The good news - there are a number of ways that you can use your fashion cents to make fashion sense. You can be a frugal fashionista - all it takes is a little effort and imagination.
Let's take a look at some simple and relatively inexpensive options for making your wardrobe appear - well, for lack of a better phrase, more expensive than it is:
- Buttons: Replace those cheap plastic buttons on your coat or jacket - go for the gold! Spend $4 for gold plastic buttons and spend ½ hour sewing time to make them look more upscale.
- Handbag: KISS! The Keep It Simple Solution. Clean and neat equals elegance. Elegance equals sophistication. Sophistication equals fashionista! Keep the hardware to a minimum. More often than not, the brighter the bling the more zing to your pocketbook.
- Shoes: Go for the lower-priced pumps in faux suede rather than leather. From a distance no one will be able to tell the difference but at a less expensive price tag your bank account will know.
- The raggedy look: That's right, the raggedy look. Invest in a steamer for $$ and give your clothes that wrinkled look that you would spend a fortune on off the rack.
- Slip: Invest in a cheap slip to wear with your inexpensive skirts and dresses. As most inexpensive skirts and dresses aren't lined it will not only prevent wardrobe malfunctions but give you that breezy flow that more expensive clothes will have.
- Fabric: Go for the cottons, tweeds and linens. They often look more expensive even when they're not.
- Give your clothes a shave: Invest in a fabric shaver to keep you knits looking new. It will also make them last longer and help you save some $$!
- Get in the black: Black colors automatically hide any of the telltale signs that what you're wearing didn't cost the price of a mortgage payment.
- Belt out the belt: Often, less expensive coats and dresses will come with a belt that makes the whole piece appear to be cheap. Simply swap out the belt to kick the pizzazz up a notch.
- Visit a cobbler: Nothing looks worse than worn down and scruffy shoes. For a relatively inexpensive price you can have them redone and looking brand new again. Don't get rid of - get retreaded.
- Tailorize it: While it may cost a few dollars upfront, a trip to the tailor to have a tuck here and there will make you look more expensive and feel great about yourself.
