Recession Proof Your Wardrobe

I know a lot of people out there are feeling the grips of our country's recession but still want to be fashionable. I am no different from you. I love a good deal and I have a passion for fashion that has been suppressed for about a decade. I say suppressed because I was in the military and I had to wear a uniform day in and day out. Now, I still had my off duty fashion opportunities so I always went all out on the weekends and evenings. Now as a brand new civilian I had to trade my combat boots for high heels and I couldn't be happier. You see I miss the military but I never got to show my individuality, which was a negative for me. I love to express myself through my outfits and hair styles and now I am able to do this freely. This is a big transition for a woman who has been wearing a uniform for over a decade. I want to help other women who are on a budget and need just a few tips to get them moving in the direction they want to take their look. Stay tuned for my fashion secrets and tips for finding great deals on wardrobe essentials.

Everyone needs classic wardrobe pieces to start a base wardrobe. These are pieces that do not go in or out of fashion. They are timeless pieces that mix and match well with pieces that are trendy or seasonal. My list of classic wardrobe pieces are as followed:

1. Little Black Dress (LBD)

2. 3 Piece Black Suit (Jacket, Skirt, Pants)

3. White Button Down Collared Shirt

4. Dark Wash Jeans

5. Black Patent Leather Handbag

6. Black Pumps

7. V- Neck Top

8. Fitted Jacket or Coat (Season Appropriate)

9. Pencil Skirt or A-Line Skirt

10. Pearl or Diamond Necklace & Earring Set (Cubic Zircona Works Too)

11. Black Leather Belt

12. Nude, Black, or Opaque Black Hosiery or Tights

The way to get more bang for your buck is to strategically purchase items that coordinate together in a cohesive way. The way to do this is to build a wardrobe capsule so you can mix and match your wardrobe to get the most use out of each piece. The way to begin building your first wardrobe capsule is to start with three colors you like that work well together. For this example I will use my favorite combination which is: Black, Red, and White.

I use black with most of my capsules because I feel the most confident wearing black due to the slimming effect it has on my figure. I also use brown, gray, navy, and cream frequently because they are considered neutral colors and work well with an array of seasonal colors.

Ok so on to how a wardrobe capsule works.  It's easy to turn 3 tops and 3 bottoms into 9 outfits.  The key is that all 3 tops must coordinate with all 3 bottoms to create these 9 looks.  It's about rotating what you have to get the most use out of each item and working with what you have.  The wardrobe capsule concept works the best with solid color pieces but is very doable with patterns if the colors in the pattern match each of the 3 bottoms. 

The key to beginning your journey to utilizing your wardrobe to the fullest is to purge your closet.  Then you can begin putting together your first capsule.  I also want to point out that accessories take this capsule concept to the next level by just adding a bold necklace, scarf, or jacket.  The possibilities are endless now and you will be able to get the value of your dollar for your wardrobe.

I know these tips will encourage all the fashionistas out there to take charge of their wardrobe and save money.  Please leave feedback on your experience with the capsule wardrobe concept.