With the economy in a state of flux, many of us feel the need to hold on to our cold, hard cash. But life as we know it hasn’t stopped and we still want to dress up for our work, nights out, and just for ourselves. There has to be a way to look great without breaking the bank! Here are some of my top tips for looking fabulous on a tight budget and staying out of debt.
1. Keep your wardrobe updated – Whatever your budget, pay attention to trends. Every season there are a few small tweaks you can make to keep your look fresh, rather than dated, without spending a ton of cold hard cash. Small details make a big difference, so learn what’s on the inside and get rid of what’s on the outside. A little tough love in your closet will help keep your wardrobe pared down and looking top-notch, instead of drowning in a sea of clothes you don’t like or never wear.
Most women wear only 10-20% of their wardrobes. Think of all the money you’ve spent on clothes that you really don’t like, don’t fit well, or don’t fit your lifestyle anymore. How much would it be? When you go shopping, only buy what you LOVE: items that look GREAT on you and fit you like a glove (or can be modified). Sell those items you no longer use and use the extra $$ to buy items you love.
If you could only buy two items each season, I recommend it be a fabulous pair of shoes and a great bag. These can make or break an outfit and make a person look dated faster than anything else (short of a dated hairstyle or unflattering makeup). If you have a wardrobe full of basic staples in solid colors, treat yourself to a great pair of snakeskin loafers, embellished sandals, or patent leather flats in a chic color (try nude or sparkly). Invest in a great bag – it doesn’t have to be a designer bag, but select something classy and elegant. Try one in a bold hue or with a texture (your shoes and bag don’t have to match, ever!).
2. Know when to buy cheap and when to hope for the best you can afford
With the economy plummeting, it’s enough to make you want to do all your shopping at Target or Forever 21. But before you do, take a step back and take a good look at your wardrobe. Are there items in there that you’ve had for years that you spent a good chunk of change on, and that you use day in and day out? Probably. Those are her basic clothes and the basics of her wardrobe. Now let’s talk basics vs. fillers and how to know when to splurge.
A. The core: Basic items are basics like a nice suit, a winter coat, or a fabulous pair of jeans. These are items that you will wear over and over again and will be the foundation of your wardrobe. Basic items should be in your best basic colors or neutral tones that won’t be remembered even when you wear them several times in a row. For example, a camel coat, a beige suit, a pair of black slacks, or a charcoal turtleneck.
The basic items are where you want to spend the majority of your wardrobe budget. You don’t have to buy the most expensive, but buy the best you can afford. These are items that will be with you for the long haul and if you buy quality from the get-go, you’ll be sure to put more miles in the future.
Think of it this way: If you spend $300 on a perfect-fitting pair of high-quality black pants and wear them twice a week for 3 years, that averages out to about $1 per wear—a steal in the long run. rush. Conversely, if you spend $60 on a cheap-quality pair of pants that don’t flatter your figure and wear them about 4 times before getting rid of them, that’s $15 a wear, a splurge in the long run.
A word of caution: buying basic items doesn’t always have to mean spending a lot of money. Discount retailers like TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, and Ross have made it easy for us to find high-quality, seasonal designer items at a fraction of the cost. Most of the merchandise is from the current season (I know, I was surprised to find this out too) and can usually be found for up to quarter of the retail price. I once bought an Ann Taylor jacket at Rugged Wearhouse that was originally over $200 for only $9.99. It’s a centerpiece (ie classic vs. modern) and something I’ll be wearing for years to come, making it a real steal.
B. The fillers: Once you have your main items, you can add the fun fillers: floral print tops, a metallic belt, a turquoise top, or a fancy dress. This is where color, pattern, and texture come into play. Consider spending less on these items that help fill in the gaps and keep you looking contemporary and stylish. Fillers are items you’ll likely only use for a season or two, so it makes sense to spend less on them. These pieces can be on-trend or they can be classic, but this is often where cheap works best.
Stores like Target, JC Penney, New York and Co., and Kohl’s are great for filler items. With a focus on what’s hot, you can find up-to-date items for a fraction of the cost of a boutique or high-end department store. And these stores tend to have terrific sales, so you’re even more likely to score a bargain. Look for coupons and circulars in the newspaper to keep up with sales.
When shopping for fashion fillers, consider trends that are age-appropriate. You don’t want to look like your teenage daughter, but you don’t want to look like a midwife either. Pick a style that works for you. If you’re not sure how to wear a trend, start with accessories and stick with the classics for your clothing.
3. Build Wardrobe Capsules
The best way to start building a wardrobe each season is to create a capsule. Do this by pulling out 5-12 items that work well together and are complementary in color. Play around with these and put them together in as many different combinations as possible. Add accessories to complete each look. Take notes on each possible combination so you don’t forget some of your favorites. Imagine outfits that you could create if you had other items. Take note of the most versatile items and add them to your shopping list. Such an item could be a staple or filler item, but it should work for creating multiple outfits. It could be a great dress, a scarf, a cardigan or a belt.
Now grab another handful of matching items and see how many outfits you can create, as well as what you could add to get more benefit from these items. Your goal is to have several capsules for various aspects of your life: work, weekend, elegant, sporty, etc. When you create capsules instead of thinking of your wardrobe as just outfits, you expand the possibilities by using fewer items and you won’t be forced to wear the same sweater with the same skirt all the time (which people definitely tend to remember more!) . Plus, you’ll be able to get dressed in no time and still look great!
4. The power of accessories
As a general rule of thumb, you should plan to spend 1/3 of your clothing budget on accessories. Yes, this also includes shoes. fashion lovers For real I love accessories, but every woman can appreciate the power accessories have to transform the look of everything from a little black dress to jeans and a t-shirt.
Scarves are a great example of how an accessory can take your look to the next level. Start with a basic outfit, add shoes, a bag, and a scarf. In winter, wear your favorite warm and comfortable scarf. In warmer weather, opt for a lighter cotton, knit, or pretty chiffon scarf. Knowing what to do with your scarf can be a bit tricky, but here are some easy, yet stylish ways to wear one:
* One Loop around This is a great look with a coat, jacket or just a t-shirt. It’s a great way to add some color around your face.
* Loop and Knot If you have a fringed scarf, this is a fun look and another way to put color right on your face. This works best with a large triangle scarf (or shawl). Fold in half with the ends in front, wrap once around the back, and tie in front.
* Bib style. Easy peasy. Just take your square and fold it in half. Tie it like you are putting on a bib.
* Shawl Wrap Shawls and pashminas are wonderfully versatile scarves and work well over your outfit when it’s a bit chilly, or they can add warmth when worn over your coat. Just drape your shoulders and tie it in front. You can also leave one end longer and slip it over your shoulder for added drama and warmth.
* Fold and loop. Simply fold your scarf in half lengthwise, wrap it around your neck, and pull on the ends. Ready!
* Let it hang One of my favorites to add color to a jacket and to put the finishing touch on an outfit. Simply let the scarf hang around the back of your neck so that the two ends are in front, on each side.
5. Be aware of the trends, then make your own!
Each season fashion dictates a handful of trends that are ‘hot’. One thing to keep in mind is that these trends are arbitrary and do not take into account your personal size, shape, age, style, or budget. Blindly following fashion trends can easily break your budget without doing anything for your style if they are not right for you. Take note of the trends and carefully select a few that work for you. If the color blue is in season, as it is right now, wear your best blue in the way that flatters you the most. There are many different shades of blue ranging from midnight to Carolina, so you have plenty to choose from. If wearing blue isn’t for you, try a blue accessory to add a touch of flair to a neutral-toned outfit. A blue scarf thrown over a knit top adds a pop of color and lifts it up a bit. A pair of blue shoes can be an instant pick-me-up and will leave you energized every time you look at your feet.
A trend can also translate into an exclusive look. If you find a trend that you love and that really works for you, you may want to adopt it (or some aspects of it) as your signature and wear it for years to come.
