by Kimberley Heit

Created on: October 13, 2008   Last Updated: October 20, 2008

Staying in style this holiday season doesn't mean you have to break the bank or your pact to be environmentally friendly. This is because true style is about so much more then simply buying the latest outfit in a shop window. Looking stylish involves coordinating great outfits and wearing them with confidence. This can be achieved with very little money or waste!

Firstly you should take a good look at what you have in your wardrobe. You may be surprised at what outfits you can come up with if you have a good play around. For example, one simple elegant dress can be worn in a multitude of ways. Take a fairly basic LBD you could wear it with flat sandals and pearls for a daytime event or add a dressy pair of heels and some sparkle for the night. How about putting a blouse or cardigan over the top? People will think that you are wearing a completely new outfit because they will assume you are wearing a skirt. In reverse you could possibly layer a blouse underneath to change the look considerably.

Accessories are always touted as a great way to change the look of an outfit and appear finished. Consider again the LBD, how different could you make it look with simple accessories? For example, it would look quite different worn with a waisted belt, dangly necklace and boots as opposed to a pair of black fishnets or sheer stockings, heels, and a simple pair of diamond studs. There are a wide range of accessories you can use to create interest consider; hats, jewelery, belts, scarves and hosiery.

It is not unusual to be invited to attend several events over the holiday season, from work functions to family gatherings. Besides changing the look of an outfit, a great way to appear well dressed at different events is to form a clothes sharing club. Get together with family and friends and work out what you can borrow from one another for different occasions. For example, your friend might have something perfect for attending your husband's work party and you might have something suitable for her family Christmas Eve get together. Even if you are not the same size in clothing accessories could be shared.

Before committing to any new clothing purchases ask yourself whether you will get enough mileage out of the item. It is best to stick to classic clothing and workable accessories. Really think about all your purchasing options. Consider for example the rather new phenomenon sweeping the globe-swap parties. People bring along all the fashion items they would like to sell and

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