by Jocelyn Guevara

Created on: June 15, 2008

You're excited because you are going on a date. You run to your room, and start plowing through your closet. There's the outfit you wore to a dance in high school, the outfit you wore to church last weekand a bunch of junk you can't believe you even own! You have no idea where to go. You need to find a new outfit and fast!

To avoid this crisis, try out a lot of new stores when you can. Familiarize yourself with different brands of clothing sold at different stores. Not everything that costs less is worth less. Outlet stores are an excellent place to shop. They carry many of the same clothing brands that the department stores carry for a fraction of the price. If you are on a really strict budget, head to the clearance rack. Ask friends which stores they prefer and why. If your friends don't shop frequently, you can also try looking online to find out what stores near you received good reviews.

Purchasing some clothing that is neutral in color and design will help ensure that you will always have something nice to wear. Make sure that the clothing you buy brings out your best features and fits nicely. Before making a purchase, try on the clothing, and examine how it looks from all angles in the mirror. If you are shopping with a buddy, you may even have them take a picture of how you look in the outfit and let you view it before you buy.

Never pay more than you need to for a style. The same styles that are found in expensive clothing stores can almost always be found in less expensive stores such as Old Navy, Ross Dress for Less, Beall's Outlet, etc. Be careful to observe what styles look best on your shape and size. Even if the color of an outfit brings out your eyes or skin tone, it will not look classy if it is too baggy, tight, or revealing. The inverse is also true: If an outfit fits nicely, but makes you appear washed out or dull, it should not be purchased.

The clothing you purchase, however, is not all there is to being stylish. You must also show that you have self-confidence by your posture and your facial expressions. When you are walking, stand tall, but not stiff. Don't hunch your shoulders or tilt your head up or down. Do not walk too quickly or too slowly. Smile, but be careful not to grin too big. Avoid nervous habits such as biting your nails, cracking your fingers, or messing with your hair.

It is also important to make sure that you are well-groomed. Your nails should be clean and polished, your breath fresh, your hair clean and styled neatly. To keep your breath fresh when you are running around town all day, you may invest in something like Oral-B Brush Ups and/or breath mints. Being groomed is good for both your appearance and your health.

If you follow this advice, you will find that being stylish on a budget is really quite simple. Small amounts of cash will buy you more than trash, and owing a big sum is sometimes more than dumb.

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