Today's post is a little bit different topic than usual. As much as I love to share about lingerie, I understand that sometimes you actually have to wear clothes over your dainties. Below is an email excerpt from one of my style icons Diana Pemberton-Sikes. I've personally bought almost everything she has put out because it is that good! She knows style and how to teach it! Wardrobe Magic is one the first fashion or style courses I purchased and it has been worth it's virtual weight in gold. I'd really appreciate it you chose to purchase this awesome program using my affiliate link.
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“I want to look good without spending a lot of
money. What's the best way to use my clothing
budget?”
This question - or variations thereof - regularly
hits my inbox from readers all over the world.
While we may not all speak the same language,
there are a few things upon which we can all
agree that make us take leave of our senses: rich
chocolate, handsome men, and clothes that are too
cute to leave behind at the store.
So what's a gal to do, particularly when she's
been saddled with champagne tastes on a beer
budget?
First, set down those glossy fashion magazines
and back away from them slowly. They can be
dangerous, particularly if you don't know how to
use them. $700 pants? $500 shoes? Who can
afford to buy these things? Not many! Look at
what's popular, swipe some styling ideas, then go
replicate the looks in prices that you can
afford.
Secondly, start viewing any “must have” list with
healthy skepticism. These are the latest trends
that the designers are showing that will be dated
by this time next year. Some will be cute, true,
but others will only be cute on the models that
show them. Once you learn what looks good on you
and what doesn't, you'll be a lot less
susceptible to buying what others say you “must
have” each season.
Finally, invest in classic pieces that work well
on your body. It's the single best way to get
the most mileage out of your clothing budget,
because you can wear classic styles for several
years without ever looking dated. Top a classic
base with a trendy accessory, and you'll look “au
courant” without going in the red.
So what exactly ARE classic styles, and how do
you know one when you see it?
Classics are styles that have been popular for
years because of their clean lines and
utilitarian features. While trends are instantly
recognizable by length, pattern, or decoration,
classics transcend time with their cut, style,
and fabric. They can be worn alone, layered,
dressed up or dressed down, and can be made to
look current by adding something trendy.
Examples of classics include:
Jeans
Turtleneck
Cardigan
T-shirt
Sleeveless Sheath
Tailored Jacket
Crisp shirt
Trench Coat
Kelly bag
Penny loafer
There are some years when these styles are more
popular and some years when they're less, but
they continue to sell well because they fit a
variety of body types and offer a simple, unfussy
silhouette. Get them in basic, solid colors, and
you can wear them for years to come.
But won't you get bored with the “same old
thing?”
Only if you have no imagination.
The neat thing about classics is that they not
only look great all by themselves, they serve as
a wonderful backdrop to flashier pieces. Add a
snazzy jacket, funky hosiery, or a great pair of
shoes, and you'll be able to brilliantly showcase
the new piece using your classic staples as a
backdrop.
Your friends, family, and coworkers will think
you spend a fortune on your clothes, when in
reality you're merely adding a few “to die for”
pieces each year. It's a clever way to expand
your wardrobe choices without overspending your
budget or over-cramming your closet.
So the next time you're in a quandary as to what
to add to your wardrobe, opt for classics.
They're clean, versatile, easy-to-wear, and make
the most of your budget. Dressing well just
doesn't get any easier than this!
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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 online at:
Wardrobe Magic
