How to Dress Smart on a Budget

Finding Big Outfits at Little Prices

By Adam Stokes

Everybody likes to look smart. Whether it’s occasionally or on a regular basis, being dressed head to toe in all your best gear can really make a difference. Many think that dressing smart has to come at a hefty price, however, men and women alike can find cheap smart outfits if they know the right places to look. Below you’ll find all the best places for your shoes, accessories and clothing – online and on the high street – so you’ve got no excuse!

#1 Suits and Dresses

Let’s start from the top shall we. Suits are the peak of men’s fashion, and come in all shapes and sizes these days – from tailored to slim and even skinny fit, depending on the occasion. Though typically quite expensive, there are places where you can find largely discounted suits (for example:suitsmen.co.uk). Women have even more choice when it comes to dresses, with varying different designs available to match any given style – and at a much lower price, too!

Next Clearance – Suits Online

Next’s Clearance section online is a great place to go to find suits at a discounted rate. With many marked down by 50% or more, you can get a great suit for the normal price of the jacket alone. They have a wide range of colours and styles available, and with next day delivery when ordered before 10pm you can be suited and booted quicker than if you went to the store itself! They only have certain sizes left in each suit however, so get scouring!

TK Maxx – Suits on the High Street

If you’re not too tech savvy or simply want to be able to try on your suit before you buy it, then there are fewer places better than TK Maxx for quality and value menswear. With a tonne of designer labels and locations all over London, you can pop into a store and find that perfect suit with ease.

BooHoo.com – Dresses Online

Though there are many places where you can find dresses online, BooHoo.com (guys head to Boohooman.com) offers great prices as well as a large and varied selection. From Casual dresses to Bodycons, Midi’s and LBD’s, there are a huge range of styles that can be made to compliment the smart look. Also, with various discounts often available, you can get them for even cheaper than the original price! Women’s fashion online has never been easier.

George – Dresses on the High Street

Many women might not automatically think of Asda when they think of dress shopping. However, if you’re on a budget while looking for something simple and smart, you can’t go wrong with George. Dresses come from as little as £8 in a range shapes and sizes – including maternity – so you can pick up a sophisticated new outfit along with the weekly food shop.

#2 Shoes

The base of any good outfit is footwear. However, with both men’s and women’s shoes often being quite expensive, we may sometimes feel we need to sacrifice at the feet. Well, not anymore. With an array of options to choose from for cheap footwear, you can now walk the walk, too.

Shoe Zone – Men’s Shoes on the High Street

Shoe Zone is perfect for those looking for good quality, good value shoes. They have various different styles to choose from, including Brogues, Loafers and Occasion footwear, and sizes even reach up to a 13. With the most expensive pairs rarely reaching over £30, you might even leave with more than one pair!

MandMDirect – Men’s Shoes Online

MandMDirect is one of the most popular online fashion stores, and offers the ‘Biggest Brands at the Lowest Prices’ – meaning you can find good value footwear for a fraction of the original price. From Brogues to Slip-Ons and Lace-Ups in an array of sizes and colours, you can find the perfect pair of shoes from as little as £8.99. Best of all, it shows you exactly how much you’re saving on the purchase so you can feel even better about how much is being left in your wallet!

Justfor5Pounds – Women’s Shoes Online

I dare you to find shoes cheaper anywhere else. Though this site sells clothing, bags and accessories too – at just £5, the shoes are by far the biggest bargain. From high heels to platforms, flats, wedges and boots, they have just about every style needed. Whatever the occasion, a cheeky fiver can get you whatever style shoe your heart desires, so get clicking!

Primark – Women’s Shoes on the High Street

If you’d rather try before you buy, then we’ve got you covered. With two huge Primark stores on Oxford Street alone, you haven’t really got an excuse not to pop in. They stock a large variety of different shoes at competitive prices – and if they haven’t got your stock in one store, you can always pop down the road to the other.

#3 Accessories

To finish off any outfit, accessories are key. From belts to bags and coats to cufflinks, men and women both have an array little add-ons available that can make their outfit their own. But where do you go for these accessories on a budget?

ASOS – Men’s Accessories Online

ASOS is a hugely popular clothing site due to its vast and up to date collection at reasonable prices. With a range of accessories, it’s the perfect site to visit if you’re looking to complete your outfit for a few extra quid. With belts, braces, watches, wallets and even collar tips, you can customise your smart budget look in any way you desire – with free delivery worldwide too. Fashion for men, made easy.

Paul Smith Outlet – Men’s Accessories on the High Street

If you’re still looking to accessorise with discounted products but are on a looser budget, then the Paul Smith Outlet in Mayfair may be able to cater for your needs. End of season stock can be found discounted at up to 50%, meaning you can bag a pretty smart pair of handcuffs or a scarf for a fraction of the original price.

Notonthehighstreet.com – Women’s Accessories Online

If you’re looking for something a little different, then your search can end here. Notonthehighstreet.com is home to thousands of unique accessories from less than £2! With bags, belts, handkerchiefs, scarves, sunglasses and more, you can craft yourself a unique look for pocket change. Best of all, most of the gifts can be personalised too, meaning you really will have a unique look.

New Look – Women’s Accessories on the High Street

With its own range of jewellery, as well as blanket wraps and bracelets, New Look offers a budget solution to accessorising in style. With thousands of items to choose from, you can find the look that best suits you, and create that perfect budget smart look with the coins left in your purse. Perfect!

Well, if you ever wondered how to dress smart on a budget, then we hope you don’t anymore. From men’s clothes to women’s accessories and all the footwear in between (men’s and women’s shoes), you’ve now got the best high street and online retailers for all your smart outfit needs. Now you can look and feel your very best, at awesome budget prices.

Check out our Clothes Shopping in London Category for more on cheap clothing throughout the capital, as well as our Deals and Freebies page for a range of the latest offers and discounts!