How to Dress Stylishly on a Tight Budget

How to Dress Stylishly on a Tight Budget

If you want to create the right look without going into the red every month, you need to know how best to invest your hard-earned cash. Tempting though it may be to splash out on the latest fashion fads, truly stylish women know that a great look is best achieved by investing in classic items of good quality clothing that fit well. So if you believe that dressing stylishly is beyond your budget, take a few tips from those women who have learned how to get an expensive look for less.

Rule number one when wanting to dress stylishly for less is to buy classic items in classic colors so that your wardrobe lasts for longer and costs less in the long run. Stick to basic solid colors – e.g. black, tan, grey, navy, and white – and build your wardrobe around those colors. Spend money on a number of essential items that will form the basis of your collection – e.g. pants, blouse, sweater, cardigan, dress, jeans, skirt, coat, boots, and shoes. Make sure that the basic items are well-made and will last. Opt for classic designs so they can be worn throughout the seasons. Consider the fabric components of clothing items before making a purchase. For example, a 100-percent wool coat will look better for longer than, say, one that contains only a small percentage of wool and is manufactured predominantly from a man-made fiber such as polyester.

Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize! Use accessories to dress up or dress down your look and to add splashes of color: Scarves, hats, belts, and bags can all be used to add a unique twist to an outfit. This is where you can spend less as these items don’t necessarily need to last and they’re merely being used to accentuate the clothes you’re wearing.

Always buy clothes suitable for your size and body shape. Do your research beforehand so you know which styles will suit you best. While it’s good to have a friend on hand for advice, remember that she may just say what she believes you want to hear!

Never buy an item of clothing that doesn’t fit optimistically believing that you will “slim” into it. Make sure that whatever you buy fits you well. Ill-fitting clothes will do little to flatter your figure or create a stylish look. Furthermore, if an item isn’t comfortable, you may well end up having to buy another one in its place.

Shop at thrift stores. Great bargains are to be had in thrift stores. It’s sometimes possible to pick up items from reputable clothing brands in your local thrift store, some of which have a lot of wear left in them.

Look after your clothes – especially if you’ve spent top-dollar on them. Always read the care instructions on clothing labels and launder items accordingly. Line-drying your clothes is kinder to them and will help them last longer than drying them in the tumble dryer. Avoid buying anything that needs to be professionally cleaned: You may avoid wearing it because of the cost involved in cleaning it; or you may love wearing it which means you’ll spend a lot of money on having it regularly cleaned!

You don’t have to spend a million dollars to look a million dollars. Spend wisely and you can create a stylish look that will last for years, thereby saving you money in the long run.

Learning About the Meanings of Gemstones

Jewelry is a large part of our culture. It is a status symbol in some societies, and in some, it is a token of love. This article explains the meaning of some of the most popular gemstones used in jewelry pieces.

For centuries, the practice of giving and receiving various pieces of jewelry has been going on in many societies around the world. In some cultures, jewelry is considered a status symbol. People have to don a piece of jewelry that represents their social class. In modern society, jewelry such as an engagement ring or wedding ring is commonly given as a token of love and commitment. Jewelry is also a typical gift that lovers give each other on special occasions such as birthdays, Christmas, and Valentine´s Day.

Despite the common practice of giving jewelry to people we care about, many people, especially men, don´t understand the true meaning behind the kind of jewelry they are giving away. Gemstones, for instance, are not only valued for their brilliant hues but also for the meanings associated with them. In fact, choosing a gemstone for their meaning is much more romantic than simply choosing them for their aesthetic value.