Alright, I know you’ve seen this dress before (you can see our “Tweak Your Chic” model wearing it in this post, and me in it again right here), but a neutral shirt dress is a staple. That means it never goes out of style, and you can keep updating it to fit the current trends. Below is a video showing how I used this season’s layering trend to breathe new life into an old dress…and I didn’t have to buy anything new to do it! That’s the easiest way to shop on a budget – treat your wardrobe like a store and keep reinventing outfits!
For more ways to update your wardrobe on a budget, check out our eBook Chic on the Cheap!
Our new e-book on How to Update Your Wardrobe on a Budget
Two years ago I decided to go back to college. Most of my fellow students were the same age as my youngest child. I started looking for resources to help me update my look so that I could try to maneuver that area between not too young and not too old.
I have now graduated and am now at my new job in my new career. I have learned that wardrobes need constant updating and your emails give me ideas on how to do that successfully.
Several people I know are looking for new jobs or trying to hang on to current jobs. I am looking for ideas for summer – more stylish, career pieces that are easy on the pocketbook.
Thanks and keep up the great work.
Renee F.
San Marcos, Texas
Dear Renee,
We love the fact that you are making the effort to keep yourself updated, especially since you are competing for jobs in the workplace. Showing that you take pride in yourself and care about what is up-to-date makes you look even more like a go-getter in this tough economy!
That being said, there are a few trends popping up this summer that you can inexpensively add to basics you already have in your wardrobe. Some summer trends we see are: full skirts, splashy colors and prints, and flowy fabrics.
Of course, all together, these trends are not very age appropriate, unless you want to look like a little frilly girl playing dress-up in a nightgown. But, focusing on working one of these pieces into an outfit is totally acceptable, and will make you look very hip.
For example, here we took the full, colorful patterned skirt trend, and dressed it up for work with a modern, sleek short sleeve blazer. On the weekend, choose one of the colors from the pattern to wear on top, and wear it with a flat sandal. The idea is to use these pieces sparingly in a sophisticated way.
By using the new splashy summer prints, you can breath life into old separates. Look how this plain khaki blazer looks instantly more chic with a flowy, colorful skirt!
As far as staples for this season, invest in modern classics like a great fitting pencil skirt and cardigan sweater set. You will be surprised at just how many outfits you can create by mixing in fun items with these staples!
Adding touches of in-style items here and there not only makes your wardrobe look up to date, but it can save you money as well. All these pieces came from Kohl’s and KMart….and each piece is under $30 (it’s true!)! Mixing these inexpensive pieces with your quality basics will give you a great bang for your buck. Let’s face it — they’re probably only going to be popular for one year anyway!
We don’t have to be reminded that for most of us, this year’s wardrobe budget will definitely be shrinking!
This is devastating for those of us who LOVE to shop, or worse, for gals out there who are competing in the workforce trying to keep their jobs, or just look professional!!!
I (JoJami) had a client recently call me in a panic… She had been asked to give a speech to a group of business women, but had no plan for what to buy and was on a strict budget. Here’s the advice I gave her:
Find a jacket that fits your body type! (She happens to be tall, so I told her nothing too boxy and make sure that the bottom of the jacket did NOT hit her at the widest part!)
Pick a subtle color. If she wants to get a lot of use out of her new outfit, it needs to be neutral in color. Anything too bold or patterned could only be worn a few times.
Buy a scarf! If you pick a jacket that you don’t need to buy a blouse for, you can just tuck a scarf in and be done with it. Just wear the jacket buttoned or zipped up , and if need be, add a simple scarf and off you go!
Save money for some new shoes. The bottom line is you need to look good from top to bottom. I told her a nice pair of short boots (found at a shoe discount store) would look best if she was wearing pants. If you like to wear skirts, then some simple pumps will do for either pants or skirts.
Armed with some clear guidelines, she went to her local department store and found a long grey paisley jacket and co-ordinating grey pants. She found a black scarf and plans to wear it tied at the neck with the jacket closed. She admitted that she needed some new shoes and so settled on a pair of simple black boots and says she feels like she will look the part!
We’ve come up with some great tips to get your wardrobe looking great and not have to spend a fortune…. (like this pretty suit on sale from Nordstrom’s)
Start with a budget. Have you noticed that when you go shopping and pick up a new t-shirt, random blouse or shoes here and there it eats up your budget FAST?? Instead, start with a plan and stick to it! If you need to replace your work suit, then go and find it, don’t get distracted!!!
Shop at the better stores. RIGHT now is the time to shop at the good stores (Nordstrom’s, Neiman’s). If you do your homework you will see that these stores are selling gorgeous well-made items at a fraction of the original cost. BUT BEWARE – this will mean, picking through a lot of “stuff”… don’t get tempted to just buy random pieces. Make sure what you buy will make an entire outfit!!!
Pick a color theme and stick to it. Pick your neutral and build your wardrobe with it. For example, if you like chocolate brown, than pick all the colors in your blouses, shoes, accessories, need to go with it. Then all your pieces will go together. If you like black, then all your accessories should have some black in it.
Shop in your own closet first and make a list of what you need to update. This is one of the biggest steps woman fail to do. We just don’t take the time to see what they already have!!! Take an hour and go in your closet and try everything on. Have fun, making new outfits, and making a list of what you need to replace or add too to make entire outfits!! You might think you don’t have anything to wear, and be pleasantly surprised once you get going!
For more great style tips check out our Glam Plan – E book!
While down in Palm Beach , Florida recently, I (JoJami) had the pleasure of staying at Frenchman’s Reserve, a fabulous private golf course and spa resort.
After one of the most wonderful facials at their private spa, much to my surprise, the esthetician recommended that I use a few products from the drug store.
One of the products she suggested was RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. At $19.00 this Retinol rich cream will have your looking more youthful, with out shelling out the big bucks.
One of the most important keys to keeping our over 40 skin looking fantastic is exfoliating! Another recommended product was Olay Regenerist Thermal Mini-peel to keep skin looking bright and feeling clean.
One of our friends, Karen Hamilton writes a blog called The Best Kept Secret and she recently reported finding more great finds at the drug store. For example, Clarins has a fantastic product that rejuvenates and repairs skin called Double Serum Generation 6.
We have found that sometimes you don’t have to pay crazy prices for good products. Be aware that fancy packaging and pushy sales staff can be intimidating.
The main thing is no matter what your budget, keep skin well moisturized and drink lots of water!
Ever gone shopping, tried something on and wondered, “Does this look awful, or is it just me?” How do you really know if a new trend looks bad on you or whether you’re just stuck in a serious style rut?
Welcome to the Tipping Point- that place of limbo where you must decide to either give a new style a try, or just plain give it up!
Here’s are a few helpful Do’s and Don’ts to help get you off this fashion fence.
1. DON’T blindly listen to sales people
We’ve all fallen into the trap of relying on a salesperson to talk us into buying something, that deep down, we’re not crazy about. While there are some good salespeople out there, most are on commission. Although they mean well, they subconsciously do want you to buy, so always keep this in mind.
Better to listen to your gut about an outfit or develop a long term relationship with a particular salesperson that you like and trust and who won’t steer you wrong.
Also, be sure to take a good look at how the sales person has put herself together. If she’s not looking so chic, how can you expect her to help you look chic?
2. DO take it home to test drive
The wonderful thing about shopping these days is that most stores have excellent return policies. If you’re not sure how you feel about something, take it home and try it out. It can look very different at home the next morning when you are more rested or you are in a different light. Maybe you’ll even notice how well it works with something else in your closet or be inspired to keep it because of all the compliments you get from family members when you slip it on. Or, perhaps, you’ll realize that your instincts were right after all, and promptly return it.
Just be sure to keep the tags attached and keep all receipts and you should have no problem. Trust us…doing this a dozen times, you’ll become more confident in your fashion choices and have to use this tactic only the odd time.
3. DON’T say no to the first garment you try on
When a new style arrives in the store it can be so foreign that even though it looks fabulous on you, it feels strange. We recently had one client who we suggested try the new walking short and she was very dubious. The first pair she tried on looked great, but was still unsure, so she tried on several more pairs in different fabrics and cuts until she got comfortable with the look. In the end she bought the first pair she tried on and 2 others. She was thrilled with the elegant look of walking shorts. So lesson here, try on many of the same style to get comfy and pick ones that suits you best.
4. DO check out what other women are pulling off
If you’ve tried on a certain new style and you are not sure if it is age appropriate, take a day and people watch what other fashionable gals are doing with the look. If you think chunky platform shoes will look too young, see if other stylish 40-somethings have them and what they are wearing with them to make them look so great. It’s all about the total look, so check out the small details. What style of clothes is she wearing with the shoes, how has she done her hair,what other accessories is she wearing? Also, notice the quality of the shoes she has on. All these details can shape how this trend will look on you.
5. DO be prepared to make mistakes
When you’ve fallen off the style track (or you feel you’ve never been on it), it’s going to take a while to get back on board. Be prepared to get it wrong sometimes and forgive yourself. So,you thought it looked great. You gave it a chance, and a month later hated it. This will happen. Don’t beat yourself up. Developing your own personal style is a process.
6. DON’T buy clothes you are not in love with
In the end, the best way to determine whether a new style is right for you is to be in love with it. A client of ours tried on a pair of gorgeous lower rise jeans in a stunning green shade that made her eyes pop. The color and style were perfect, but she just didn’t feel good in them not matter how many times she tried them on. So we suggested she pass. The reason: If you don’t feel confident in what you are wearing you will never look fabulous. Never! That’s the bottom line and the perfect way to politely tell to a pushy salesperson to get her off your back.
Ever gone shopping, tried something on and wondered, “Does this look awful, or is it just me?” How do you really know if a new trend looks bad on you or whether you’re just stuck in a serious style rut?
