Can you dress smart without spending much?

What’s the first thing most of us do when we get our paycheck? Shop! I know it’s not easy to stretch the budget nowadays but dressing smart, doesn’t have to mean spending a lot on clothes. Even though the times are hard, we shouldn’t neglect the way we look. After all, looking good makes us feel good – something we all owe to ourselves after working hard.

Here, women answer the question: Is it still possible to dress – and spend – smart in these crisis-filled days?

APPLES ABERIN-SADHWANI, editor, Bride and Home magazine: Definitely! Dressing smart is not about the price or the brand of your clothing. It’s about dressing according to your age, lifestyle, personality and body type. Of course, good grooming is always a must.

On a more practical level, it helps to know where and when to shop: bargain centers, bazaars or during sale season here and abroad. The key is developing an eye for quality goods that fit well and won’t cost an arm and a leg.

MARITONI RUFINO-TORDESILLAS, ballerina/directress, Danspace: Yes, of course. Most of my clothes are from local designers – Jill and Due of Rustan’s, Black Shop, Dressing Room, Fish and, of course, Janylin. Fortunately for me my type of work does not require me to dress up all the time so that helps a lot. Better yet I "shop" in my mom’s closet.

PIA REGALA, designer of Jill and Luna of Rustan’s: To dress smartly on a budget, I would first select pieces that are made of fabrics and colors that are versatile for day and night, like knits and shades of black or white. I would also stick to simple silhouettes that should be well cut to fit the figure properly. I’d also add an interesting accessory like a good bag, pair of earrings or watch.

CORCOR DIZON-AGUSTIN, owner, Bayo: Yes, smart dressing need not be expensive. In fact, if we watch the smart dressers closely, they are not dressed in designer clothes head to toe. Smart dressers are those who know how to mix and match expensive pieces with affordable ones. It’s just a matter of knowing where to get good quality and affordable clothes. It’s also a balancing act. Spend most of your budget on your shoes and bags. Scrimp on the trendy stuff – they come and go very fast anyway. Buy a lot of basic and classic clothes which last longer. You can update your classic pieces through your accessories. In Bayo, we try to offer a wide selection of good quality classic and basic clothes for the wise shopper.

PATRICE RAMOS-DIAZ, designer: Possible! The key is learning how to create a variety of looks with a minimum number of pieces through mixing and matching and by accessorizing. Know the color range. Add a couple of the current fashion colors, prints, texture, or pieces with the current silhouette or lengths to update the look.

Recycle: Look for old pieces in your wardrobe that you can jazz up, shrink or cut. Be resourceful: Try going to places you never dared shop in before like bazaars, tiangges, the likes of Tutuban and Shoppesville. You’ll find the generic stuff like tank tops, jersey skirts, classic white polo shirts, etc. Avoid anything too trendy, it’s really such a waste of money. And most importantly, support the local fashion industry! We have a great number of talented designers, one doesn’t have to go far to find fashionable clothes.

FIONA LUCAS, fashion assistant, Metro magazine: Yes, you can definitely dress smart without spending too much. A key to this is to make sure you have the essential pieces in your wardrobe. The crisp white shirt, black slacks and jeans are definite must-haves. With classic items like these, you can’t go wrong and you can always mix and match them with trendier pieces for a more updated look.

For our purpose, I’ll focus on women in their mid-20s and above with a budget that falls into three price ranges: P700 to P1,000, P1,500 to P2,000, P2,500 to P3,000.

If your budget is P1,000 or less, you might want to visit Red Lane at Ayala Center or the tiangges in Greenhills. These places are treasure chests of affordable knockoffs. Here you’ll find a lot of basic and stylish knits, T-shirts, button-down tops, capri pants and slacks. These are also the best places to keep up with today’s fashion without hurting your wallet. Why splurge on items you won’t necessarily wear after a month or so when you can buy something similar for less the price?

If you’re willing to spend up to P1,500-P2,000, look at local brands like Bayo, Anonymous, Sari-Sari, Human or Bench – these stores carry separates that you can mix and match. If you want something trendier, visit Folded & Hung and People are People. Department stores also carry a lot of nice local brands. Check out Jill at Rustan’s for classic linens in different colors. I suggest spending more on clothes that are timeless because even if they cost more, you are paying for the quality. When you divide the cost by the number of times you wear the item, you’ll see that you are getting your money’s worth.

You can spend up to P2,000-P3,000 on classic yet stylish ensembles or invest in a nice black dress from Mango. For denims, visit Levi’s to find the right pair for you. Drop by CMG, Janylin, or the accessories section of Rustan’s because it’s always nice to invest in accessories, shoes and bags to spruce up your wardrobe and complete your look.

One final tip: budget aside, dressing smart also means that you have to be honest with yourself. You may be dying for that lime-green top but it might not be the right color for you; you may have found the right pair of black slacks but don’t insist on squeezing into a size that’s too small. Proper fit makes a big difference and you will look better wearing something that falls well on your body. Remember: Fashion isn’t so much about how much you spend for clothes as it is about how good you look and feel in them. So dress smartly and shop wisely.

LIZA ILARDE, Mega fashion and beauty director, Meg editor-in-chief: Absolutely! I can take you to the mall right now and get you a smart outfit for a thousand bucks. Well, maybe not. But there are some tricks to consider. Choose well-made pieces in solid, neutral colors, in classic cuts and in the right size. Nothing too snug or too baggy. Pick up streamlined accessories – shoes, bags and jewelry – to pull the outfit together. Make sure everything is pressed and polished with no dangling threads; that you have clean fingernails and fresh makeup. Finally, the attitude! Sounds like a lot of work but it’s easy to dress in designer clothes from head to toe and look cheap.

AGOT ISIDRO-SANDEJAS, actress: Definitely. There are a lot of stores that offer great pieces at bargain prices. A keen eye for style and detail helps, of course. One can always go for the more expensive item, of course, as long as it will last forever. Attitude counts more than the clothes – and it doesn’t cost a cent!