Spring 2009 Fashion: Save Money and Look Great

The other day I was flipping through a popular women's fashion magazine and came upon a brochure advertising the best spring 2009 fashion trends at a famous upscale department store. The brochure attached to the magazine featured the hottest must have spring 2009 fashion looks, like distressed denim jeans and cut-off shorts. I was astonished when I found out the hot designer denim jeans cost $200 and the trendy denim cut-offs were $175!

During these troubled economic times, it just isn't practical (or possible) for many of us to pay such exorbitant prices for spring 2009 fashion. However, with some ingenuity and a little bit of effort it is possible to create a stylish wardrobe on a budget. Here are a few ways to save money on spring 2009 fashion and still look great.

Spring 2009 Fashion: Explore Your Own Closet

How many times have you peered into a messy, black hole of a closet, declared you have nothing to wear, and then shopped for a new outfit (or two) to add to your already disorganized wardrobe? Before heading out to shop for spring 2009 fashion, first take a critical look at what's already in your closet.

As the seasons change, do a spring cleaning of your closet. Separate or store your winter clothes and unpack your warm weather clothing. This is the time to take a careful look at what you currently have in your closet before dropping any cash on new spring 2009 fashion. Organizing your wardrobe allows you to evaluate what you have versus what you need, and can help you economize on spring 2009 fashion.

Spread your spring clothes out on the bed or hang them all up where you can get a good view of your wardrobe. Separate clothing by type (pants, shorts, dresses, suits, etc.) then try to visualize potential outfits for spring 2009, using what you have in your closet. As you try to make some spring outfits out of the pieces in your own closet, notice where there are any gaps in your wardrobe that need to be filled with some new spring 2009 fashion.

Edit your spring 2009 wardrobe, and make an assessment of anything that is too old or worn, stained, doesn't fit or flatter you, or is hopelessly out of style (some of these pieces can be discarded, given away or donated to charity). Be honest with yourself during this evaluation process, and keep the recession in mind as you shop your own wardrobe and look for creative new ways to play with the clothing you already own.

Some spring 2009 fashion trends, like gladiator sandals, maxi dresses, the bohemian look and ethnic prints have been around for a few years now, so if you have some pieces like these in your closet, there's no real need to shop for more this season. The point of organizing and exploring your own closet is to edit out what clearly isn't working, so you can make the most out of the remaining pieces in your wardrobe and shop wisely for spring 2009 fashion.

Spring 2009 Fashion: Invest in a Few Quality Basics

Spring 2009 fashion can be pricey, so it just makes sense to invest in a few versatile basics of good quality that will serve as the foundation of your wardrobe. Let your lifestyle dictate your needs when shopping for quality basics; you may need lots of professional clothes and suits if you work in an office, while a stay at home mom would need some comfortable, stylish clothing for running around with the kids (and a freelancer could require some good looking casual styles for working at home, or the occasional meeting with clients).

Consider your wardrobe needs and lifestyle, and then buy a few quality basics that will breathe some new life into your spring 2009 wardrobe and help you pull together some spring 2009 fashion looks with clothing you already own. For example, a good quality pair of white jeans and some neutral summer weight pants are real wardrobe stretchers. White jeans can be paired with a nice top, some colorful sandals and metallic accessories for a fun evening out, or they can be dressed down with a graphic tee and some funky athletic shoes for weekends. Neutral trousers pair well with spring 2009 fashion trends like gladiator sandals, neon bright tops, print or ruffled blouses and ethnic inspired accessories.

Classic pieces to look for include a basic spring trench coat, lightweight jeans, and white tanks and tees. Neutral toned jackets, pants, and tops made of good quality fabrics in colors like white, khaki, navy and black will coordinate with a wide range of colorful, bold spring 2009 fashion looks. Try to shop for the best quality basics you can afford, as these pieces are truly the workhorse of your spring wardrobe.

Spring 2009 Fashion: Shop for Sales and Discounts

In the past week, I've received quite a few flyers in the mail from department stores like Peebles, Fashion Bug and Macy's. These mailers advertised upcoming store sales and some contained coupons for up to fifty percent off selected merchandise. In the past few years, I've gotten in the habit of visiting these department stores less, and only buying clothing and accessories that are on sale.

Once you've examined your own closet and have some idea what pieces of spring 2009 fashion you'd like to buy, haunt department stores and online sites for sales and discounts. As the season wears on, spring 2009 fashion will be marked down at department stores like Macy's (also search sites like Macys.com and dknyjeans.com for good discounts on clothing). At the back of many stores (like Ann Taylor Loft) there is usually a section with racks of clothing on sale, and this can be a bonanza for the bargain shopper.

Some trendy pieces of spring 2009 fashion, like peasant blouses, bohemian skirts and sundresses, and embellished, global inspired tunics or printed tops can be purchased quite inexpensively at places like Old Navy, Target, H&M (and even K-Mart!) Shop carefully at discount clothing retailers--these stores are good places to pick up a few trendy spring 2009 fashion looks that won't break the bank, but quality can vary, so look closely at bargain pieces before you buy them.

I frequently save money buying a few key pieces of quality, rather than loading up on a lot of discount fashion. Last year I bought a few really cute cheap sundresses at Wal-Mart; however, when I got out of the dressing room and out on the street, I discovered that the cut and fit of these garments did not please me. At the end of the season, I ended up discarding these outfits, and throwing away my money. However, a DKNY sundress I bought on sale at Macy's a few years ago wears beautifully and is always appropriate (and thankfully, the global pattern of this dress is still very much on trend so I'll be hauling it out of my closet again this season!)

Spring 2009 Fashion: Shop Online Auctions and Consignment Shops

I recently fell in love with some beautiful, Indian inspired skirts by designer Chaudry, but I wasn't in love with the $100 price tag! Then I discovered that fashion by designers like Chaudry can be found for bargain prices at online auction sites like eBay.com. Simply type the name of the brand you are looking for in the eBay search engine; you can then refine your results according to type of clothing and price.

During a recent search for Chaudry spring 2009 fashion, I noticed clothing at auction from $1.99 to above $50. Check the seller's feedback rating carefully and look for merchandise that is never worn or new with tags. With the economy in decline, more and more department store clothing and designer overstock will be flooding sites like eBay, and the savvy shopper can score tremendous deals on spring 2009 fashion.

For spring 2009 fashion, everything old is new again. Some designers are channeling the eighties with neon brights, and others are revisiting the seventies with things like maxi dresses and bohemian tops. Consider shopping at consignment stores, flea markets and vintage shops to add a few authentic retro pieces to your spring wardrobe. Lots of people are cleaning out their closets to raise cash during the recession, so consignment shops might be a good place to look for bargains on spring 2009 fashion.

Spring 2009 Fashion: Shop for Inexpensive Accessories

You've shopped your closet, stocked up on a few versatile wardrobe staples, and carefully purchased a few new spring 2009 fashion looks, like some bright or flower printed tops or a bohemian inspired skirt. Buying a few inexpensive accessories to freshen your look is another way to save money on spring 2009 fashion. If you are really strapped for cash this season, a white tank or tee and some white jeans or neutral pants from your closet can be completely transformed with a few budget friendly spring 2009 fashion accessories like ethnic print or floral scarves, chunky necklaces, hobo bags, and neon bright shoes.

A beautiful scarf worn with a simple tank top, patterned skirt, some nice jewelry and fancy sandals can take you from day to evening. It is possible to spend very little on spring 2009 fashion accessories like inexpensive sunglasses, bold necklaces, and bangles and scarves, and careful use of these accessories can help you achieve a stylish spring 2009 fashion look.

If you simply must have the latest Tory Burch bag or Chanel sunglasses (and you know who you are!) investigate bagborroworsteal.com. This site lets you rent things like hot designer bags and sunglasses for a monthly fee, which is a lot less than what you'd pay for these pieces at retail stores. Plus, if you really fall in love with your rented accessory, you have the option to purchase the piece.

Spring 2009 Fashion: Repurpose Your Clothes

If you are adventurous, it's possible to save money on spring 2009 fashion by creating some of the hot spring 2009 fashion looks yourself. For example, distressed jeans are a trendy spring 2009 fashion look, so why not distress your own jeans with some scissors and bleach? Cut-offs are also cropping up as a stylish spring 2009 fashion trend; go to a flea market or consignment shop, or find a pair of old jeans in the back of your own closet, and scissor off the legs to create the look yourself!

Spring 2009 Fashion: Organize a Clothing Swap

Save money on spring 2009 fashion by organizing a clothing swap: scoop up all the clothes you no longer want or need, and set up a time to trade clothing with friends. Perhaps you've already been out shopping for spring 2009 fashion and there are a few mistakes lurking in your closet, pieces that on second glance just don't fit or flatter you. These pieces might be perfect for a friend, who might have some clothing to trade that would be ideal for your spring 2009 wardrobe. Organizing a fun clothing swap on an evening or weekend is an enjoyable creative way to add some new clothing to your closet (as an added bonus, this is also an eco-friendly way to expand your spring 2009 fashion).

By assessing your current wardrobe in an intelligent manner, shopping mindfully for a few key pieces to add to your closet, and exploring ingenious ways to build your wardrobe, you'll save money on spring 2009 fashion. Follow these tips for savvy shopping, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a recessionista!

Sources:

www.macys.com

www.dknyjeans.com

www.anntaylorloft.com

www.chaudryfashion.com

www.ebay.com

www.bagborroworsteal.com