How to Look Good on a Budget

If you think you have to break the bank to look good, here is a fun and easy way to start dressing up without using up all your hard-earned cash.

1. Accessorize – Two things happen when you wear accessories. One, it will make a plain and simple dress or top look special. Two, it will give you an opportunity to establish your own style.

This gray top, which looks good on its own, gets added oomph with (from left) chandelier earrings, a long multi-strand necklace, and a dramatic floral collar.

Photo from www.looklet.com

2. Cluster your wardrobe.  Make an inventory of your blazers, blouses, skirts and slacks for women and coats, shirts and pants for men.  Start matching your pieces of clothing that will blend well together and mix and match to your heart’s content.  This will multiply the number of clothes that you can wear and take away the pressure of buying new ones.

Having an organized closet and knowing what you have also lessens stress
especially when you’re running late. 

3. Select your clothes that look dated and have it altered to new designs of your choice.

Turn an old T-shirt into a trendy halter.
Check out  http://diyfashion.about.com on how to do this project.

4. Pay special attention to pieces of clothing that you wear next to your face.  It catches immediate attention and deserves extra careful quality checking before buying and wearing.  When you are cash-strapped, just buy this piece and match it to a bottom piece that blends well with its color and design.

Get more mileage from your tops, choose a style that complements 

your existing bottoms.

Photo from www.polyvore.com

5. Have a new haircut for men and a regular trim for women to always have a fresh look.  If you have an appealing face, people will not be too critical of what you are wearing.

Go ahead and try this simple 5-step formula for looking good without straining your resources. Do have fun along the way!

Welcome to Beyond Looking Good!

Growing up, I discovered I have a flair for fashion and style. Now, as an image consultant, I share this talent with others who are either clueless on what suits them or too busy to bother.

Looking good is important but, there are other important things as well:  social graces, sense of humor, street smarts, intelligence, to name a few. Psychiatrist and author, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, aptly said:

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I agree, and that is why Beyond Looking Good is here. Get tips on fashion, lifestyle, social graces, communication skills, and etiquette. It is my hope that Beyond Looking Good will grow into a community of people who values Beauty WITH Substance. 

Send your comments, style concerns, etiquette dilemmas, and whatever it is you need advise on.  Together, we will develop a brand new you that is beyond looking good.