You’re torn. All that talk of a shaky economy makes shopping for a new wardrobe a little scary. But come spring, a new look is what most people crave.
Luckily, “you don’t have to spend a lot of money to look good,” says Barbra Horowitz, a Los Angeles- based stylist and author of “Closet Control: The Ultimate Guide to Revitalizing Your Wardrobe and Revolutionizing the Way You Store It” (Sterling, $22.95).
Revive your closet
Before hitting the stores, take a look at your closet. You may be able to update your wardrobe with just scissors, dye and an excellent tailor, Horowitz says. She reinvents clothes by dyeing them new colors, turning a dress into a skirt and top, and even shrinking pieces for new silhouettes.
For example, she had her rarely worn lavender suede Jimmy Choo shoes dyed navy to get another life out of them. (For $100, the result was a cobalt blue–a bonus because it’s a trendy color.)
With just a pair of scissors (no sewing!), you can revamp a plain T-shirt, says Horowitz, who has hosted “Tee Parties” at department stores for women to learn how to style their outdated T-shirts. (Check out myspace.com/closetcontrol for project details.)
Write a wish list
Make a list of what you need/want and carry it with you, suggests Joanne Stoner, chief executive of edressme.com, an online clothing store.
“If you see a bargain, don’t hesitate to buy it,” Stoner says. “You’ll be able to know what’s impulsive versus what’s needed. You’re more likely to be satisfied when shopping.”
Invest in the best
Consider the cost per wear of an expensive item you love, suggests Lauren Dimet Waters, editor of secondcitystyle.com, a blog and Web site that focuses on Chicago fashion and boutiques. “I’d rather buy investment pieces,” she says.
A pricey but flattering coat you wear every day may end up being a bargain in the long run.
Virtual deals
Most bargain hunters find deals online on such Web sites as eBay. Second City Style’s Dimet Waters raves about scoring a mink capelet on eBay for $10, plus $20 shipping.
“Every time I wear it, people say it’s fabulous. [I say] I know,” she says with a laugh.
One of author Horowitz’s tricks is to buy designer pieces from the past season on eBay. “Styles aren’t changing that fast, and no one is bidding on them,” she says.
Aside from eBay, Dimet Waters also recommends letrainbleu.com, basicboutique.com, trendora.com, styledrops.com, overstock.com and labelspree.com.
Tailor your needs
Wherever you shop, be sure to find a tailor. “Everything can look couture if it fits properly,” Horowitz says.
Dimet Waters changed a beautiful but unflattering cashmere wrap-style coat into a button-down style with the help of a tailor. “I basically made a new coat and wore it for another five years,” she says.
With a little ingenuity and patience, creating a new wardrobe on a budget is possible. Saving money and looking good? Sounds like a great start for spring.
