How Your Closet Can Survive a Recession

Economic times are tough. In most households, there’s not a lot of extra money for indulgences. However that doesn’t mean your wardrobe has to suffer. With some planning and forethought, your closet can survive a recession. Follow these simple tips to look fabulous on a budget.

Clean Out Your Closet
The first step is to take inventory of what you have. Head to your closet and divide your clothes into several piles.

Keep – These are clothes that you wear regularly.
Fix - These are clothes you’d like to wear but need repairs.
Sell - These are clothes that are in good condition but don’t fit or you don’t like anymore. Sell this clothing on eBay or to a consignment shop.
Donate - Like the sell pile, these clothes are also in good condition. If you don’t want to go to the trouble of selling them, you can donate to the Salvation Army, a women’s shelter or another local charity. Get a receipt for your taxes.
Toss – These are clothes that are so hideous or worn out that no one can use them. Take them to the trash.

Organize your closet in the way that makes sense to you. If you are someone that color coordinates your outfits, sort by color. If you wear suits everyday, put those in the front and your more casual clothes in the rear.

Take Inventory
Once your closet is clean and organized, take inventory of what you have and look for versatile pieces that can work with a multitude of outfits. A silk print blouse can be paired with a suit for work, a mini skirt for a party, or jeans for a casual date.

Some versatile pieces that can be staples in your wardrobe for both the workplace and weekends include:

• Little black dress
• Blue jeans
• Black slacks
• White blouses
• Print tops
• Pencil skirts
• Cardigan sweaters
• Tanks and camisoles
• Ankle boots
• Patent pumps
• Heeled sandals

After your inventory, you should have a good idea how many outfits you can make by mixing and matching your staples. If you have any obvious gaps in your wardrobe, it’s time to go shopping.

Put away a small amount every month into your fashion budget to buy some of the key pieces that you need.

Spend or Splurge?
When shopping on a budget, your first inclination might be to buy cheap. But don’t confuse cheap with inexpensive. Cheap clothes are low quality and probably won’t even last a season. Instead, stick to brands and designers that you know. There are plenty of ways to get name brand fashions at discount prices.

Follow my previous shopping tips on how to look great in 2009 by shopping at thrift stores and consignment shops, as well as online at sample sale sites and discount retailers.

Change Your Look With Accessories
Probably the easiest way to change the look of an outfit is with accessories. A little black dress can go from a business meeting to a cocktail party to the night club, depending on what you wear with it.

By changing your handbags, jewelry and other accessories, you can create multiple outfits from the same basic pieces of clothing. Accessories don’t have to cost you a bundle. Fashion jewelry, knockoff bags and other budget accessories can go a long way.

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Photo credits: Spacey / ElvisFan76 (sxc.hu)