Style without the gilt

Peggy Gugenheim, the famed heiress/ legendary art collector, once said, "There is nothing unfashionable about minding your purse." Of course, in this tight-as-a-corset economy, it’s quite scandale to level the national debt with your clothing budget. So rule of manicured thumb is to garner a collection of sensibly-priced clothing that will last you for more than just a nano-season. Should be fash-yon and versatile.

Keeping up with appearances shouldn’t be a question of which Italian/ French/ British designer’s name is printed on the label hanging on the back of your outfit. These days being fight means having the right look with a price that won’t put you on the streets. It’s perfectly reasonable to buy reasonable. However, you should also seek quality.

The important things that you should look at when scoring fashion finds are the fabrics, fit and color. Trends are ephemeral, so try to choose clothes based on who you are rather than what’s today’s flash-in-the-pan look. Try moving around in the dressing room while trying on the clothes. Bend a little forward and stretch a little on the side to test the resiliency of the fabric. It should not lose shape after a couple of tugs and pulls. The fabric should also have a comfortable texture. There should be a line wherein you do not compromise quality. If you feel like you’re wearing a buf-puf even if it’s so cute and cheap, ditch it! Clothes should be forgotten the moment they are put on.

Accessorizing is also a great way to update outfits to the current season without breaking the bank. Brooches, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and hair accessories can turn any drab outfit into fab. What I usually do is use different accessories in places they are not intended to be used. I pin my earrings as brooches, use my necklaces as belts and sometimes use my belts as necklaces. It’s all about having fun.