by E Ware

Created on: June 12, 2008

Are you often pining after those cute new shoes at Nordstrom's? Or do you hope desperately that a friend will nominate you to be on TLC's "What Not to Wear" just so you can get a free hip wardrobe? Or have you completely given up on looking fashionable because you simply feel you cannot pay for it? If any of these scenarios describe your feelings toward fashion you're not alone, and the good news, there's help!

All it takes to be fashionable while still keeping within your budget is to shift your thinking from trends to classics with some of your personal flair mixed in. Yes, that's right. You don't have to have every new blouse style or accessory once it comes out to be stylish. All it takes is some wardrobe planning and smart shopping habits.

The basic principles to follow when planning your wardrobe are: Keep it simple and only use faddish accessories sparingly. The smart wardrobe-planner follows these rules

*Purchase classic pieces that can be used in more than one type of outfit such as a tailored button-down shirt or classic slacks. These can be either dressed up or made casual.
*Most importantly, buy items that fit and that you feel comfortable and confident in.
*Do not spring for expensive trendy items that won't get used for years to come.
*Keep your color choices to a minimum (use only a handful of key colors).
*Only use color choices that coordinate (look good together) in different combinations.
*Mix in only one new color with each new season, rather than needing a whole new color palette each season.
*If you're perplexed about color options, here are some simple color basics:
Black/White
Browns
Red
Navy Blue
Denims

There is something to be said for having the know-how of a bargain shopper. Many people claim to be bargain shoppers. Are any of them your friends or family? Learn from them. Go shopping with them to see how they do it. Some simple rules to follow:

*Head right to the sale rack when entering the store. Do not be tempted to shop at the full price merchandize. Depending on the retail location, these full priced items may be on sale within 2 weeks of initial shelving!
*Shop at discount stores for bargain buys
*Shop clearance racks during the last month of the season for the best deals
*Shop after major holidays. Retailers need to unload merchandize that was not snapped up during holiday shopping times.
*Use coupons and special offers when shopping online. Opting in on your favorite online stores' mailing lists could lead to great deals. You can also check for special offers and promotion codes with online coupon aggregators such as RetailMeNot.com and similar.

One word of caution to those learning or new to bargain shopping: This can be habit-forming! Remember your deal-wheeling skills should only be used as the method for shopping when you need to update part of your wardrobe; and not simply for getting a good deal on anything!

It doesn't require extra money or fashion-savvy to be stylish on a budget. All it takes is a little planning and time and attention with your wardrobe choices. The payoff of being stylish goes well-beyond the time and money spent on your efforts. Just think how much more polished that prospective employer or current boss thinks you are or your significant other or potential mate if you're playing the field! Feeling great in your clothes transfers over into your behavior, you will BE more confident with your put-together outward appearance. You owe it to yourself to shine in the world!

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