These days we are all conscious of our spending habits and tendencies. We want to feel updated and fresh yet still feel good about our purchases. Here are 3 ways that you can liven up your style and keep the spending to a minimum.
First: Jewelry is the best way to change up your wardrobe. You can wear a basic blazer with a white blouse and skinny cropped pants and change up the look with jewelry. A big bold necklace is always a good way to give some variety and add an element of surprise to your basic look. Like the “Pearl Necklace with Large Agates” or the “Chunky Agate Button Necklace“, both of these pieces have the WOW factor and set off the basic attire. This is also true with the weekend look. Instead of stocking up on many sweaters and jeans, stick to a few sweaters and one pair of new jeans and find some great earrings and long necklaces to switch up your style. Jewelry is like shoes, when you put on high heels or something shiny, like jewelry, you instantly feel dressed up.
Second: Analyze your wardrobe and see if you can alter or change some pieces you already have. For example, I have this long black leather coat with a fox fur trim around the collar. The coat is vintage, I found several years ago, but rarely wear it because of the length, it is very long and a little over powering, so I decided to shorten the coat to below waist level, give it a few tucks and shorten the sleeves, and wallah I have a new jacket! This same altering technique can be used for dresses that are long or pants that could use some taking in, pegging or hemming. You can change your “heel” jeans into “flat” jeans or switch up a sweater dress to a cropped sweater. Of course with this alteration idea you have to see if the alteration charges are worth it, but just visualizing some ideas can give you a fresh perspective on how you perceive your clothing.

Victoria Beckham rocking a chic fur coat
Third: Shop vintage. I do say this over and over again, but I truly believe that the best clothing is either vintage, indie or designer. To get to the root of the inspiration where designers are looking for their ideas that fuel their collections, you must shop vintage. Here are my 3 favorite Seattle shops: Redlight, Vu and Le Frock. Of course if you are traveling visit these boutiques for the ultimate designer vintage: Decades LA & Resurrection NYC. You can spend a small fortune on “designer” vintage, that is why you have to be a scout and find the hidden treasures. Shopping for designer vintage is always amazing and inspiring, however, it does not fall into the savings category. To save and be a smart savvy shopper, you have to find the diamond in the rough and find pieces that are in good condition, have unique style details and are wearable now.



