Style Guide: How to Look Good on a Budget for Men

While some who shop luxury brands may tell you it’s worth the price difference, few can actually spot the differences between a jacket that cost $50 or $500. Designer pieces come with ridiculous markups that you don’t need to look or feel good.

Looking good on a budget doesn’t just mean picking the cheapest options out there or compromising great style. It’s more about creating a curated, complete wardrobe with neutral colors and quality fabrics that look fantastic in any combination.

Focus on selecting timeless, classic items that are made to last rather than cheap goods that will only last one season. Furthermore, don’t assume that something expensive is high-quality. Skip the overblown prices and follow our guide on where men should save vs splurge when it comes to looking good on a budget.

1. Choose Quality Staples

If you want to look like you dress expensively while on a budget you need to choose quality staples for a capsule wardrobe. The theory behind this type of buying is that you only purchase thoughtfully selected interchangeable items so that you can create the most amount of outfits with the least amount of clothing pieces.

This mindset allows you to purchase clothes that may cost a little bit more than the cheaply made items you often find at fast fashion bargain retailers but will last you for many years to come.

Staple Pieces

The base of any capsule wardrobe are a handful of must-have staples. To start your shopping journey, check out these well-made, always-in-style options to build multiple outfits.

A Blazer: H&M

H&M offers a fantastic selection of stylish blazers that are still well crafted at much lower prices than a designer brand. Pick a blue or brown option and a grey or black option to have a jacket to match every color scheme.

Two to Four Neutral Shirts: Uniqlo

Uniqlo is an inexpensive brand from Japan that offers outfit staples at reasonable prices. Check out their wide variety of t-shirts, like the U Knitted Short Sleeve T-shirt for a boxy cut or the Supima® Cotton V-Neck Short-Sleeve T-Shirt for a more fitted style.

One Pair of Dark Wash Jeans: Levi

Pick a pair of dark jeans that you can wear with any combination of jacket or shirt. Avoid pants with patterns and stick with something simple so that they’re not hard to pair with.

A tried and true pair of jeans are the classic Levi 501® Original Fit Men’s Jeans. While these jeans cost around $100 dollars, they're worth the splurge due to their fantastic craftsmanship.

Classic Pair of Shades: WMP Eyewear

Accessories are the key to making outfits pop in a capsule wardrobe. Opt for quality sunglasses at reasonable prices from WMP Eyewear. A single bridge aviator style like Emerson provides a modern twist on an iconic style.

For a sleek yet simp,e pair of sunglasses, Wesley offers four modest color options that can pair with practically any outfit. WMP Eyewear sunglasses are so affordable that you could grab two pairs for less than one designer pair of shades.

Best Fabric Choices for Staples

The best fabric choices for staples are cotton, linen, bamboo blend, or twill, all of which can be worn multiple times without washing. Since you’ll have a smaller selection of pieces in a capsule wardrobe, you want them to last through the work week and into the weekend.

Opt for Neutrals

Neutral colors work best in a capsule wardrobe. You want to mix and match as much as possible to ensure you can get the maximum outfits with the minimum number of products. 

That being said, it’s okay to purchase one or two lower-priced items like shirts (which you have to buy more of anyway) that may have a unique pattern. If you buy shirts with patterns, you'll want to make sure that you have neutral pants and jackets to wear them with.

2. Take Care of the Clothes You Already Have

Instead of buying new clothes, take the time to invest in the clothes already in your closet.

Iron Your Clothes

The best time to iron your clothes is immediately after washing them. They may be a little bit wet from the wash, making them easier to iron or steam, and then they’ll be ready to wear whenever you need them.

Lint Roller and Great Detergent

Purchase a high-quality reusable lint roller so you’re not wasting money on disposable ones. This ensures you’ll always want to wear your capsule wardrobe because you can clean lint or pet hair off easily.

Purchase a great detergent to wash your clothes in so they last longer. Only wash clothes after every few wears in cool water as washing clothes often in hot water wears them out faster. For example, jeans should only be washed after 10 wears. Pick a well-rated, gentle detergent and wash in cold water to get the most life out of your staples.

3. Shop from Smaller Brands

Designer brands mark up their clothes and accessories at least 55 to 62%, meaning you’re spending more money on a product simply because it’s a recognizable name. To save money and get a product that’s better quality, shop small brands that use better materials.

For clothes, check out Bylt Basics or Cuts Clothing, both offering affordable basics that you can add to your capsule wardrobe.

For shoes, look through Nisolo’s sustainably-made footwear. They use quality materials made in factories with ethical labor practices.

For accessories, take a look at WMP Eyewear. The brand's sunglasses and jewelry are expertly crafted and don’t have a high markup. They even donate a portion of their sales to the Arizona Humane Society.

4. Accessories Are Cheap and Can Be Worn Daily

Since you’ll have fewer clothing options when creating a wardrobe on a budget, you can utilize accessories to change up your outfits. You don’t have to pay extra for expensive, sophisticated brands that can cost thousands of dollars.

Instead, look for a durable pair of sunglasses or minimalist jewelry pieces to make every outfit pop and show off your personal style.

A Great Pair of Sunglasses

Sunglasses not only add to every outfit but the right ones also protect your eyes from harmful UV rays that diminish your eyesight over time. For 100% UVA/UVB protection, purchase a pair like Abner, which offers a modern look with transparent frames.

For a polarized option, Nick features a retro square frame with unique tortoise-tipped arms. With five neutral color options, you’ll find the perfect one to fit with your wardrobe.

If you want some a little less standard, then Emerson offers a slightly different take on aviators with its square frame and single nose bridge.

Minimalistic Simple Gold Jewelry for Men

A simple gold chain that’s plain or with a pendant makes a great statement necklace that can be worn casually or for formal occasions. For an option under $50 dollars, WMP Eyewear’s Arlo pendant in black or green offers a beautiful geometric rectangular pendant with a beveled border suspended on a rolo box chain.

If you have a bit more room in your budget, take a look at Jaxxon’s elegant collection of chains, bracelets, and rings, made for men. Jaxxon has been called “the Tiffany & Co. for men” with tons of different styles to choose from.

5. Remember Your Footwear Can Make or Break an Outfit

While on the hunt for clothes, don’t forget about shoes! Look for high-quality materials like leather or suede that will last a long time when well taken care of.

Also, consider the weather where you live. If it rains a lot, look for a sturdy pair of boots that offer water protection.

Own One Athletic Pair and One Going Out Pair

To start, you should own at least one athletic pair and one going out pair. Pick an athletic pair that corresponds with the activity you love doing and the environment you live in. For example, if you’re a trail runner in Oregon, it’s worthwhile to grab a pair of Gore-Tex running shoes, like the Nike Pegasus Trail 4 GORE-TEX.

Pick one pair of shoes to go out in. Ideally, it’s a clean, comfortable pair that you can wear for work and dinner after. A solid pair of all-weather Chelsea boots are perfect for all different types of terrain and occasions.

6. Focus on Being Well-Groomed First

Nothing is going to look good on a budget if you aren’t taking care of other parts of your appearance.

Create a regular grooming routine, including investing in quality razors that don’t cause razor burn, clipping your nails, and trimming nose hairs. Aim to get a haircut or trim every 4 - 6 weeks, or buy some clippers to do it yourself.

A basic skincare routine is also important. Look for products like cleanser, toner and moisturizer that have simple yet quality ingredients, and of course, use sunscreen when going out to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Cocokind is a great option for quality skincare products without the massive markup.

Last, find a light cologne that you enjoy so that you always smell fresh. If you're not sure which scent to go for, try a subscription box like ScentBird which allows you to try out sample sizes of designer fragrances for a low monthly fee.

FAQ

What Makes Clothes Look Expensive?

Custom fabrics, quality tailoring, and unique cuts all make clothes look expensive. To mimic expensive clothing, take care of your clothes. Always wash and iron them as needed, as well as store away properly. Designer clothes tend to be neutral colors, so purchasing clothes in neutrals will make your budget wardrobe look more high end.

How Do You Look Classy on a Low Budget?

Look classy on a low budget by wearing neutral colors. Layer as much as possible to give more texture to your outfits. Add accessories like sunglasses and necklaces to give your outfits a sophisticated edge.

What Are the Best Brands to Shop at on a Low Budget?

The best brands to shop at on a low budget are H&M, Uniqlo, Bylt Basics, and Cut Clothing for clothes. The best accessory brands to shop at on a low budget are WMP Eyewear and Jaxxon. It’s always going to be hard to find budget shoes that feel good on your feet, so it’s okay to splurge more here to ensure your shoes alleviate pain and prevent foot problems. If you want to save, look for activewear factory stores, like Nike Factory Outlet, New Balance Factory Store, or the Addidas Outlet Store. For everyday shoes, check out brands like Nisolo (who have sales fairly regularly) or Rothy’s.