by Donna Cosmato

Created on: March 04, 2009

Inventing a new clothing style for yourself is fun, but it can be costly. One way to invent a new style in today's tight economy that is budget savvy is by choice of a foundational fabric. Choose one that is low maintenance, high comfort, and great feeling/fitting. A textile that rates high on the quality/comfort scale is what is commonly known as "slinky knit" or "travel knit" fabric. This is a unique blend of acetate with a very small percentage of spandex. It offers: a good hand, minimal or no cling, little wrinkling, and launders well. These garments can be rolled up, stowed in your favorite travel luggage, and shaken out when you arrive at your destination. No ironing needed!

After you have decided on your fabric, choose your foundation color. Think of fabric as your canvas, and color as your paint palette. Black is the color recommendation of choice. Why? Black is: professional looking, fashionable, easiest to accessorize, offers more mix and match options, season less, timeless, classic, slimming, SEXY! Add a few pieces to your basic black in a current fashion trend color and you will never be without a fashionable option. With basic black as your standard, you can invent a new clothing approach every season without spending a great deal of money.

Look at what the well-known designers are showing on their runways and adapt those styles, colors, or concepts to your own lifestyle. If the latest trend is lime green but the color makes you look like a cucumber, don't wear it as a piece of clothing. Use it as an accent - a belt, shoes and handbag, or maybe a chunky, bold bracelet. Visit your local library and study the fashion magazine issues. The local thrift stores are full of "fashion mistakes" - the wrong accessory for one person may be just the finishing touch you need!

Invent a new clothing style by investing in low cost accessories that will enhance your black garments. For instance, a hot fashion trend for 2009 is the colors papaya peach and kiwi green. Take your black slacks or skirt, add a blouse in a vivid print in one of these shades, and earrings that pick up and reinforce the blouse color. You have an outfit with impact, for the small investment of a new blouse and jewelry.

This black + current fashion color accessory concept will take you through an entire working career. You will look pulled together and fashion forward no matter what the occasion. Best of all, you have spent a fraction of the cost of new outfit!

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