Summer’s sneakiest budget buster? Looking the part
Summer has a sneaky way of emptying your wallet.
One minute you’re RSVPing to a backyard barbecue. The next you’re staring down a calendar packed with weddings, patios, bachelor and bachelorette parties, golf tournaments, family reunions, concerts, sporting events and weekend getaways.
And somehow every event seems to come with an unspoken expectation: a new outfit, fresh haircut, updated summer wardrobe, perfect nails, glowing skin, golf shirt, sunglasses or accessories to match.
Before you know it, you’ve spent more money preparing for summer than actually enjoying it. The good news? Looking great doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Here’s how I coach my community to look great this summer without blowing their budget.
Shop your own closet first
Before buying anything new, spend at least an hour with your own wardrobe, grooming or makeup kit and shoe collection.
Pull out dresses, shirts, shorts, golf apparel, workout gear and accessories you haven’t worn in a while. Try new combinations. See what still fits and what simply needs a wash, steam or minor repair.
You might be surprised how many “new” outfits you already own.
The same goes for men. Before buying another golf shirt, pair of shorts or athletic top, take inventory of what you already have. Summer clothing often gets worn for only a few months each year, meaning many items still have plenty of life left in them.
Lay out all the combs, beard waxes, sunscreens, eye liners, bronzers, lip glosses and grooming products you already own. You may discover you have enough to get through the season without buying much of anything. Then group what you know you’ll use this summer into a fresh kit (don’t buy a new bag, use the same one!). If you’re missing something, jot it down.
When you go through what you have, it’s also a great excuse to finally purge the items you no longer wear, the products that are expired or simply don’t suit you anymore.
Borrow, swap and rent
Most summer events don’t require permanent purchases. Instead of buying a dress you’ll wear once, consider borrowing from a friend or organizing a clothing swap. For weddings and special occasions, rental services can provide designer looks for a fraction of the retail price.
Rental options aren’t just for women. Men can rent suits, tuxedos and formal wear for weddings and special events instead of spending hundreds of dollars on something that may sit untouched in a closet afterward.
Don’t overlook neighbourhood Buy Nothing groups and local Facebook Marketplace listings, where summer clothing, sports gear and accessories are often available for a fraction of retail prices.
Be practical with grooming
With most of these services costing well over $80 each nowadays, grooming can quietly become one of the biggest summer budget busters. For women, that might mean nails, waxing, facials and hair appointments. For men, it may be barber visits, beard trims and premium grooming products.
Consider which services truly require a professional and which can be handled at home. Painting your nails, touching up brows, trimming your beard, basic facials and simple manicures are all skills you can learn from a quick online tutorial. Save professional appointments for services where expertise genuinely matters, such as hair colouring or specialized treatments.
Stretching the time between appointments can reduce grooming costs dramatically over the course of a summer without making a noticeable difference in how you look.
Beware the summer sports spending trap
Summer sports can be just as expensive as fashion. Whether it’s taking up golf, pickleball, cycling, running, tennis or recreational leagues, it’s easy to convince yourself that a better game requires new equipment, new shoes, lessons, swankier places to play or a brand-new wardrobe.
In reality, most people already own enough gear to participate fully, or could borrow what they need to try out the sport, before getting fully invested. Before upgrading equipment or buying another branded performance shirt, ask yourself whether you’re improving your experience or simply responding to clever marketing. The most expensive hobby is often the one you’re trying to look the part for before you’ve actually committed to it. The answer may save you hundreds of dollars.
Resist the summer urge to upgrade everything
Pick one or two things to splurge on for your look. Maybe it’s great hair. Maybe it’s a fabulous outfit that you can restyle multiple different ways. Maybe it’s skin care. Maybe it’s golf gear or running shoes you’ll genuinely use all season. You’ll feel and look polished without overspending on a dozen items you can’t afford. Supercharge your splurge by using up points, coupons, store credits, rewards and shopping around for the best prices.
Not that you need anyone’s approval for your look, but most people aren’t paying nearly as much attention to your outfit, shoes, nails, handbag, sunglasses or golf shirt as you think they are. What they notice is whether you’re smiling, relaxed, confident and having a good time. Peace of mind knowing you’re enjoying the season without financing it on a credit card looks good on everyone.
This article was originally published in The Star. Lesley-Anne Scorgie is a Toronto-based personal finance columnist and a freelance contributing columnist for the Star.
