6 Ways to Dress Hybrid on a Budget

The aftermath of the pandemic saw significant changes around the world, including how we dress for work. So many of us were forced to work from home - swapping our blazers for dressing gowns – before realising that (on return to the office) our office clothes weren’t what we were after anymore.

Slowly but surely, hybrid fashion began to take over the workplace. So, what is hybrid fashion, and how can you dress hybrid on a budget? Read on to find out!

What is hybrid dressing?

When we finally returned to the office, we were met with pants that were a little too tight, shirts with scratchy collars and stiff blazers (that were nowhere near as warm as our dressing gowns!). It quickly became apparent that the ‘old’ way of dressing for work wasn’t going to be enough anymore. Because of this, the act of hybrid dressing began steadily gaining momentum.

Hybrid fashion and hybrid dressing refers to versatile pieces of clothing that are designed to be worn every day and can be used for multiple occasions, which, therefore, allows the consumer to buy less. Unfortunately, due to the quality of materials, these hybrid pieces often come at a higher price tag that many can’t afford.

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to dress hybrid on a budget.

Dressing hybrid on a budget

The fast fashion cycle continues to turn despite more of us becoming educated on fast fashion and the damage it does to the environment. Slow fashion is out of reach for many of us due to the price tag, meaning we’re forced to invest in fast fashion. Luckily, there are ways to dress hybrid when you’re on a budget, meaning you’re more comfortable at work AND not contributing to fast fashion.  

Know your workplace

First thing’s first – you have to know and understand your workplace, including the dress code and expectations of the higher-ups. You don’t want to spend money on clothes that won’t suit the workplace or are unacceptable to wear – especially if you’re starting a new role and aren’t sure of the culture. If you’re looking to start dressing hybrid in the office, start by playing it safe with what you purchase. Stick with timeless classics and neutral pieces instead of starting out with a bang. While some people prefer to have a ‘louder’ style, it’s important to start with sleeker options before introducing these louder pieces. Neutral tones also make mixing and matching easier with other pieces in your wardrobe.  

If you’ve recently returned to the office, consider waiting a while to see whether your company will revise any existing uniform policy they may have had. You might find that sneakers are now an acceptable thing to wear to work!

Use your existing wardrobe

Before you go throwing out everything you own, ready to start fresh (apart from anything, you’d be sending a lot of clothes to landfill!), re-evaluate what’s in your existing wardrobe. It might sound obvious, but it’s one step many people will skip, as their focus is on purchasing pieces to create their hybrid wardrobe. There may be garments you forgot you had or pieces you see in a new light.

When curating your hybrid pieces, know that not everything will fit into this category. While you may have lived in yoga pants when working from home, it’s more than likely that they won’t be acceptable at the office (if they are, bonus!).  Look at what you have that could work if paired with the right thing. This might include evaluating:

• T-shirts
• Blouses
• Polo shirts
• Shoes
• Belts
• Jewellery
• Jackets
  

Taking an inventory means you’ll easily be able to identify the gaps in your wardrobe. Finding these gaps means that you are sticking to your budget and only spending money on items you have to.

Buying on a budget

Buying pieces for your hybrid wardrobe doesn’t mean you have to head straight to the closest designer store and spend hundreds on one t-shirt. While it would be nice to be able to afford that, it’s not a viable option for many of us. Instead, look through second-hand shops. There are so many items there that have only been worn a couple of times, as well as designer pieces that you can grab for an absolute bargain. If funds are limited, this is a great place to start.

Learn to mix and match

When it comes to dressing hybrid, it’s all about seeing how many ways you can wear different pieces. For example, blazers are no longer worn exclusively with suits. They can be paired with lounge shorts, distressed jeans, and oversized t-shirts to elevate the look. The same goes for a shirt or cardigan. Depending on what other items you pair it with, the look can be dressed up or down and worn in various situations.

Take your time

You might be excited to start your hybrid wardrobe and learn more about slow fashion. However, take your time curating your wardrobe. You don’t need to rush in straight away and buy every piece you’re missing overnight. Prioritise your list and which pieces are more urgent than others. Start tackling the list and buying one or two items a month or as your budget permits.

Keep your eye out for a bargain

Lastly, always keep your eye out for deals and sales. Following fashion bloggers and influencers is a free and easy way to source bargains and acquire discount codes for particular brands. Don’t be afraid to scour second-hand shops or website platforms for people selling their pre-loved garments. There are plenty of “Buy, Sell, Swap” groups on social media sites like Facebook, where you may be able to trade in some of your pieces for other items.

Dressing hybrid is an environmentally friendly way to curate numerous outfits that can be worn in many situations. It also is a great way to find some new work pieces after a relaxation in uniform policies at many companies as a result of the pandemic. Even on a budget, there are plenty of ways you can find hybrid pieces without breaking the bank. If you want to start your hybrid wardrobe, head to your closest Fashion Biz Canada distributor today.