10 tips to stretch the money in your wardrobe
1. Buy what works for you! – Don’t waste your money buying suits if you work in a warehouse! Keep your job responsibilities in mind when shopping for career clothing. If you work outdoors, buy clothing that is appropriate for your environment. Don’t buy clothes you don’t feel comfortable in, because you won’t wear them and that’s wasted money!
2. Stick to your most flattering colors – Get a professional color analysis to determine which colors are the most flattering for you. By sticking to those colors, you’ll be sure they’ll help you look your best, you’ll have the ability to mix and match outfits, and you’ll always look great!
3. Buy the right size for now – Clothing manufacturers are not known for their compliance with standards. Don’t get hung up on your clothing tag size, stick with the right fit! If the item of clothing feels tight, pulls, or seems stressed at the seams, it won’t last as long and will make you look heavier in the process. Buy clothes that fit you well and will not only make you look better, but will last longer. Don’t like the size to be visible? Cut it carefully, but leave the care label intact. Wearing clothes that are too tight makes you look even bigger; wearing clothes that are too big just makes you look sloppy.
4. Purchase for multi-season use – Try to buy fabrics that are multi-season. A thick, textured wool jacket is only good for colder weather, while one made of a mid-weight or lighter wool or wool blend can be worn with a sweater in cold weather and with a shirt or blouse in warm weather. . You’ll get more use out of multi-season garments than those with a single-season focus.
5. Remember the basics – Suits and separates can form the basis of a great work wardrobe. Single-breasted and double-breasted long-sleeve blazers with matching skirts for women or trousers for men or women are must-have staples. Don’t try to build a wardrobe around the “trend of the moment.” When the trend passes, you will look old-fashioned.
6. Complement with style – Every closet needs a certain investment in accessories. Thoughtful use of scarves, jewelry, and pins, ties and pocket squares, and even socks, shoes, and hats can transform ordinary clothing into something extraordinary. Determine if your color is cool or warm and let that guide you in your choice of accessories, especially metal jewelry. Combining smart accessories with a basic wardrobe ensures that you always look coordinated and polished, not messy or messy.
7. Buy quality over quantity – When shopping for clothing, consider buying items that are fully lined rather than only partially lined or unlined (clothes will “hang” better and last longer). Buy items that fit well and drape the fabric, and choose clothing retailers that have a reputation for quality. There is no need to buy just wool, when a better quality wool or polyester blend will work well initially. Buying a $400 suit for $175 on sale is a very good deal, considering that the fabric and construction of that suit will be better than the $150 suit bought on sale for $80. The more expensive suit will be worn more often and will cost you less to wear. A less expensive part won’t be used as often and won’t last, so it will cost you more per use.
8. Compatible footwear and socks – For a work wardrobe, shoes and stockings are the final touch. Buy quality shoes and take care of them. Worn, worn, and distressed shoes make you look the same, no matter how polished and professional the rest of your outfit. Job interviewers have been taught to check a prospective employee’s shoes, and for employers, prospective clients do the same! When you find shoes that fit and feel good on your feet, buy several pairs in your basic colors and two pairs in the color you wear most often so you can rest one pair on while wearing the other. Avoid fads in shoes and stick with classic designs, like pumps and straps for women, and wingtips or oxfords for men. Ladies, stick with a heel height you can walk in, and if you have larger feet, consider a smaller heel to decrease the apparent length of your foot.
9. Organize and categorize – Once you’ve determined the base colors for your wardrobe, you can organize and categorize your clothing for easy selection and wear. Hang jackets by sleeve length, color and garment length, or mix and match with matching pieces to create ready-to-wear outfits. Keep similar fabric weights together to avoid layering a heavy wool jacket over a light chiffon or silk skirt. Put mix and match items near their base counterparts for easier selection. Move items that need cleaning to a specific area for easy pick up and removal.
10. Take notes for future use – Whenever you go shopping, carry color swatches of your basic colors and those that are determined to be right for you, or if you have a smartphone, consider using one of the wardrobe planning apps built for the device. Make a promise to stick with your main, basic, and accent colors, and take note of the basic foundation items you already own. No one really needs 10 virtually identical black dresses or 10 identical black suits!
Get the most out of your clothing investment using the principles outlined above, and you’ll always be impeccably dressed!