Beauty & Fashion > Fashion

STRETCHING YOUR FASHION DOLLARS

The cost of clothing can drain a checking account faster than most of us would like to admit. You can save your hard-earned fashion dollars by investing in a few quality pieces to pair up with less - expensive finds. Here are a few more tips for creating a great wardrobe on a budget:

* You are already familiar one of the best wardrobe enhancers ever: Scarves by Margaret! I discovered her products right before the official launch of my latest books at a publishing trade show in Indianapolis in the dead of winter. Since I live in Florida, my winter wardrobe is somewhat sparse. I had little time and even less money to buy the number of outfits I needed for the many personal appearances I would be making. The solution? Four of Margaret’s neck scarves, which gave a whole new look to my limited wardrobe. The scarves looked great, allowed for quick changes, and garnered lots of compliments.

* Pair up several pieces of inexpensive vintage jewelry with a favorite outfit. Be on the lookout for jewelry sets-earrings, brooches, stickpins, bracelets-at thrift stores and garage sales; it’s amazing how great an old piece of jewelry can look once it’s cleaned up with jewelry cleaner or rubbing alcohol. One of my friends frequently wears the same suit to church, but I didn’t realize it until we were discussing vintage jewelry one day. She pointed out that the inexpensive earrings and brooch she was wearing - one of many sets she owns-had given her suit a whole different look.

* Along the same lines, dig through your memorabilia and see if you can find that charm bracelet you wore in high school. Carefully clean it up, and start wearing it again. It’s a great conversation piece that will cost you nothing but the time it takes to make it sparkle again.

* Wraps and shawls can completely change the look of an old standby in your closet. I know of several women who wear wraps with such a dramatic flair that you’d think they stepped right off a fashion runway. But they’re not models, and they’re not wealthy, and they’re not necessarily dramatic. They just know how to pull off this look.

* Add some decorative elements-fancy buttons, sequins, trims, and other embellishments-to a plain top or an old pair of jeans to dress them up. You don’t need a sewing machine or any special sewing skills to create a one-of-a-kind wardrobe item; you can sew most items on by hand while you’re watching television. You can even use fabric glue to add appliqués or patches. Go to a local fabric or craft store for ideas, and don’t hesitate to ask the store personnel for help. Often, employees are crafters themselves, and they love to share their expertise.

* If you’re already a seamstress, you don’t need to be told the value of custom-made clothes. My mother taught me to sew when I was a child. I used to make my own clothes-including jeans, if you can imagine that!-and it was great knowing I had a unique wardrobe that fit both my body and my style. If you think you would be interested in sewing your own clothes, it’s worth the money in the long run to invest in a sewing class and a good sewing machine.

* Organize a clothing swap with other women in your neighborhood, house of worship, or other group. Women who are reluctant to shop in a thrift store are often willing to exchange clothes with women they know personally. Our church did this, and we discovered it was a great way to recycle clothes that weren’t appropriate to donate to the mission we supported (winter clothes, for example, were useless to women in the tropics!). It also gave some of the needy women in our church an opportunity to acquire a new wardrobe without feeling as if they were getting a handout; women from all income levels participated in the exchange, so we were all on an equal footing.

* Vintage clothing stores in larger cities and trendy towns often charge top dollar for the pieces they carry. However, in out-of-the-way areas, you can still find a real bargain-and the owners are usually more willing to negotiate the prices, especially for an item that’s been on the racks for a while. That unsold item may simply have been waiting for someone who’s the right size, with the right eye for detail and a particular sense of style. That person could be you.

* Invest in quality clothing when it comes to the basics. Two or three pairs of great-fitting, well-constructed pants can see you through an entire season-just take good care of them and pair them up with less-expensive tops. The same goes for a basic dress or suit or jacket. It’s amazing how much mileage you can get out of a well-designed jacket, for instance; wear it with your thrift-store finds for a finished, classy look.

* If you shop in consignment stores, get to know the owners! I’m a consignment store fanatic. I’ve found designer outfits still bearing the original price tags, custom-made clothing that actually fits me; and party dresses that were worn maybe once. Early on, I learned that once you become a familiar face to the proprietor, she instinctively remembers your size, style, and color preferences-and when an item fitting your bill comes in, she may just give you a call and put it aside for you.

* Finally, don’t scrimp on shoes. Poorly made or ill-fitting shoes can cause you to walk awkwardly and tire easily. What’s worse, they can do serious damage to your back.

Remember three basic rules for budget shopping:

Smart shopping isn’t always cheap shopping. Quality clothes that last are worth the extra money, especially if you wait for sales or clearance seasons.

A great bargain is a waste of money if it doesn’t fit, doesn’t suit your needs, or doesn’t match anything else you own.

Look at second-hand clothing with a creative eye; a few of your own personal touches can do wonders for someone else’s castoff.