6 tips to look great while on a budget!

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      Its important to keep you wardrobe AND your wallet well stalked. Below I have put together a little step-by-step guideline to help you in the right direction to do so.

1. Go through your closet every season.
Every season styles change. Going through your closet can help you realize what you have, what you need and what you don't need. Organize your closet. My closet is organized by colors. Some people don't like the organization by color method because they feel it seems to much like a department store. But that's how I like my closet and it works for me. Maybe color coding isn't your thing...that okay. Just organize it to the way you like it. Plus going through your possessions might make you stumble across something that you thought you lost or misplaced. And you can ask yourself "Is it in good condition?" ,"Am I still excited to wear this?", "Is it still stylish or is it out of date?", " Does it feel fashionable or frumpy?" Your questions and answers will help you make a decision on what to do with it.

2. Clear out the clutter/ Organizing 
When you go through and organize your belongings, place them into five piles: Keep, Sell, throw away, and donate. Keep the items that you still love and feel fashionable in. Some may need to be sewn or updated (Maybe just adding some buttons or rhinestones to the sleeves or just whatever is in style for the season).

Sell the items that are pricey or well made but don't get you excited about wearing them anymore. You can sell them on e-bay or craigslist... or just bring them to a consignment or secondhand shop. The pieces of clothing that have wholes in them, throw them out. No one wants to see that, seriously. If an item of clothing really has sentimental value – like an old concert T-shirt or a sweater that your grandmother made for you – consider saving a patch of it in a jewelry box or scrapbook instead of letting it clutter up your closet. And donate clothing that’s out of date but in good condition or doesn't fit you anymore. There are plenty of worthy organizations that accept gently used clothing, shoes, and small household furnishings, like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and some Big Brother Big Sister facilities.

3. Evaluate the essentials

There are specific items that every woman needs no matter where you live or what your job is.

* A little black dress. ( You can pair it with basically anything)

* A classic understated white blouse.

* A pair of jeans THAT FIT.

* A trench coat. (They never go out of style)

* A pair of dress pants (black is best)

* A black pencil skirt.

* A basic neutral color bag.

* Classic sweater (a V-neck, scoop neck, or cardigan that you can throw over your shirt when the temperature drops)

* 2 pairs of pumps (black and brown)

* A pair of boots (flat or heeled, dressy or casual, depending on your lifestyle)

If you're missing any of these, put them at the top of your shopping list.

4. Build around the basics

Spend your money first on the essential building blocks of your wardrobe, like those listed above. These items should last for years, so it’s worth spending a bit more on them. When you have all of the basics, build around them according to what is in. Pay attention to what is in style and search for those. You don't have to spend a lot on the new merchandises in style because they come in and out. What you loved this season, next season it will be out. So hit up all the cheaper department stores instead of heading to Barney's or Neiman Marcus.

 

5. Put your pieces together.

  Before buying anything new. Ask yourself if you already have anything like it and what you can pair it with. Unless you're buying something for a special occasion, like a wedding, you should be able to come up with at least four fabulous outfit combinations you could put together immediately after buying this item.

6. Know what's trendy versus timeless

Once you've got lots of basic items that you can mix and match in your closet and hold on to for a while, you can start adding flair: fun clothes, shoes, and accessories that look cool now but may be past their prime by next year. Set aside a little bit of money to spend on newly trendy items that can freshen up your closet for the season. There's nothing wrong with following fads. Just remember that they don't last long; that's why they're called fads. So spend accordingly.