High on fashion...light on the wallet

As they say, to look good is to feel good... and everyone wants to look good! But considering the current financial scenario, one may think that keeping up-to-date with all the latest trends will cost way too much.

However, that’s really not the case. Being fashionable doesn’t have to cost a fortune. All it takes is a bit of patience, some creativity and a willingness to look at things from a fresh point of view. You can still get the look you want if you make smart choices that will not mess up your budget.

Simple and solid

Buy a few solid colour tops; kurtis, shirts, kameezes and/or pants, trousers, shalwars etc and mix and match more outfits that way. You can still have several patterned shirts, but solid colours will go with more types of pants, and you’ll end up with more outfit options.

Aim to accessorise

One of the ultimate fashion accessories during summers are shades. You could simply be wearing jeans and a t-shirt, but with the right shades you could suddenly look like a style diva. Head over to you nearest optical shop and your can buy a whole bunch of cheaper sunglasses for the price of a single pair of designer shades.

Another accessory that could add to your look is a watch. A watch to match what you are wearing always stands out, especially if you cannot make that big buy of a lifetime and invest in ‘the’ watch. There are a number of manufacturers that make trendy watches at cheap prices; Fossil, Kenneth Cole and Diesel to name a few.

As for the jewellery, all you need is a simple chain, or a dressy necklace, a statement-making cocktail ring, a bangle or cuff bracelet  and a pair of simple silver or imitation studs, a few hoop earrings and some dangly or sparkly showstoppers will do just as well.

Being well-heeled

Instead of buying a pair of shoes that matches only one outfit, you can get a great pair of shoes that goes with several outfits.  So take a look around your closet before you shop, and try to avoid those ultra-pricy impulse buys.  If you own quite a few pastel outfits, consider beige or silver shoes to complement them. Another great way to save money is to take good care of the shoes you already own.  After wearing your shoes each day, wipe them down with a soft, clean cloth.  Store your off-season shoes in containers/boxes to keep them clean, dry and ready for use when the weather changes. Taking care of the shoes you already own will save you money in the long run; they’ll have a longer life span and you won’t have to spend money on replacing them as often.

Get a new, different hairdo

A new hair cut or a change in the routine hairdo can do wonders. It comes across as a fresh change and an uplift in the fashion scale is evident. But be realistic; get something attainable and maintainable, that your hair, skin tone, and features are capable of carrying off.

Keep your eyes open

Get back issues of fashion magazines and keep an eye on TV channels to get ideas of what to wear and how to wear it. Look at and observe styles that are different from the ones you’re used to. All this research will pay off and soon you’ll be a bit of a fashion expert yourself.

Go off the beaten path

Explore stores, malls and shops other than the usual ones you go to. It is only when you start to really look around yourself and pay attention to fashion that it will start to grow on you. In addition, that one purchase that is perfect for you in price and all other factors only comes from exploration. Perhaps the perfect accessory is out there on a dusty shelf somewhere just waiting to be noticed?

Keep clothes fresh

Before you pack your winter clothes away for the summers, tuck in a dryer sheet to keep them smelling good until the next season. This doesn’t cost much or take much effort but it may just save you on drycleaning bills when you start to take them out of hibernation.

Be a bag lady

Coordinating your pocketbook with your clothes or shoes gives you a more put-together look, but shifting the contents between bags can be a real time drain. The solution: Keep your belongings in a transfer-bag; a clutch-size container that slips easily into most purses. Loaded with pockets to keep you organised, it’s cute enough to carry on its own, too.

Fix a fashion faux pas

Use a pretty earring stud to fix wardrobe malfunctions such as a gaping shirt or a loose neckline. It adds visual interest and puts spare jewellery to good use. Likewise, be imaginative with things you have lying around, everything can be put to good use.

It is a good idea to continue taking small steps to improvise on style in an inexpensive manner. Nevertheless, continue to look for and buy a few fresh pieces, gradually replacing your old ones. If you do this as an ongoing procedure, you’ll never be in a fashion rut as your wardrobe will be a continuous work in progress.

Still think you can’t be fashionable with a tight budget? Think again...

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2011.