by Aisling Ashbery

Created on: August 08, 2009   Last Updated: August 10, 2009

Unless you have trouble finding time to shop because of all your photo-shoots and runway shows, chances are you don't have the money to invest in a wardrobe like a model does. But why should they be the only ones who look chic and trendy? You can dress like a model without doing critical damage to your pocketbook.

The key to dressing like a model is knowing how to look good in your clothes and keeping current with trends. Models are close to the fashion world every day, so they know what's going on and are expected to keep on top of the latest fads. But that's the hard part; no matter what fancy words we use to dress it up, like "trend," "modern," or "current," the fact is that the latest fashion crazes are really no more than fads. They come quickly, and sometimes they leave just as quickly.

They can come and go so quickly that it becomes difficult for the average woman to keep up with them. After all, do you have $700 to drop on a handbag that you might not want to carry this spring? Me neither. The trick is to know what to invest in and to know when to cut corners.

Usually, I'm a very fierce advocate of buying fewer pieces that are higher quality. I try to convince people to think of their clothes as an investment. But when you're looking for pieces that are trendy instead of timeless, the investment principal doesn't make sense.

Instead, you should invest in the pieces of your wardrobe that won't change from season to season. Look for really high-quality wardrobe staples like trousers, dresses, underpinnings ... you get the idea. Then, when you're incorporating trends, shop all the places where you know you can get a good bargain. It doesn't matter if you get so-called "disposable clothing" when you're looking for trends, because the clothing might very well be disposable if it isn't in style next season.

To find these deals, be prepared to do some hunting. Many department stores have great sales on trendy items like handbags and shoes, and while they won't be real leather, they will satisfy your trend craving. Surprisingly, thrift stores can also be a great place to look when searching for current trends. Most things that are "in style" are really just interpretations of something from the past. Look in thrift stores for vintage pieces that you can wear in a modern way.

Of course, the way to get the best of both worlds is to look for pieces that give nods to current trends, but that don't go too far. A great example right now is studs. Studs are really popular right now, but next year it probably won't be all the rage to have flats that are completely covered in them. So instead of getting a ballet slipper that's covered in studs, how about looking for one that has a few interesting studs instead? It shows that you are aware of the fashion world and that you're current, but once studs are no longer "in," it will just look like a fun detail.

By incorporating wardrobe staples with cheaper, trendier pieces, you can dress like a model without the runway paycheck. But be warned: shopping smart to dress like a model might lead to unwanted attention from the paparazzi.

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