The Top 7
Ways to Dress Well on a Budget
Like to dress well but don't have deep pockets? If you arm
yourself with a little information, you can "dress to the
nines" WITHOUT going in the red.
Here's how:
1. Take an inventory of your closet and make a list of
things you need. Buying from a list will keep you focused
and curb impulse buying.
2. Buy the best quality of clothes that you can afford.
They'll last longer, wear better, and ultimately, save you
more money than buying inferior-quality pieces.
3. Buy classic styles. These will stand the test of time
and not date you as easily as buying into trends.
4. Opt for mix-and-match separates. If you buy carefully, a
little will go a long way. Five well-chosen shirts combined
with two pairs of pants will give you ten combinations, for
example. Two head-to-toe ensembles that don't go with
anything else will only give you two combinations.
5. Try for a primary color scheme. Build your wardrobe
around three to five colors that look good on you. Not only
will this allow you more mix-and-match opportunities, it
will reduce the number of accessories that you need.
6. Opt for solids over patterns. Solids mix and match more
easily and are less easily remembered than prints...which
will make you look like you have a lot more clothes than
you really do.
7. Buy on sale whenever possible. Join your favorite
store's mailing list to take advantage of "insider" sales
notifications. Also frequent the designer "seconds" shops
like Loehmann's, T.J. Maxx, and Frugal Fannies, and make
the rounds of the consignment stores in the best part of
town. With a little bit of persistence, you can find
quality pieces at affordable prices.
Dressing well doesn't have to cost a fortune. If you take a
little time to plan your needs and treat your wardrobe like
the investment that it is, you can make a little go a long
way. You can also look like you spend a lot of money on
your clothes when all you're really doing is combining a
few well-chosen, high-quality pieces.
Diana Pemberton-Sikes is a wardrobe and image consultant
and author of "Wardrobe Magic," an ebook that shows women
how to transform their unruly closets into workable,
wearable wardrobes. Visit her at http://www.FashionForRealWomen.com