Looking Good on a Budget

Lately everyone is talking all about the recession and how to survive it relatively unharmed. There are ways. No matter it be cheaper groceries, fewer miles on the car, or vacationing, everyone is trying to do it for less money. With the exception of the very wealthy, and the do-it-yourself-ers, it has become an national obsession. Since I do not fall into the first category, but the second, I can tell you ways to update your wardrobe while spending only a little money.

Luckily I freelance and have no need to have a complete professional wardrobe. But I do like to keep a few key items in my closet, like a nice basic, (not trendy,) jacket. Those pieces should fit correctly, and be interchangable with one another.

That being said, here are some ideas:

Get long term items altered to fit. That pretty cocktail dress will do you no good just sitting in the closet.

Alter your jeans. Make them into skinny style, capris, shorts, or a skirt if you have the patience to take a few seams out. I have done all the above. The most recent example is of five pair of the same style jeans I bought about a year ago. One is faded rinse. One is medium rinse. The other three are dark. I started with the light ones and brought the leg inseam in about 1 1/2 in. For a different look I will splatter bleach on the faded pair with a paintbrush, so they will resemble the style out in stores that are about $68. The medium ones got more wear so I overdyed them with (Rit) fabric dye in tan. Of the three dark ones, I also brought the inseam on two about 1 1/2 inch and scattered butterfly patches on one pair. Of the last pair, the inseam was brought in even more to create skinny jeans.

Do tee shirt makeovers. There are books and free online tutorials filled with ideas. My best friend has made use of the book "Generation T: 108 Ways To Transform a T-Shirt" by Megan Nicolay. She bought it at www.amazon.com on sale of course. Two sites I visit often are www.craftster.org and www.cutoutandkeep.net. The range is as simple as a pair of scissors, too complicated involving many tees and a serger.

Change out accessories. It's Spring now, so the same outfit can look new with a change of say, handbag, belt, scarf, tights, etc.

Trade with friends. The rules to a trade can be whatever you make them. The costs are a night in with friends and snacks. Go to www.greenusesforwaste.co.uk for more ideas on organizing one.

Embellish your stuff. That may mean changing out buttons, or like I said before, patching old jeans.

Shop in unlikely places. Consignment and thrift shops often have never or gently worn quality items. Plato's Closet allows you to sell name brand items as well as buy them. Value Village (locally around metro Atlanta) and The Salvation Army are two other popular thrift shops. The kid's and men's department of clothing stores are a good source of basics such as tee shirts, socks and belts.

Mending is a good habit to have. De-fuzz items with a handy battery operated lint defuzzer. It is cheaper to re-sole your favorite shoes, instead of buying new ones.

There are plenty of ways to look good without breaking the bank. I have discussed only a few. But with a little creativity, you can be stylish, and have money left over for more important things. Like living expenses. So get going.