Often our wardrobe makeover budget is not big enough to dump everything and start from scratch. So being wise with your money and buying a few key pieces will bring your wardrobe to life without costing you the world, and at the same time make everyone believe you have been on a major shopping spree. The first place to start off with would be the items that you wear most often and these are generally the ones that age your look or dull your style.
New shoes
If you think about it, your shoes are generally the item that you wear the most often. In general we are limited to a few pairs that you wear day in and day out. A pair of shoes has the ability to change the entire look of an outfit for better or worse. Different types of shoes also make you walk in a certain way. A good pair of shoes will give you both comfort and style. When you feel more comfortable you become more confident. So a good pair of shoes has the ability to instantly change your look and make you more self-assured.
Whether it is a more formal or casual pair, if your budget is limited make the choice to buy a pair that is good quality, comfortable and a style that will last for at least a season or two. The best colours to go for particularly with a formal pair of shoes are black or brown with black being the most popular because it matches everything. In terms of style ankle length boots are big and they will continue to be for the next few seasons and then shape, the narrow fit with the pointed slightly rounded front or slim square front, will go with any outfit and create a classic sophisticated look. Also remember to keep the sole flat and leather, an absolute fashion blunder is thick chunky rubber soles with a square front.
Eyewear
Essentially everybody owns a piece of eyewear whether its optical lenses or sunglasses. Our eyewear can make a big statement and we often neglect the fact that it not only poses as a piece of functional clothing but also as a fashion statement. Considering that your face is the most looked at part of your body, changing your eyewear will create one of the most dramatic impacts. Different frames can create completely different looks, from the intellectual sophisticated kind of man to the rugged adventurer. Think carefully about the image that best expresses who you are and try on different styles to find the best style that suits your face and speaks your personality. This is also an item in your wardrobe that you can be more adventurous with, so play around with colour and shape. For a more formal look, go for a metal frame with a darker lense such as black or brown and keep the size small and shape basic. For a sportier weekend look, go for a plastic and perhaps a coloured frame such as blue or grey, with sports defined features such as shields or a wrapped frame. Generally a square shaped frame will suit a squared shaped face, because they compliment each other. But the rules are very broad when it comes to finding the right pair for you shape face. It is best to try on a number of different styles and find one that suits you best and you feel most comfortable with.
Belts
Belts are probably one of the most affordable ways to change the look of an out fit. With so many styles on the market, from slim classic belts, to thick heavy-duty belts, there really is an endless amount of choice out there. For a more formal look, stick to the classic leather belt with an understated buckle, you don’t really want your belt to the focal point, particularly if you are wearing a great suit. For the more casual look, you can be more adventurous, playing around with either buckle details, different textures or materials. There are also many specialty belts available, from belts made out of antique kimonos or beautifully hand crafted pieces. Why not even design your own belt and have it made up. Use your belt as your canvas to make your statement.
Jacket
Another item that generally gets worn often but very rarely changed is your jacket or overcoat. As this is the case make sure you buy something that you feel comfortable wearing and will get a lot of wear out of. Also make sure that it is a versatile style that you can wear with a number of different outfits. You can either go two ways with the jacket. Buy something that is quite plain in colour but interesting in style, which you know you will wear often, or go for something a bit funkier that makes a statement. You will be seen wearing it often so if you want to make a real statement about your sense of dress then this would be the boldest way of making it.
Tops
Last but not least, the cheapest and most inexpensive way to create a dramatic impact in your wardrobe would be with your tops. Whether it is with your shirts or t-shirts, it is always advisable to have a variety, from plain to more trendy with prints and details. Make sure you always have your basic colours such as black white and navy, then add some bolder colours such as khaki, light blue and for a real statement yellow. You can even layer colours to get a different look. Also play around with different styles and shapes such as long and short sleeved together for another layered look. Or a huge trend now is details, either on the sleeves, back or front in terms of prints, or pocket and collar details etc. You could wear the same pair of pants with different tops to transform your look daily.
By combining one or two of the above items you can have an entire different look. Essentially your basics in your wardrobe will always stay the same, but by adding a little here and there, you can create a whole new look without breaking the bank.
From the SimStylist team.
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