Saving Money: Stretch Your Wardrobe While Maintaining Style

What to Wear? What to Buy? Or better yet, What Can You Afford to buy for the Fall and Winter 2008 Fashion Season? I've tried to approach researching this article several ways and it still comes down to two basic issues. What can I recycle or redesign to go with what's in my closet? And what can I afford to purchase? Since most of my extra money is now going in my gas tank, I am forced to rely on my old college skills of sorting through my closet to see what I can rework or how I might layer a summer item with a winter one. And I'm also resurrecting haunting local resale shops and purchasing items I can wear with more than one outfit. In the good old days, I just purchased it because I liked it. Now, I think, how many ways can I wear this?

My quest began for the perfect classic black dress, which of all places was in my closet! I purchased it several years ago and had totally forgotten about it until I was cleaning out my closet a few weeks ago. It had a metallic jacket over it which I can see using for an after 5:00 event. Once the jacket was removed, voila!, I had a nice little black classic empire dress. I can dress it up or down.

On my first outing, which was today, I found a cute little black and white hound's-tooth swing coat, perfect and only $14.99! Accessories are next and since vintage is in, as well as black and white, I added a pearl and jet necklace and earrings from my 1970's collection. Bold colors are also in style this season so I checked my handbags. I can add the red crock bag that I purchased on a whim or one of the new silver or gold metallic bags I purchased for $10 each. I know what you are thinking, where did I purchase purses for $10 each! I'll tell you my secret. One of my favorite stores is A. J. Wright in Clarksville, IN. They have the most wonderful colors! Today I saw so many hot fall colors like orange, red, olive, purple and even the classic black. I can wear flats or heels with this outfit but I think my days in heels are over, so I'm opting for the black flat suede boots I purchased last year after Christmas! And no, I did not blow all my Christmas money on them either, they were on sale and I used a gift card I had been saving from my birthday, which was in September. Talking about money burning a hole in my pocket!

I have a classic outfit, now I am ready to play, so back I go to my closet. Ah - ha, there's my red leather jacket, hum... I know it will go with the black dress, but what kind of jewelry do I want to wear with it? I have a triple strand coral necklace I made with a turquoise stone as the center piece, looks pretty good, so I'll go with that. And I can wear the black suede boots, but I have a pair of red boots I hardly ever wear, I think that will work! Add a basic black handbag and a pair of turquoise earrings I made and I am set! Or I can even wear the triple strand crystal, pyrite and lava necklace I made with some crystal earrings. Decisions, decisions......

When adding accessories this season, don't forget about adding splashes of color with leather glove. Select a color that will add punch to your outfit and that you will wear throughout the season. I am partial to red leather gloves, as wearing red makes me feel good! But hot pink would be great, as well as purple or olive. And ok, black leather gloves will work as well if you are going for a classic look.

Hats and scarves are also a wonderful fashion accessory. Beret's are back this season, so think about adding one as a staple to your wardrobe. I have a black Persian lamb's wool beret and I think it will look great with my new hounds-tooth coat! Adding a favorite broach or stickpin can add a bit of class and fun to your outfit.

In a past lifetime, I used to work retail. It didn't take me long to figure out that I could get an expensive look by purchasing a knock-off! So every season, when the new fall sales catalogues come out, I sit down and tear out the pictures of outfits I like. I start with something basic like a skirt or pair of pants I have that is similar to the picture. Then I make a list of the items that I would like to have. Each month, I put aside--say $50--and I purchase one or two of the items. I try and select items that I can rotate and wear with several other pieces. Today, I found the black and white hounds-tooth jacket, a beautiful deep aqua jewel tone sweater to wear with my black wool pants and the gold metallic handbag. My total for today, about $42.00! Well I did find two more items, but I paid cash and it was what was left from my allowance. Dillard's had some items 75% off with an additional 40%. I found a beautiful scarf that was originally $58.00 marked down to $14.99 and I got 40% off! And ok, I know I make and sell jewelry, but I don't make rings, so I bought one. I couldn't help it, it was big and shiny and I just love rings!

Today, I started working in my closet to reorganize it, at least the winter side. Since I am a visual person, I'll do better if I don't draw it out on paper. I know how I like to get started when I put together an outfit, so I'll try and arrange my closet the way my mind works. It does not matter how many articles you read on closet organization, if your closet is not set up the way you like to create, you won't have any fun putting your outfits together. Creativity is the key. It does not matter if the brown striped jacket came with matching pants, separate them in your closet so you can get the most bang for your buck!

And now, I present my idea on how to reorganize my closet as well as determine what I need to purge and take to Goodwill. I have a pad and pencil handy to jot down my notes and ideas!

I have a walk in closet and I keep summer clothes on the right and winter clothes on the left. Dresses, skirts and shoes are in the middle of the closet. I color coded the dresses and skirts like they do in retail stores, from light to dark. I also lined up my long cardigan sweaters in the same manner, next to the dresses. This way, I can select a short sleeve dress from the summer and a long sweater to extend the dress into the fall season. Next working to the left, I lined up the jackets from light to dark, then cardigans and vests.

I love to add at least one or two of the new colors to my wardrobe each year, and while we were on vacation this week, I found a great jacket! It has two shades of purple and a beautiful silver metallic thread running through it. I think it's in brocade. It is perfect for a gray, black or metallic shell, as well as my basic black dress. I recalled seeing a gray sweater dress in Kohl's Department store last week, so this morning I went over to check it out. It was on sale and I thought it would make the perfect day dress and companion to the new jacket. And as I still had birthday money, I purchased it! I selected the dress in a turtleneck style. As chains, pendants and the vintage look is back, I can add pieces from my vintage jewelry collection or a few pendants I have made like the black onyx heart or the crystal necklace.

A classic white shirt is on the list as well, whew, got that covered at least! And my notes say that deep royal colors are in and I've held onto a deep purple metallic blouse, as well as an olive one. Hum....it is recommended that gray be added into the color pallet to add class to the outfit. Good thing I kept those gray classic dress pants! Sorry, I'm jumping ahead in the organization chart! Next on the list is a cashmere sweater, so sweaters get organized next. Round neck first, v-neck next and lastly turtlenecks. They too are color coded in their categories. I also separated the casual shirts that can be worn with cords or jeans. I have a couple of shirts that I like to wear under my jackets, so I moved the ones I wear the most from their summer slots to the winter side.

My pants are on the bottom tear of my closet, so they are last. For some reason I have my jeans first, but in this arrangement, it works well because my casual tops are on the rack above. The winter side of my closet is now organized; don't even ask about the summer side, it's a mess! I'll tackle it next season!

Here's a quick review, feel free to borrow whatever works for you or to post suggestions!

1. Remember, your closet is your pallet, use it just like you do when you are designing jewelry!

2. When you bring home an item that has two or more pieces, separate them in your closet. It doesn't mean you can never wear them together, you just get to have a bit more fun and most important of all, stretch your wardrobe.

3. Remember to keep a pad and pencil nearby, so you can write down items you may wish to purchase.

4. Try organizing your clothing from light to dark. It helps you think about options you have never considered.

5. Remove any item from your closet you have not worn in a year! Keeping it only adds bulk to your closet. Besides, there is someone out there in need that will be grateful you cleaned out your closet!

6. Consider putting your outfit together the night before, add accessories and all, you'll find your morning will go much smoother and you aren't rooting through this drawer and that to find your gold earrings!

7. Have fun, you're creating a masterpiece....the perfect outfit for you!