Stay Hot! Spend Less in Recession

Cutting down on budgets don't mean that you cease to be fashionable. By keeping your eyes open and adopting thrift techniques, you can get stylish clothing and accessories enough to maintain your hot looks in college, office and even in evening parties.

Search Your Closet
First, before going out to buy a new top or a footwear, look into your closet- fronts, backs and under the stacked up piles. Now sort your inventory. Keep the clothes and fashion accessories that you wear regularly. Recycle clothes that are still in good condition but you've got bored wearing them- make bags, halter tops, scarves, tank tops, belts out of your old jeans, t- shirts, neck ties etc.- They'll look all new- check with your friends if you don't believe it! Keep some that are in very good condition for reselling or swapping.

Mix and Match
There are certain dresses that can go with a number of outfits. You get a new look everytime you wear these dresses, say a top with suit for work, with skirt for a party, or with jeans for a casual date. These versatile items can be blue jeans, a little black dress, black slacks, white blouses, printed tops, pencil skirts, cardigans, sweaters, tanks and camisoles, ankle boots, heeled sandals etc. Thinks a little and mix and match these dresses to get new looks every time without spending a penny more.

Swap Clothes and Accessories
Clothing and accessory sales have gone down last year. However, the membership in different swapping meet up groups and sites related to swaps are increasing rapidly. Many have already taken advantage of the trend, you too can go for it. Most of the women use only 20% of their wardrobe at any given time! So why not get some hot clothes, handbags, footwear that only take space of others' closets and exchange with what you consider useless. You can visit one of such many swapping or swishing sites or can organize a clothing swap among your friends!

Buy from Thrift or Discount Stores
Everyone's doing that- even those who never went to these shops- after all, its recession time, and your budget is tight! Buy a designer-inspired bag or a dress instead of paying hundreds of dollars for a name brand. But don't equate cheap with inexpensive- cheap items have lower quality that won't stay even for a season. There are many other options to get quality fashion at discount rates- Clearance Sales near the end of the season, BOGO- buy one get one – sales will give you 50% discount on selected items, Special item sales- weekly sales by retailors, especially online retailors, where they feature a special item each week at discounted price ranging from 25 & 40 %. All's there for you, just keep your eyes and ears open.

Use Inexpensive Accessories a Lot
Matching or contrasting accessories with your outfit can surely change your looks in a big way. A single dress can be worn for a business conference, to a friend's gathereing, or cocktail party by just changing the accessories. There's no need to go for expensive ones. You can find a lot of inexpensive jewelery- bangles, earrings, bracelets, handbags made of inexpensive fabrics or recycled handbags made from textile wastes, they can all make you look cool!