New Year, New Wardrobe! – 5 Steps to Inexpensively Update Your Closet

Happy New Year! It’s a new year and new you! Well, you are already pretty awesome and savvy, but you need a few new add-ons to ring in the new year.  Here are five steps to inexpensively to update your wardrobe for the new year.

1. Analyze your closet. Yes, I know hun, you are probably thinking “My closet? I never have anything to wear.” Us girls do fall victim to the “nothing to wear” cliché, but you should always look to your current pieces to minimize costs.Categorize work clothes from happy hour clothes.  Seasonal clothes should be labeled and put away. If you no longer have a need for something, then donate it to a local organization, like Salvation Army or Goodwill, or sell on eBay, Craigslist or a co-signment shop (this will help with your wardrobe budget). Once you are rid of the clothes, you should come up with several looks.
2. Set up a “wardrobe” spending plan.  You’re new in your career and you have other bills, so you have to be very realistic about your “wardrobe” budget. Your plan should only be between twenty to thirty percent of your discretionary budget. Also be sure to set spending plan per item. For instance, I tell myself when shopping, “I refuse to pay more than $50 for a cream blouse.” This helps me understand that I am only there to shop for a cream blouse, and to walk away if I cannot find the item in my price range.
3. Invest in accessories and basics. From first grade to my senior year in high school, I wore a uniform. From day-to-day, my peers and I wore the same exact color palette of gray, navy blue and white. What I learned from my years in prison, I mean school, was that the right accessories could complete a look. Some days I would “edge up” my uniform by adding a tie or vibrant jewelry. I also became a huge sock and stocking fanatic. Argyles, stripes and polka dots were my best friends for 12 years. When shopping for jewelry, always look for something that you can make YOUR statement, and be ready for the influx of random compliments.Basics are helpful as well. A basic tank can be worn at work under a blazer, or a sheer blouse that would be deemed as inappropriate office attire. Basics are interchangeable and can be worn in all seasons. Both options are also cost effective.
4. Buy classics. The white blouse, a LBD and black pumps are items that are very safe, can be played up with accessories and will last you for years to come.
5. Buy trendy clothes from mass produced retailers. If you would like to buy a peplum, glittery sweater, or any clothing that are the pantone color of the year (by the way, Emerald City is the 2013 color of the year), you should always buy from mass produced retailers. Trends only last for a few seasons and then they are gone. Stores like Forever 21, H&M and Zara are perfect places to get trendy styles and are so inexpensive; it is easier to part ways with the articles of clothing once you’re done with them.

For more fashion tips, check out Pink Velvet Kisses or ask me any questions on Twitter @pink_kiss_deuce.

Photo Source: StyleBakery