Now that Groundhog’s Day is past and we’re all aware that Punxsutawney Phil did NOT see his shadow, we can rejoice in the fact that spring is indeed on it’s way. With some of the weather we’ve been having here lately, it may come sooner than our wardrobe is ready for. Pretty soon the tulips and daffodils will be making their appearance, and spring will be in the air. As the weather gets warmer, it’s the perfect time to start thinking about updating your spring wardrobe. Spring clothing is out and hitting the racks and shelves everywhere. Time to say goodbye to multi-layering sweaters and boots over jeans. Spring is the time to welcome cheerful color combos, seasonal prints, and lightweight flowy fabrics.

Several weeks ago, I did a blog post titled Great Style Has No Age. That post talks about 6 Elements to great style. One of those elements is, “Plan Your Wardrobe”, and another one is, “Shopping to Your Plan”. All the elements in that post compliment the tips I am about to share. However, to get the full effect, you will want to read those two elements in particular. The links are inserted below in the appropriate places where it would be most beneficial to read them.

With all the expenses that we have, most peoples budget cannot afford the luxury of splurging on an entirely brand new and seasonably appropriate wardrobe. This means we have to get creative and make the most of our resources. You don’t have to drop a ton of money to look great! Keep reading for the five top tips for updating your spring wardrobe without going broke.

1. Assess Your Current Wardrobe First  It’s time to gather your spring pieces out of the back crevices of your closet to update your look with a fresh start. But before you spend a single dollar on new pieces for your wardrobe, take a close look at whats already in your closet. You might be surprised how easily you can re-purpose fall and winter items for springtime. Pair your favorite trousers with a cute spring top, a skinny belt and some strappy sandals for instant springtime fashion, or pair that lightweight sweater dress with brightly-colored sheer leggings and pretty pumps to bring your older pieces into seasonal style. While you’re doing this, it’s a great time to multi-task and get rid of items that no longer fit or ones you have not worn in the past couple spring seasons. Fold those items up and store them in a box to donate. If you are planning on having a garage sale this year, this is a great time to price each item before you box it up. when the time comes to have your sale, you will be so thankful that you did this step. Doing this costs you no extra time. Always think in ways to multi-task. As a bonus, you can use this wardrobe assessment time to pack away fall and winter items and free up more space in your closet for a few new items.

2. Buy A Few Key Pieces To Mix and Match  Click here and read #5 + #6, before preceding. Now that you’ve gone through your current wardrobe to figure out what you already have (and what you still need), it’s time to get that wish list going. Keep in mind that you don’t need to purchase an entire new wardrobe every time the seasons change. Adding a few key pieces to your wardrobe is all you need to show off your favorite spring looks! Choose pieces you can easily mix-and-match to create several different outfits without spending a fortune. It’s always better if you can find pieces to spruce up clothing items you already own! Choose a flirty skirt in a color that works with several different tops or a cute pair of heels that can transition from jeans to skirts flawlessly.

3. Don’t Forget The Accessories  One of the quickest and funnest ways to spruce up your spring wardrobe is to accessorize. Accessories like a fun, trendy hat, sunglasses and a stylish handbag can add a touch of spring to just about any outfit, and can be much cheaper than buying an all-new outfit. Inexpensive, trendy jewelry and the right shoes can also help tie your spring look together without breaking the bank.

4. Watch for Spring and Summer Sales   Of course the number one rule of updating your wardrobe on a budget is to seek out those fabulous spring sales that pop up when the weather gets warmer. Spring sales that start in March are usually headed for close-out discounts as early as April, and you can sometimes find savings as low as 75 percent or more. Put yourself on the email list of your favorite stores, so you’ll be among the first to hear when new sales hit the scene, and you can get there early before the crowds have had a chance to pick through everything on the racks. End-of-season sales are also a great time to stock up for next year’s wardrobe. But make sure you really evaluate end-of-season pieces. If it’s too trendy, it may not be the best choice. It’s not a savings, if you are never going to wear the item.

5. Only Buy Pieces You Truly Love This is probably the BEST tip for saving money. Just because that floral top is marked down 70 percent doesn’t mean you need to buy it, at least not unless you really, truly LOVE it. Budget-minded shoppers often make the mistake of feeling like they can’t pass up a good sale, but spending any amount of money on something you don’t LOVE is wasteful spending. When You’re out shopping for new pieces to add to your spring wardrobe, feel free to skip past anything that you don’t love. A good rule of thumb is to never buy something you wouldn’t pay full price for. What generally works for me is if I am on the fence about a particular item, I probably don’t truly LOVE it. Therefore I won’t purchase it. However, if I keep thinking about that piece as I continue my shopping, I may go back and re-access it. This is when your wish list comes in handy. If your on a ‘tight’ budget, you shouldn’t be looking at pieces that aren’t on that list in the first place.

I hope you found this post to be helpful. Feel free to share any tips you may have when it comes to updating your wardrobe from season-to-season.

Dress: Free People  |  Boots: here   |  Handbag: Target  |  Necklace:  Target  |  Bracelet: Target  | Nailpolish: Ciate’ Brooklyn  |  Lipstick: Mac Rebel  |  Lipliner: Palladio in Raisin