Recessionista: High Style on Low Budget

Remix Your Wardrobe

If you're like many shoppers, there have been many a buying spree through boutiques and malls these past few years.. However, recent economic downturns have made even the most dedicated fashionistas cut back. In fact, a December 2008 survey study by BIGresearch, a consumer market intelligence firm, found that 92.2 percent of consumers were cutting out luxury handbags, specialty apparel, and high-end cosmetics.While you might not be adding to your wardrobe, savvy dressers know to shop their closets. Your hangers are brimming with great items to remix for this season.

The Dress

Chances are you've got a dress or two hanging in your closet. Or five. Or ten. Recent seasons have been huge for dresses, with frocks accounting for 44 percent of the 2007 dollar volume growth in apparel, according to marketing firm NPD Group, Inc. Dresses are a great go-to item since they are versatile and create an instant pulled-together look. They also come in a range of styles to flatter any figure. Remember as you review your greatest hits: prints are most flattering if smaller than your largest/most prominent feature—assuming you want the focus on you, rather than on your clothes.Strategy: Audition the dresses in your closet. The ones that fit and flatter get to stay center stage. Brainstorm accessories that match. The ones that seem a little outdated or less flattering? Give them to charity, to a friend, or consider selling them to a resale shop to fund your own next purchase. Using that resale profit to purchase shoes in a nude tone to pair with last year's rave review dress is a great way to achieve high style on a low budget.

Evening Shoes

The "dressing up" trend naturally led to footwear that matched. In 2006, NPDtells us, sales of evening shoes rose 13.5 percent. That’s a lot of shoes!Strategy: Let them outta the box. Don't hide them away for the gala or formal wedding that might not come. If you work in a creative field, dare to pair your dressier shoes with a solid-colored pantsuit or shift dress for a classy punch of interest and flair.

Belts

Thick belts. Loads of tiny thin belts. The belt cinched its place in our wardrobes for its ability to create drama and a slimming effect.Strategy: Let your belts give new life to an old suit or dress. Consider wrapping them around looser pieces, like cardigans to create a defined silhouette with any outfit. If you’re petite or full figured, keep the belts narrow. A longer body? You can carry a wider belt to flattering effect.

Accent jackets

No sleeve, short-sleeved, ¾-length-sleeved: In recent seasons, these unique pieces showcased interesting fabrics and silhouettes and were a departure from the boring matchy-matchy blazer.Strategy: Review your collection and oust any pieces that “seemed good at the time.” Keep the rest in regular rotation and wear in place of a sweater or standard jacket for maximum use. Don’t forget these jackets will extend the wear of your summer sundresses from warm weather into Fall.

Statement jewelry

These are the pieces that spoke before you did: the too-long strands of pearls, the chunky necklace and the oversized rings.Strategy: Identify the pieces you love and that enhance your personal appearance. These are often the ones that have instinctively become your favorites. Use an oversized necklace to take a day shift into evening. Find new real estate for those oversized brooches, pinning them onto belts, bags and waistbands adds unexpected interest.