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.
