by Kathy Deutsch

Created on: October 08, 2008   Last Updated: October 20, 2008

The holiday season is almost upon us. And who doesn't want something special to wear? It feels good to have a nice outfit when visiting, entertaining, or having family visits at home. I even wear a "holiday top" while baking cookies! I have several tricks for stretching a dollar while dressing well for the season.

First, I sit down with a pencil and paper and think about what events I will be attending and what entertaining I will do. If it is going to be a busy time, with concerts and parties, I know I will need something glittery and easy to wear. If it will be a quieter time, with fireside family visits and cooking, I consider soft and fuzzy clothing. Washability is high on my list as well. I won't consider dry cleaning.

List in hand, I shop my closet first. Is there something I already own that will work for the holiday season? Maybe a green turtleneck that can go under a holly-trim sweater? Red, green, deep blue and metallics are all colors that look "holiday".

Thrift stores and consignment shops are next on my list for holiday wear shopping. Years ago I came to the conclusion that the top is what counts. No one really looks at the bottom half of your outfit if the top is great. So I use dark pants or skirts with little trim and a smooth line. I consider the weather as well. Cold-weather wool or corduroy is perfect. And thrift shops are full of bottoms that are pre-washed (no shrinking surprises when you wash them), hemmed and ready to go. I also use thrift shops for plain-colored tops to go under sweaters. Consignment shops are perfect to find the knock-out holiday sweater or party jacket, perhaps worn once and at a fraction of the price of new.

My final place to go to add to my holiday wardrobe is...the fabric/craft store! They have sequinned patch motifs of everything from bells to snowflakes. Plus, they carry the fabric glue that sticks them onto a sweater I already own! These stores carry easy-to-make holiday jewelry, sweatshirts to decorate, everything to jazz up the clothes in my closet for the season. One year I bought a gray sweatshirt and painted strings of holiday tree lights all over it-looking as if I was entangled. I got so many compliments that year I now create a silly seasonal sweat each year. It always costs well under $10 and is a good conversation starter.

From closet to thrift store to craft shop, there are many places to go to spruce up a wardrobe for the season. The holidays are a great time to add something different to your routine. With a little imagination and planning, it does not need to cost alot.

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