Tips on How to Build a Spring Dress Wardrobe on a Tight Recession Budget

A closet full of flowy, romantic dresses just in time for spring's blooms is usually a given for your average feminine fashionista, but sometimes a little creativity is required for filling that desired quota of daily options. During these difficult financial times, however, this seasonal staple can actually fill a closet without abusing the wallet. Take a look at the following tips on how to build a spring dress wardrobe on a tight recession budget for a few quick pointers.

Tip #1: Interchange cardigans with two or three neutral dresses. While the cooler days still aren't quite out of the forecast, dig up those fall cardigans and pair them with a few basic spring dresses. Choose neutrals such as black, beige, red, or navy and give them a pop of spring color with a cardigan you already have. When it comes time to re-wear that same dress, switch to another cardigan to keep it looking fresh.

Tip #2: Go vintage with the shifts. News flash....shifts are not a new obsession. They were around in the fifties and sixties as everyday wear, and you'll find armloads of them in vintage and secondhand shops. Load up on classic brands and styles, and let the timeless elegance of their design take you right through the season.

Tip #3: Interchange your boldest belts. Chances are you have a closet full of belts reserved for formal winter wear, but consider throwing them over your spring dresses (in much the same way you might with your cardigans) to give each one a new look each time they are worn. Pair a big gold buckle with a sleek shift, or add a white sash to a blue printed piece. Regardless of your choices, the belt should give the dress a completely new statement for each wear (think nautical, French, tropical, and any other popular spring dress theme).

Tip #4: Add tights to tunics. That extra-long tunic you donned with your jeans all winter long can be transformed into a chic spring dress. If you find the lengths a bit too short, wear them during cooler weeks and add a pair of colored tights. Otherwise, bare it all and go with the mini-length on purpose during warmer weather days.

Tip #5: Remove the straps from your old sundresses. That's right, even those sundresses from 1999 that you still have lurking in the abyss of your closet can be revived again with a little effort. Remove those spaghetti straps, and you'll have an instant tube dress that can be worn today. Take in the seams at the chest for a little extra support if necessary, or simply scrunch any extra fabric together with a brooch in the center. If the fabric is a little too last decade, add a cute hat and a pair of brown boots to go boho.

Tip #6: Add a little tulle to past season favorites. Shorter spring baby doll dresses with a little pouf at the base are big, so take out those bland, straight gowns and sew in a little bounce. Tulle is extremely inexpensive and can be purchased at any arts and crafts store. Just add a few layers beneath your existing dresses from the past few years.

From shifts to boho chic, the spring offers a bounty of options for the economically inclined. Extend the life of what you have and take advantage of what past seasons have to offer to fill up that warm weather wardrobe in no time.