“Because when I shop, the world gets better. The world is better, and then it is not anymore. And I need to do it again.”

We all remember Rebecca from the movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic. We all loved that movie because we can so easily relate to it.

We never have enough space in the closet, and we never have enough clothes either. We flip through the magazines; we drool over the celebrities. We all want to dress up like those red carpet stars in the Met Gala and Cannes festival.

Do you remember Lady Gaga’s gorgeous outfit and how she changed into three different ones on the same spot? We also loved Zendaya’s magical, fairy tale dress.

No matter how desperately we want to feel like Disney princesses, let’s accept the fact that we are Rebecca from the movie. We don’t have deep pockets like those celebrities; we can’t spend $4 million like Jennifer Lawrence to wear at the Academy Awards (and well no one is inviting us either).

However, we do have a magic potion to your problem. We will show how you can convert your inexpensive clothes into stylish, expensive ones (it is going to take more than waiting for a Fairy Godmother to swoosh her wand).

Dump the trends

When you are on a budget, you have to choose between trendy and classy. They aren’t an oxymoron neither do they go hand in hand. Why are we suggesting this? The answer is pretty simple, “trends don’t last.” Something might be perfectly healthy today but will get you weird stares the next day. So, you can’t keep changing your entire wardrobe on a short-term basis.    

Moreover, sometimes the trends aren’t the same for everyone. So what might look good on one person might not be a good fit for someone else. Hence, our advice is that you should wear whatever you are comfortable in and whatever makes you happy. If you are not comfortable wearing something both mentally and physically, don’t make room for it in your closet.

Make sure they fit right

Regardless of the price tag, a dress should fit right. Otherwise, it feels as if you are wearing someone else’s clothes. So even if you are buying for a discount, make sure that the dress fitting is good. Also, if it doesn’t, then find yourself a tailor and get it altered. It would cost you $10 to $20, but it would be worth it because no matter how expensive the dress, if it doesn’t fit on your waist or if the jeans, is too long, it will give a shabby and a cheap look.

Go Monochromatic

A dash of color is always nice, but heaping on colors and different patterns do not give a sophisticated look. There are specific colors that always give off a very classy look, no matter the trend or fashion. Solid black and white never go out of fashion, and hence you should have specific dresses in those colors. Royal blue and gray are some more colors that never go out of fashion. Royal blue is a roaring color that exudes dominance and intimidation. An elegant royal blue color that fits you perfectly will undoubtedly look classy.

Invest in the essentials

There are certain clothes that never go out of style and hence should be considered as staples for your wardrobe. Investing in them is better for the long term than investing hundreds of dollars in one evening dress.

Get hold of a nice black leather jacket because it always gives you that classy and edgy look. Pair it with a white shirt and black pants, and you can pull off any formal meeting. A custom leather jacket is even a better idea since you can design it according to your taste and wardrobe. Don’t go with something that is very flashy. You can also find something that is simple and elegant. Some jackets also come with fur. They are not very expensive, but they do give a costly look.

If you are not into leather or it is costly, then you can opt for imitation suede. It looks even more expensive than leather. So go for it.

The next staple that you should invest in is a trench coat. Introduced by Burberry, the coat not only keeps you warm but also adds a dash of elegance to your style. Go for a modern streamlined one in neutral shades of black, camel or taupe.

Also, you should put your money on a good cashmere sweater. A simple cashmere sweater in bold colors will serve you the best season after season since it never goes out style.

Embellish with accessories

The right accessories can take your outfit to the next level. In fact, with the right accessories, you can wear your one staple dress in three different styles. So what are some accessories that you need?

Pair basic white shirt and jeans with a colorful scarf and a cross body bag and suddenly your look will change entirely, or you can replace the scarf with a heavy, funky necklace too and nice heels for a Friday night look.

You can also get something delicate like an intricate choker or a beaded necklace to pull off a formal look. Such delicate jewelry adds to your overall look.

A good pair of sunglasses is an absolute necessity. You must admit that sunglasses completely change the way you look. If you are confused about which one to opt for, you can always get hold of the ever-green aviators.

Put on the right make up

Your makeup also speaks volumes about your personality; it is a reflection of who you are. Whether you prefer a gothic look with bold mascara or a very subtle look – it tells the other person about you. First impressions are the last impressions, and people do judge the book by its cover. Before people move on to your dress, the first thing they notice about you is your face. Hence, we suggest that you wear your make up with a lot of thought.

Try to match your make up with the color of your dress. However, don’t go overboard with it. We certainly don’t mean that if you are wearing a yellow dress, you should put on a yellow lipstick and eyeshade. What we are trying to convey here that there are certain tips that you should follow to carry that yellow dress perfectly. For example, your base should be natural; don’t try to outshine your dress. As for the lips, you can opt for a neutral shade rather than a bold red.  

Get a good handbag

A good handbag can up your outfit game. It is perhaps a wise decision to invest in a good designer bag than buying lots of cheap ones. However, in a tight budget you can look for other options as well. There are certain bags that are considered mid-range but are nonetheless quite impressive such as Coach, Kate Spade, or Marc by Marc Jacobs.

When you are selecting a bag, try to opt for a nude color or something that will go with most of your outfits. Buy one of each type. For example, you can have one crossbody bag, a good shoulder bag, and a work bag.

Get the right shoes

Do you pay a lot of attention to your outfits, but when it comes to shoes you just don’t pay much heed? Well, your shoes are like a cherry on the top; without them, your look doesn’t add up. You should know what type of footwear goes with which dress.

Like bags, you should probably own a pair of each style. Sneakers are a staple, and hence they should be a part of your wardrobe no matter what. Other than that, get nude heels; they are your best friend. Also, you should go for pointed heels rather than the ones with round edges.

See what works for you

Check your wardrobe for a pattern. Instead of trying out every other thing, try to figure out what works for you depending upon your figure and lifestyle. Once you see what looks good on you, you can buy similar items.

You might be thinking why you should wear the same stuff every day. We certainly don’t mean that. What we are trying to say is that if skirts look good on you, you should invest more in them rather than investing in something that doesn’t look good. For example, jump suits might not be your thing, but if you still wear them for the sake of it, then they wouldn’t give a very classy look despite the price tag.

Carry it well

Make sure that you are groomed as well. Buy a steam iron, so you don’t have to wear wrinkled clothes. Also, take care of your clothes. All the clothes come with laundry instructions. Certain outfits are only meant for dry cleaning and putting them in the washing machine will only ruin them.

In the end, everything depends on how well you can carry an outfit. If you want to give off a sophisticated look, you need to pay attention to every detail and not just the price tag.

Need A Massage? Learn How To Give One To Yourself And Your Loved Ones

7 months ago by Aaron 4 min read No comments

Receiving a massage, whether it’s given by someone else or self-administered, can help loosen your muscles and establish a better connection not only with your body but also with the people you love.