10 Tips to Stretch Your Wardrobe Dollars

1. Buy what works for you! - Don't waste yourwill "hang" better and last longer). Purchase items
money buying two-piece suits if you work in awith a good feel and drape to the fabric, and
warehouse! Take your job responsibilities intochoose clothing distributors that have a reputation
account when purchasing clothing for your career.for quality. It's not necessary to only buy wool,
If you work outdoors, buy clothing fit for yourwhen a better grade wool or polyester blend will
environment. Don't buy items that you won't feelwork as well initially. Buying a $400 suit for $175
comfortable in, because you won't wear thoseon sale is a really good deal, considering the fabric
items and that's wasted money!and construction of that suit will be better than
2. Stick to your best colors - Have a professionalthe $150 suit purchased on sale for $80. The
Color Analysis done to determine what the mostmore expensive suit will be worn more often and
flattering colors are for you. By sticking to thosecost you less per wearing. A less expensive piece
colors, you'll be assured that you'll always havewon't be worn as often and won't last, thereby
mix and match capability and you'll always lookcosting you more per wearing.
great! One of the foundations of Capsule8. Compatible shoes and hosiery - For a work
Wardrobing is the selection of 3 basic colors towardrobe, shoes and hosiery are the finishing
build a wardrobe on. Make sure they are the righttouch. Purchase quality shoes and take care of
ones for you!them. Shoes that are run down, scuffed and
3. Buy the right size for right now - Clothingshowing wear make you look the same way, no
manufacturers are not known for their adherencematter how polished and professional the rest of
to standards. Don't get hung up on what size theyour outfit. Job interviewers have been taught to
clothing is tagged as, get hung up on proper fit! Ifcheck out a prospective employee's shoes, and
the article of clothing feels tight, pulls or seemsfor entrepreneurs, prospective clients do the
stressed at the seams, it won't last as long, and itsame thing! If they don't look their best, it will
will make you look heavier in the process. Buyreflect badly on you. When you find shoes that fit
clothing that fits you well and it will not only makewell and feel good on your feet, buy several pair
you look better, it will last longer.in your foundation colors, and two pair of your
4. Purchase for Multi-season use - Try tomost often-worn color so that you can give one
purchase fabrics that are multi-seasonal. A heavy,pair a rest while wearing the other. Avoid fads in
textured wool jacket is only good for the coldestshoes and stick with classic designs like pumps
of weather, whereas one made of mid-weight orand sling backs for women, and wingtips or
lighter weight wool or wool blend could be wornoxfords for men. Ladies, stick with a heel no
with a sweater in cold weather and with a shirt orhigher than 2 ¾", and no lower than
blouse in warmer weather. You'll get more use½" for ease in walking and a reduced
from multi-season garments than those with achance of injury.
single-season focus.9. Organize and categorize - Once you've
5. Remember the basics - Suits and separatesdetermined your foundation colors for your
can form the foundation of a great workingwardrobe, you can organize and categorize your
wardrobe. Single and double-breasted long-sleevedclothing for easy selection and wearing. Hang
blazers with matching skirts for women or pantsjackets by sleeve length, color and garment
for men or women are essential basics. Save thelength, or combined with matching pieces to
novelty items for your casual days at home, orcreate ready-made outfits. Keep similar fabric
for accessory pieces. Don't try to build aweights close together to avoid putting a heavy
wardrobe around the "trend of the moment".wool jacket over a lightweight chiffon or silk skirt.
When the trend passes, you'll look dated. PurchasePut mix-and-match items near their foundation
basic building pieces to build your wardrobe andcounterparts for easier selection. Move items that
you'll be able to mix and match pieces to createneed cleaning to a specific area for easy pick up
lots of different looks with a minimal investment.and removal.
6. Accessorize with style - Every wardrobe needs10. Take notes for future use - Whenever you
a certain investment in accessories. Theare shopping, take along color swatches of your
considered use of scarves, jewelry and pins, tiesbasic colors and those determined to be right for
and pocket squares, and even hosiery, shoes andyou. Make a promise to yourself to stay with
hats can transform ordinary clothing intoyour correct colors, and keep notes of what
something extraordinary. Determine whether yourbasic foundation items you already own. No one
coloring is cool or warm and let that guide you inreally needs 10 virtually identical black dresses or
choosing accessories, especially metal jewelry. If10 identical black suits! One of the guidelines of
your coloring is warm, gold will emphasize theProfessional Wardrobing is to make sure that any
glow in your skin. If your coloring is cool, chooseitem you purchase must either be compatible with
more silver, platinum or white gold to emphasizeat least two other items in your closet, or it must
the contrast of your skin. Combining smartbe a foundation garment that could be combined
accessories with a basic wardrobe ensures you'llwith other pieces to create many other outfits. In
always look coordinated and polished, notthis way, you'll be sure to maximize your clothing
thrown-together or haphazard.dollars and create a terrific wardrobe.
7. Buy quality over quantity - When purchasingMake the most of your clothing investment by
clothing, consider buying items that are fully linedusing the principles outlined above, and you'll
versus only partially lined or unlined (the clothingalways be impeccably dressed!