box, consider this affordable alternative. ASOS sells suit pieces made out of corduroy, velvet, and even sequin materials. This company has nailed slim-fitting and oversized blazers, which make for a unique silhouette.
Watches
If you're like most guys, the price tag on Pitek Philippe, Rolex, Cartier, and Chanel luxury watches just makes them unrealistic to purchase. There are other options, though, which won't break the bank.
Armani
One such alternative is an Armani watch.
In particular, if you're looking for a stainless steel watch, Armani is the company to choose. Although Armani is still considered a luxury company, the price of their watches is considered reasonable.
The price of a luxury watch can range anywhere from $2,000-$700,000 — yikes! An Armani watch, on resale, is generously priced between $70-$150; not a bad bang for your buck. Their analog watches are some of the most refined-looking watches on the market in 2022.
Nixon
Like Armani, Nixon also makes very refined-looking analog watches. As with any watch, however, it is an investment.
Nixon is another company dedicated to providing quality watches with a realistic budget for consumers. Founded in the surf town of Encinitas, CA in 1997, since day one they have made durable, sophisticated, and versatile watches for men of any age.
Specifically, Nixon is the kind of company that makes great gold watches; they complement the gold with reds, greens, and blues on the inside of the case to give your wrist a pop of color. Nixon isn't the brand for loud looks. They offer versatile colors to match your other pieces.
Tissot
Founded in 1853, tucked away in the French and Swiss Jura Mountains, Tissot watches have provided every man with an arrangement of luxury watches with solid engineering. Tissot is the basic of watches; if you don't want anything flashy or ostentatious, then Tissot is a simple watch for simple use.
On the internet, you won't be hard-pressed to find a Tissot luxury watch for less than $100 — on resale, they are even cheaper. Tissot makes an abundance of silver watches, which will mesh well with most clothing pieces. For a more posh look, Tissot sells plenty of rectangular analog watches on eBay for $99.
Wallets
Where will you keep your cash, credit/debit cards, ID, and phone numbers from romantic prospects?
The Herschel Supply Co. sells wallets that look great, but also have an RFID layer that restricts scammers from scanning your credit/debit cards. Most wallets are $50, but Herschel Supply Co. sells theirs for $21.18.
If you prefer your wallet to be the classic black leather style, Steve Madden sells wallets on Amazon for $9.64 — with the RFID layer included!
Suppose you live in a more rural area, where worrying about scammers isn't as much of a concern, Timberland sells a burly slim fold leather wallet for only $19.99.
Finally, if you're a simple guy or have a roughneck job, a sturdy metal minimalist wallet clip will do the trick. On Amazon, a SMILOVII metal wallet clip is a measly $6.99. Don't worry though, the wallet clip is equipped with an RFID layer and the metal layer won't max out your credit cards (with earlier models, credit cards could rub against the metal wallet and accidentally max out people's credit cards) — so you're safe!
Time To Go Shopping
By now you can rest assured: You don't need to spend a ton of money to look and feel like a million bucks.
While the confidence and swag that a good outfit gives you is a bonus, the key is to wear clothing that lets the world know who you are without having to stress about the attached price tag.
At the end of the day, the best accessory to the wardrobe you put together is the smile that comes with knowing you left your money in the bank, and not at the department stores.