The Top Seven Ways to Dress Well on a Budget

Like to dress well but don't have deep pockets? If you arm yourself with a little information, you can "dress to the nines" WITHOUT going in the red.

Here's how:

1. Take an inventory of your closet and make a list of things you need. Buying from a list will keep you focused and curb impulse buying.

2. Buy the best quality of clothes that you can afford. They'll last longer, wear better, and ultimately, save you more money than buying inferior-quality pieces.

3. Buy classic styles. These will stand the test of time and not date you as easily as buying into trends.

4. Opt for mix-and-match separates. If you buy carefully, a little will go a long way. Five well-chosen shirts combined with two pairs of pants will give you ten combinations, for example. Two head-to-toe ensembles that don't go with anything else will only give you two combinations.

5. Try for a primary color scheme. Build your wardrobe around three to five colors that look good on you. Not only will this allow you more mix-and-match opportunities, it will reduce the number of accessories that you need.

6. Opt for solids over patterns. Solids mix and match more easily and are less easily remembered than prints...which will make you look like you have a lot more clothes than you really do.

7. Buy on sale whenever possible. Join your favorite store's mailing list to take advantage of "insider" sales notifications. Also frequent the designer "seconds" shops like Loehmann's, T.J. Maxx, and Frugal Fannies, and make the rounds of the consignment stores in the best part of town. With a little bit of persistence, you can find quality pieces at affordable prices.

Dressing well doesn't have to cost a fortune. If you take a little time to plan your needs and treat your wardrobe like the investment that it is, you can make a little go a long way. You can also look like you spend a lot of money on your clothes when all you're really doing is combining a few well-chosen, high-quality pieces.

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Diana Pemberton-Sikes is a wardrobe and image consultant and creator of Budget-Friendly Style, a seminar that shows women how to dress with champagne tastes on a beer budget.  Visit her online at www.fashionforrealwomen.com .

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