Guys: How to Dress Well on a Tight Budget

If you’re a man who's ready to add a little style and class to your wardrobe so you can start gaining the right kind of attention, here’s how to dress well without spending a fortune.
Updated October 30, 2016

If you’re a man who wants to be taken seriously by women, business clients, employers, and just about anyone else, dressing nice isn't optional.

Maybe you’ve always worn the same thing and style has never seemed like a very “manly” thing to you. Maybe you just don’t see the point in investing time and money into the way you look.

Well, first it’s important to know that having style as a man has some major advantages.

Men who dress nicely tend to have more confidence, earn respect, and make better first impressions. Plus most women love a sharp-dressed man.

Dressing nicely shows you take care of yourself, and that’s a characteristic people tend to gravitate to.

And the good news is, dressing well doesn’t have to be expensive.

If you know what to look for and where to buy it, you can add a few items to your closet that will really step up your style game immediately.

So if you’re ready to add a little style and class to your wardrobe so you can start gaining the right kind of attention, here’s how to dress well without spending a fortune.

What to look for:

Shirts

Graphic tees are a no-go for respectable men. Instead, go for dress shirts, polos, or almost anything else with a collar. You can also look for well-fitting solid t-shirts (without logos or funny quotes on them).

Shoes

Unless you’re mowing the grass, working out, or doing some other outdoor early-Saturday-morning activity, the old tennis shoes won’t cut it. Having a pair of desert boots and/or leather dress shoes will get you going in the right direction.

Pants

No more faded, ripped, worn, or bleached jeans. Look for dark jeans that actually fit, and steer clear of the baggy look. You’ll also want to add more dress pants and chinos to your wardrobe, and steer clear of the cargo pants and khakis.

Watch

Most grown men own at least one watch. It can improve the overall look of almost any outfit, and it conveys a sense of maturity. You don’t have to spend a fortune either. There are plenty of respectable watches out there for under $50.

One good suit

Ask your dad or any other older gentleman, and they’ll agree: every man should have at least one good suit in his closet. If nothing else, you’re going to eventually have a funeral or wedding to attend, and you need to be prepared and look presentable.

Where to buy:

Second hand stores

Second hand stores like Plato’s Closet might be one of the best places to find quality men’s clothes at extremely reasonable prices. They buy people’s used clothing and resell it at a big discount, and most of these types of stores have high quality standards and only accept good brands. This is where you might want to look for a suit, dress shoes, or your entire wardrobe if you want.

Thrift stores

If you can keep your pride from getting the best of you, thrift stores really can be a great place to find nice men’s clothing for cheap. Look for suits and other men’s dress clothes, as thrift stores tend to have these items at a huge discount (plus people don’t tend to wear suits as often as other clothing items, so they should still be in good shape).

Old Navy and Gap

Old Navy is a respectable store for men’s clothing, and they have some serious bargains. If you live in a rural area where there aren’t many clothing stores for men’s fashion, Old Navy might be the perfect place to start dressing better ASAP.

In the same family as Old Navy, but perhaps a step above on the luxury scale, is Gap. The prices might not be quite as low as Old Navy, but they’re still pretty affordable. Between Old Navy and Gap, you should be able to put together at least a few decent looks.

Target

Never thought of Target as a place to shop for stylish men’s clothes? Hey, if you’re on a tight budget, Target is a great place to find men’s shirts (both collared and t-shirts), jeans, and pants. You can really change up your casual attire and save a ton of money in the process by shopping at Target.

Macy’s

Macy’s is a great place to find suits and other dress items for cheap. You can also find jeans, dress pants, and just about anything else you need to step your style up. They have sales pretty regularly, and there are plenty of Macy’s promo codes here on Dealspotr to help you save even more money.

Nordstrom

Nordstrom is another great place for the style-and-budget-conscious man to shop. They have quality brands, and while it could be considered a little more upscale than Macy’s, you can still find some nice deals. Look for sales on suits, pants (and chinos), sweaters, shoes, and other dress items, and use Nordstrom coupons on Dealspotr to avoid paying full price.

About the Author

Dealspotr

Dealspotr

Dealspotr is the most accurate, trustworthy, and reliable coupon code database. Our community of deal enthusiasts posts the best deals everyday for thousands of retailers, saving you time and money at checkout.