Whether you’re shopping only for yourself or outfitting a whole family, shopping for clothing can take a big bite out of your budget. It doesn’t have to, though. With a few smart shopping tips and tricks (and some that involve no shopping at all), you can save money on clothing and still look and feel great in your clothes.

Shop Your Closet 

Rather than clicking ‘add to cart,’  go shopping in your own closet. Set aside an afternoon to go through your entire wardrobe. Evaluate what to keep and what you’re going to swap or donate. After that, start creating outfits by putting your favorites together in new ways. You’ll be surprised at the combinations you can create when you stretch your clothing comfort zone. If it seems like too big a job to tackle alone, ask a friend whose opinion you trust to help — then return the favor for them.

Beware of Fast Fashion

Many clothing chains now specialize in what’s known as ‘fast fashion,’ which means they quickly copy trendy or runway looks and offer them at really low price points. Unfortunately, the quality of these garments is often very low also. So, while buying a $9 pair of jeans or a $12 blazer might seem like a bargain, it won’t feel that way when the fabric looks pilled after the first wearing or the seams come apart after one wash. Plus, the disposable nature of this low-quality clothing is bad for the environment, since a lot of it ends up in landfills after being worn once or twice.

You’re better off paying more for higher quality items that have a longer shelf life — purchased on sale, of course.

Arrange a Clothing Swap

Clothing swaps are steadily gaining in popularity, and for good reason, you get to spend a few hours with friends and rev up your wardrobe for next to nothing. Basically you get a group of friends together, everyone brings clothing and accessories they no longer wear and you shop and trade each other’s items. Clothing swaps are a great option for kids’ clothes, too. Read more about hosting a fun and easy clothing swap here.

Know When to Buy 

Buying clothing on clearance at the end of the season and stashing it away to wear next year is a smart way to save money on clothing. But did you know which day of the week you shop can affect how much you spend? For example, you’ll save more on men’s clothing if you shop for it on Tuesdays, while Thursdays are the right day to shop for handbags. You can see a full rundown of optimal shopping days here.

Care for it Correctly

No matter how much you spend initially, taking good care of your clothing will help it last longer and look better. Always read and follow the instructions on the care label. In fact, check the care label before you buy a garment to be sure you have the time and resources to care for it properly. Instructions such as ‘dry clean only’ or ‘hand wash’ mean a garment may take a little more maintenance to stay looking its best. Factor the cost of this special care into the total price before making a buying decision.

Refresh, Swap or Sell

When you grow tired of a garment, don’t just throw it away. Consider giving it new life by dying it a new color, adding patches, embroidery or different buttons to make it look and feel new again. If you genuinely have no use for it anymore, swap it with a friend, sell it online or donate it.