I can't afford...Clothes & Shoes
Ways to update your wardrobe and save £££s on clothes and shoes!
Having practical clothes and the right footwear is important but it can be expensive – especially if you have a large family.
For all the help and support you need with these costs – look no further than BudgetSmart!
Robert had a job interview but was worried because he couldn’t afford to buy smart clothes to wear but really wanted to make a good impression. By using BudgetSmart, he discovered Suited & Booted – and was able to turn up looking and feeling smart – and even landed himself a new job!
If you need help paying for school uniforms
School uniforms can be expensive – especially if you have a few children at school. What’s more, clothes can become easily worn and need replacing quite frequently.
The good news is you could get up to £150 towards the cost of a new or replacement school uniform. Just type in your postcode here and you’ll be redirected to your local council’s website to apply.
It’s also worth checking with your child/children’s school to see if they offer discounted uniform. Parents with school leavers may be looking to sell or donate old uniforms – so it’s worth double-checking.
If you’ve got a job interview
Suited & Booted works with Jobcentre Plus, the NHS, Crisis and London Probation to help those who are vulnerable, unemployed or on a low income into employment, by providing interview clothing and interview advice. Speak to your Jobcentre Plus work coach to find out more.
If you need to maintain a work uniform
If you’re required to clean, repair or replace specialist clothing, such as a work uniform or scrubs, you may be entitled to claim tax relief on the costs. You can also claim additional tax relief if your employer doesn’t provide a laundering service. Check the full list of occupations to see if yours is listed.
If you work in healthcare, the Armed Forces, or the emergency services
Blue Light Card
A Blue Light Card costs £4.99 for two years and you’ll need your work ID or a recent payslip to prove you’re eligible. It offers discounts at over 15,000 high street and online stores and covers lots of areas including insurance, phones, cars, and days out. Apply for your Blue Light Card here.
Defence Privilege Card
The Defence Discount Service provides discounts both online and on the high street for members of the Armed Forces, Veterans and Armed Forces Community. It’s the home of the Defence Privilege Card, which is a vetted discount card that can be used in stores, restaurants, and venues to obtain discounts. Find out more about the Defence Discount Service and the Defence Privilege Card here.
Pre-loved clothing is more popular than ever!
You can sell your old clothes and shoes with no charges in some cases through websites such as Depop, Vinted and Facebook Marketplace. You can also pick up some bargains using these websites too – a lot of the clothes/shoes have only been used once, so it’s worth seeing what’s out there.
- Vinted - an online marketplace for pre-owned items
- Depop - an online marketplace for pre-owned items
Speak to PayPlan and get free debt advice
Remember, if you’re struggling with debt, PayPlan's here to help you get on top of your finances. Speak to PayPlan today to get started.
Head to BudgetSmart for all the support you need to maximise your income in other areas of your budget: