How to Dress for Winter on a Budget

While summer weather usually means wearing inexpensive t-shirts and shorts, buying clothes for winter weather is much more expensive. Buying warm coats, mittens and hats, and accessories such as scarfs and earmuffs will put a dent in your wallet unless you shop wisely.
If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, you will probably need to invest in snow pants, down jackets, and waterproof boots. It can all really add up, but there are some ways you can reduce the expense of buying warm clothes for winter.

Things You'll Need

• Thrift Stores

Instructions

How to Dress for Winter on a Budget

1. Buy clothes in larger sizes for your children and save money. Buy winter outerwear, such as coats, ski pants, and the like, a bit larger than your child's normal size. That way, you can use them the following year and they will still fit. Alternately, you can hand them down to your next child, who may be small enough to fit into the clothes.

2. Trade clothes with a friend. Maybe you need a new hat, and your friend needs a good pair of gloves. See if you can work out a trade. Also, ask at your church or local school. Many school and churches have special "used clothing" days where you can come and trade your winter clothes. These events are usually held in the fall.

3. Share certain heavy winter clothes such as skiing gear, with a friend. Buy one nice ski suit together, and wear it on alternating ski trips. For example, you can wear it one weekend, and your friend can wear it skiing the next.

4. Wear layers. Long-sleeved t-shirts are inexpensive, and can be worn under sweaters. Layer a scarf over your fall jacket for extra added warmth, without having to buy a new winter jacket.
   If you can't afford new winter boots, try an inexpensive pair of rubber galoshes over tennis shoes. They protect against the snow just as well as more expensive, waterproof boots.

5. Visit thrift stores. People, especially children, tend to grow out of winter clothing before they can wear it for more than one season. You might find clothing that is barely used, or even still has a new clothing tag on it. Many times people will donate unwanted Christmas clothing gifts to thrift stores and so these clothes are brand new.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't buy used clothing that is damaged or soiled. It's not worth the money if it won't keep you warm or it requires dry cleaning or a lot of repair to wear.

Resources

• Tips for dressing for winter, from weather.com