We all know that buying a gorgeous new outfit or investing a little money in ourselves can have a dramatic effect on self-confidence. However, it’s been revealed that the average American spends only 3 percent of their income on clothing, with, perhaps unsurprisingly housing, transport, food and other essentials taking up the vast proportion of expenditure. Household budgets are often tight, with many people feeling the squeeze, but purchases or lifestyle changes that make us feel good are important too. The good news is that updating your appearance doesn’t have to be costly or hard work, in fact keeping yourself feeling stylish on a shoestring can be as easy as ABC.
A is for Accessorize
Truly stylish folk know that the right accessories can be the making of an outfit and they’re much more affordable. Accessories can instantly update your look and they also make your clothes more versatile too. A cute belt or some statement earrings can instantly elevate an ordinary daytime outfit. Or take your look from day to night by replacing flat sandals with killer heels, or an oversized shopper with a sparkly clutch. And while we’re on the subject of finishing touches, taking time to perfect your beauty regime can also make you feel amazing and it needn’t cost the earth. Try our hacks to getting fabulous hair or contact your local beauty school to see if they’re looking for models for their students to practice treatments on.
B is for ‘Buy Well’
Throw away fashion has its place (for example when trying to incorporate the latest fashion fad that you know won’t be here for the long haul) but stuff your wardrobe full of cheap items that fade quickly and lose their shape won’t win you any awards in the style stakes. By spending a little more a few quality key pieces, you’ll add a touch of class and timeless style to your wardrobe. Better made clothes are built for longevity, so the initial outlay will be offset by the ‘cost per wear’(i.e. the actual cost divided by how many times that item is worn. The Duchess of Cambridge is known for recycling her occasion wear, so if it’s good enough for royalty it’s good enough for us. And there are also ways to get great savings on branded quality clothing for guys and gals alike; find out how by reading this bombfell review.
C is for Create and Customize
What do all those expensive tailored outfits showcased on the runways of New York, London, Paris, Milan have in common and why do they look so good? They’re bespoke and made to fit, which means they hang, drape and move in harmony the model’s body. In this way, custom fit clothing is unlike anything you’ll ever buy off the shelf and let’s face it, who wouldn’t want a little haute couture in their wardrobe darling? Sounds expensive? Well, there is a way that you can get made to measure clothing as you like and still stay within budget. By learning to sew. Adding this age-old skill to your repertoire can open the door to a world of truly unique, custom-made clothing and the only limits are your imagination. And if you feel sewing your own clothes from scratch is a step too far you can still get the look by customizing clothing. Adding embellishments, piping, new buttons and detailing can breathe new lift into clothing and give it that expensive designer edge without the hefty price tag.
Staying stylish is a must for staying confident and feeling good about yourself. Far from being expensive, there are some easy ways to feel great without breaking the bank, all it takes is a little imagination.
