The post 7 closet cleanout tips to transform the way you dress first appeared on LookSmart.

Want to look like a million bucks but don’t have the budget? There are certain things you can do to ensure you look stylish.

1. Good grooming

A stylish look always starts with good grooming: radiant, healthy skin, neatly trimmed and polished nails, clean, shiny hair, and a healthy haircut. With this, even a $5 T-shirt will look great.

Good grooming doesn’t have to mean expensive facials and manicures. Nor does it have to mean contoured makeup, hair extensions and false eyelashes. It just has to be you, fresh, simple and with a healthy glow. Eat well, drink water, take a bath, and take your makeup off every night – simple things like this will make all the difference.

2. Choose neutral colours

Neutral colours serve as a fantastic base: think black, grey, navy, tan, and white. They can also be a huge time saver, eliminating the difficulty of deciding what to wear each morning. When you mix neutral-coloured blazers, trousers, and skirts with standout tops and accessories, no one will notice that you wear them on repeat.

Whether you choose bold pieces such as a top, a printed scarf, or oversized jewellery, the fundamentals will pair perfectly with your overall look. Applying this approach will help streamline your mornings and give you a wardrobe that hangs well together. You’ll be able to have fun expressing your style while still managing to look fabulous for any occasion.

3. Shop versatile on a budget

Streamline your wardrobe by focusing on pieces that provide a mix of activities. Choose a blouse that can be worn to Sunday brunch with friends and then transitioned to suit your Monday morning meeting. Look for clothes that accommodate a different range of accessories and you’ve got yourself a versatile wardrobe.

Fabrics, such as jersey or cotton blends, can work in various environments. You may also wish for an outfit that easily allows belts or scarves to introduce variety and new looks without making a new costume.

Versatile pieces save money and declutter your closet. It means you will always have the right thing to wear at the end of the day, gradually increasing your style and confidence.

4. Pay attention to shape

Looks that flatter your figure and make you feel comfortable and confident will always scream sophistication. A proper fit is by far the most important factor in making your clothes look more expensive.
If a sleeve is too wide, a shoulder too narrow, a pant leg too long or a dress too loose, it’s going to look cheap. In fact, even if a piece is expensive, it will look cheap in the wrong size or shape.

5. Find a good tailor

To help ensure you’ve always got the right size and shape, consider visiting a tailor. Personal tailoring is like waving a magic wand over your clothes, even the ones you thought were at the end of their days. Alterations like taking hems up or down are generally pretty straightforward and inexpensive.

Investment in tailoring will ensure you look good and extend the life of your clothes, allowing you to enjoy your favourite items for longer periods. Well-tailored clothes may also provide a high level of confidence, making you feel comfortable and stylish for all types of occasions.

6. Accept hand-me-downs

Wearing hand-me-down clothes and clothing from op shops is a fantastic way to save on your clothing budget. It also helps the environment – did you know in Australia alone, 500 000 tonnes of textiles end up in landfill every year?

Some people don’t like the idea of wearing old clothes, but often it creates a creative and fashion-forward statement because you can make old styles new again. If you’re not a dab hand at alterations, LookSmart Alterations can work their magic and take care of the clothes for you.

7. Take advantage of accessorising

The single easiest and one of the most affordable ways to spruce up a neutral outfit is to match it with accessories. It could be a scarf, hat, glasses, belt or jewellery; accessories can make all the difference. Experiment and see what you can come up with. Keep it minimal, because more often one well-chosen piece is more impactful than several pieces.

For instance, a bold necklace or a bright handbag can transform your dull outfit into stunning, making you feel more comfortable. Feel confident enough not to fear to mix and match different textures and colours for that visual interest.

Accessories can make you look completely different and let your personality shine. Still, you can definitely spice up a neutral outfit, so casual to semi-formal outfits will do for a party or formal event.

8. Know your measurements

If you’re buying off-the-rack and then planning to visit the tailor, know your measurements before you shop. Buying anything that’s more than one size too small or large can mean costly alterations and the result is often not ideal. When possible, stick to buying clothes that are your size or one size larger.

This allows you to alter them with minimal fuss, ensuring the final fit will be very clean and fitted. During this process, learning your measurements leads you through many brands and their size charts, which are often dramatically different. Knowing your dimensions makes shopping less stressful and more fun, as you can find pieces that not only look good but also feel comfortable and drape well.

9. Master Layering Techniques

Layering is the basic dressing technique that gives your wardrobe depth and versatility. Once mastered, you can mix various textures and fabrics with colours to create fashionably unique looks that work through all seasons.

Begin with lightweight, breathable underlayers like cotton or silk at the base, and work your way up to thicker layers such as jackets and coats. Include proportions with fitted layers that suit under oversized outerwear to add dimensions.

Add scarves or belts to wrap it up and finalise it or make it balanced. Proper layering keeps you comfortable and stylish as the weather changes.

10. Choose Statement Pieces to Elevate Basics

Statement pieces are perfect for transforming an outfit from plain to fabulous. Whether it’s a bold necklace, a blazer with a striking pattern, or standout shoes, statement pieces call attention and enhance basics with personality.

The secret to balance is letting the statement piece shine with neutral, unstated basics. For example, a statement jacket can make an otherwise plain white T and jeans come together.

For example, bold jewellery pieces such as dainty earrings can be added to a minimalist’s outfit. A couple of statement pieces in the wardrobe can bring something more refined and sophisticated into a casual look.

11. Understand the Power of Fit

Well-fitted clothes flatter the shape of your body, bring out your best features, and help create a streamlined, tailored look. Quality alterations to get something that fits just so can transform off-the-rack garments into glamorous, pricey-looking wear.

For example, a suit or dress that fits well can make you smart and professional. Conversely, ill-fitting clothes can appear unkempt.
Look at the details of sleeve length, waistline placement, and overall proportion, and don’t be afraid to try different sizes to find what works best for you.

12. Make fashionable and like-minded friends

If you’re lucky enough to have a friend who shares the same size as you and the same sense of style, use it to your advantage. Clothes swapping is a great way to have a big wardrobe that won’t break the bank. For any friends who differ in size and shape, consider swapping accessories.

13. Fake it on a budget till you make it

You might not have a million dollars in your bank account, but others don’t need to know that. Pretend you’ve just stepped off a yacht and keep things neutral in all white/beige. Look for quality knockoffs of your favourite designs. Remember that style isn’t just about how much you spend. You can still look great in something from a budget store if you choose wisely and wear it with confidence!

14. Care for your clothes

Having style means respecting your clothing and accessories to ensure they are well-kept. Clothes look their best when they are pressed and clean. Wash your clothes according to instructions, and air dry them when possible to lengthen their life.

15. See the big picture

Before you buy anything new for your wardrobe, take a look at the big picture. Do you have a tonne of blue items but nothing in red? Do you have a tonne of t-shirts but only one or two blouses? Review everything often so that you only buy what’s missing.

Make heads turn even on a budget

The bottom line is that looking stylish on a small budget is possible. You just have to put some thought into your outfits and know your style.

To learn more, read our articles on clothing budgets for the whole family, or making the most of hand-me-downs.

Small Budget? Extend the life of your existing garments

Keep up with fashion trends on a budget by repairing and restyling your old clothes.

All LookSmart stores provide expert tailoring and repairs. Most stores provide dry cleaning so you can dry clean your clothes so they are ready to wear right after the alterations.

$10 OFF* CLOTHING ALTERATIONS

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can I use layering to refresh my look without buying new clothes?

Layering helps freshen your look without buying one additional thing. For example, you could wear a T-shirt beneath a button-down shirt or a sweater over a dress.

For example, wear a coat over your favourite tee with a scarf or a cardigan. Mix and match what you have to create new outfits. There is no need to spend money when you can be fashionable by simply redoing the way you wear clothes.

What are some go-to statement pieces that instantly enhance an outfit?

Statement pieces are interesting and can put the spotlight on any outfit. Good examples include a bold necklace, colourful scarf, or fashionable belt.

Besides that, one or two statement pieces combined with the patterned jacket can be very helpful. Using only those can make a cool outfit, from jeans to a T-shirt.

How important is tailoring when styling on a budget?

Tailoring is very important, even when on a budget. Clothes that fit you can make you look neat and put together even though the clothing itself wasn’t expensive.

A simple tweak in clothes can make all the difference—for instance, hemming pants or adjusting a shirt’s fit. Tailoring can be less expensive than purchasing a new outfit, so it is a great way to enhance your wardrobe without spending much.

Can mixing textures make affordable outfits look more expensive?

Yes, mixing textures can make an affordable outfit look more expensive. Adding a little cotton, wool, silk, or denim to different fabrics adds more depth.

Good examples of making your outfit unique are mixing a soft sweater with a leather jacket or a silk scarf with a casual top. Mixing the textures gives an impression that you think about your fashion, which can turn budget clothes into high fashion.

The post 12 Tips for Looking Stylish on a Budget first appeared on LookSmart.

How many times have you looked through your clothes convinced that you have absolutely nothing to wear? We think it’s safe to say that we’ve all been there. Despite the shoes, tops and scarves bulging out, we are all guilty of getting bored of wearing the same piece of clothing over and over again.

Why host a party?

First and foremost, it gives boredom the flick. It’s a fun and easy way to update your wardrobe, where the only expenditure may be alterations to make your new clothes fit perfectly.

Secondly, it’s economical. While we’d all love an unlimited budget to buy all the clothes and shoes in the world, this just isn’t the case for the vast majority of people. This means updating our wardrobes will often come down to affordability. A clothes swap party won’t cost a cent (except for maybe some delicious cocktails) and is a fun way to catch up with friends.

Finally, it’s better for the environment. By swapping, rather than buying, you’re encouraging others to reuse and recycle rather than throw items away. In fact, swapping, rather than buying a new pair of jeans, will save you more than 6000 litres of water.

Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week is an amazing reason to get your friends together and encourage everyone to reuse and recycle. Moving away from ‘fast fashion’ and making clothes last for longer periods of time (rather than throwing them away) is a great way to reduce consumer impact strain on the environment.

Where to start…

The first step is to choose who you’ll invite. It’s best to invite people with a broad spectrum of shapes and sizes. Make sure that all shapes and sizes will be catered for at the event. You don’t want anyone to feel left out and not have anyone to swap with!

Another option, if you can’t make sure that every attendee will have clothes swapping options, is to host an accessories swap. Rather than clothes, invite people to bring along jewellery, scarves, shoes and handbags.

Some clothes swapping guidelines

Remember, it’s not a free-for-all. There need to be some ground rules in place, especially when it comes to the condition of the items.

We recommend only pieces in good to excellent condition. This means washed, clean and with no tears or rips (unless they’re part of the design, of course).

It’s also wise to put a recommendation on the number of pieces people should bring. If someone brings 15 items and another only brings five, the playing field can be a little unfair.

Consider setting up a system so each person gets fair time to look through things and choose his or her items. There are a couple of ways you can do this:

• Draw straws to see who shops first and then in what order the rest of the attendees go in. In this case, limit the number of items each person can choose so there is still ample items for the next guest.
• Give guests time to peruse the selection, and then it’s free for all (within reason of course). If you’re all friends, perhaps talking it out may be the best option.  Two people eyeing off the same item, consider fun ways to choose, such as a ‘model-off’. If all else fails, flip a coin.

Finally, if you want to share the costs around or at least keep them down, get every guest to bring a plate of snacks or some drinks – then, you can really make it a party.

Setting up clothes swap party

A clothes swap should be fun, and a pile of clothes in the middle of the floor just isn’t that.

Consider purchasing a reasonably priced clothes rack that you can hang items off. Alternatively, you can hire one or use an empty cupboard. If you can, sort clothing by size so it’s very clear what will and won’t fit each attendee. Or alternatively, you can categorise them further by season or style, and then into their corresponding size order.

Set up a place for all the accessories. If you’re using a single table, grab some shoe boxes to create different levels so you can style the accessories in different ways.

Ensure you have a dedicated ‘try-on’ area (for larger parties, consider having two). If you can, try to include a full-length mirror in this spot so guests can properly see how they look in things.

The aftermath of clothes swap

It’s highly likely that once everyone has taken home their goodies, there may be some need for alterations. Make sure everyone’s new clothes fit them perfectly. However, as the outfit was free in the first place, this is a small price to pay for some stylish new pieces pieces. Also make sure that if there are items left over, they’re donated to charity. Remember – reduce, reuse and recycle as much as you can!

If you’re thinking of having a clothes swap party, be sure to take your new threads into a LookSmart Alterations store in Australia and New Zealand to have them expertly fitted by our experienced tailors. We’ll have you look like a million bucks for a lot less!

The post How to Host a Successful Clothes Swap Party first appeared on LookSmart.

You’ll also save a lot of space and waste. Hand-me-downs are a far more environmentally friendly way of getting clothes than regularly buying newly manufactured pieces.

Nonetheless, there is a big “but”.

No one – especially kids in the midst of developing their own personalities and sense of style – wants to wear clothing that’s a poor fit, faded, damaged or even – heaven forbid – out of style.

There’s a strong likelihood that any single hand-me-down has some kind of problem with it. That’s where you’ll need to get creative so that your kids will still love their clothes.

Here are some simple alterations that you can apply to hand-me-downs to give them a fresh lease on life and give your kids unique fashion that suits their sense of style.

1. Get the scissors out

There isn’t much that a good pair of scissors can’t solve. Long sleeved shirts become light short sleeved shirts. Pants become shorts and shorts become skirts. Jeans become fashionably “distressed” and a t-shirt becomes almost anything you want it to be. For stains, you may be able to incorporate some creative cutting to get rid of the stain. If the hand-me-down is still not fitting perfectly, consider using it as the base material to make something else entirely.

2. Get help for alterations on hand-me-downs

Speaking of ill-fitting clothing, if it’s a hand-me-down that’s really worth saving – perhaps a suit or a blazer – then an expert may well be able to assist you. Hemming and taking clothes in and out to create a better fit is their bread-and-butter. While this will be more expensive than a DIY job, it will result in clothing that may as well be new. It will also be less expensive than buying new clothes altogether. Every child needs good “formal” wear in their wardrobe, and if you’re on a budget this is the perfect way to ensure they do.

3. Get yourself a sewing machine

Learning how to use a sewing machine will become a major asset in helping you customise hand-me-downs to your kid’s tastes and preferences. An easy way to customise a piece of clothing, is to stitch on a patch unique to your child’s interests. It could be a favourite animal, or a place the family went on holiday, for example.

Adding lace or ribbons to an otherwise dull shirt can give it new vibrancy and life. Modern sewing machines are neither expensive, nor particularly hard to use. The results more than justify the investment in learning how to use them.

4. Get the kids to personalise their own clothes

Depending on your child’s age, you probably don’t want the children messing around with that sewing machine you just bought. Despite this, there are so many other things that you can get the kids to do with their own clothes, and they’ll love the opportunity to get hands-on with customisation.

Get a stash of fabric markers, fabric glue, sequins and other sparkly trim, then encourage the kids to think about what they’d like to do with their “new” hand-me-downs. It’s a good exercise for stimulating the child’s creativity, and it won’t be the end of the world if they do something disastrous to a hand-me-down. You can be much more certain that a child’s going to get a lot of wear out of something that they actually designed themselves.

Why stop at hand-me-downs?

None of the above tips are difficult or costly to implement, but will guarantee far better results when convincing your kids hand-me-downs are the best choice. And who knows? Once you’ve been bitten by the clothing bug, it may become a new hobby.

Hand-Me-Downs with LookSmart

All 120 LookSmart Your Stylist Tailor stores across Australia and New Zealand provide professional bridal dress alterations. Our tailors and seamstress are experts in all wedding dress and suit alterations.

The post How to Make the Most of Hand-Me-Downs first appeared on LookSmart.

Accepting hand-me-downs

Accepting and wearing hand-me-down clothes is a fantastic way to save on the family budget. It’s also a great way to protect the environment by giving clothing a second life. Repurposing old clothing diminishes the amount of energy it takes to make and transport new clothing, and for those that have kindly passed the clothing on, seeing a niece or nephew in a former favourite piece can be very warming.

But of course, hand-me-down clothing can have its problems. The fit might be a little off, there might be a small stain or tear, or they might just be a little old fashioned. Don’t fear though – LookSmart Alterations can help.

A professional tailor can do wonders to any outfit. They can hem it, take it in, or make it look brand new. You might think that doing this will be just as expensive as buying brand new, but we promise it’s more affordable than you might think!

Fixing the little things

Lots of kids clothes have missing buttons or broken zips, but this doesn’t mean they should be tossed away. These are easy fixes that just about anyone can do. As for stains, these can easily be removed using the power of vinegar. Simply soak in vinegar, hang out in the sun, and then run through a wash as normal. To lift mildew stains, mix equal parts vinegar and water with some salt and soak before washing.

Making old stuff cool

Trends come and go, and some clothing you inherit might be a little stuck in the past. If this is the case, make some adjustments to bring it up-to-date. Put new buttons on a cardigan or coat, embellish and bedazzle to add interest, or add pockets using some funky fabric. Use iron-on hem tape to make a cutout lace shape, add a lace trim to a pair of denim shorts, or give tops a new fit by trimming the bottom to make them cropped. You could even turn felt into a bleach stamp pad and stamp on some cool motifs.

Personalising

Sew on an embroidery patch of your child’s favourite animal and even the oldest of jumpers will become a new favourite. If you can’t find a patch, employ the services of a profession embroider to do the job. If your child’s favourite colour is pink, take a white T-shirt and dye it to make it a winner. Alternatively, you could turn it into a tie-dying family activity.

Shopping for used

All of the above still applies when shopping in thrift stores for used kids clothing. Most stores, be them online or local, only sell goods that have been well cared for. Clothing should be free of stains, tears and fading (although mild fading should be expected). Many second-hand stores will specialise only in quality brand names too, meaning your child can be kitted out in the trendiest names for the lowest prices.

Swapping with friends

If you know a friend that’s holding onto clothing for when their youngest grows older, ask if you can borrow. Perhaps you’re in the position to make a trade? Find friends with kids of different ages and work as a team to rotate clothing. This works particularly well for big spend items such as coats, raincoats, shoes and boots.

Waiting for sales

Every time you see a sale, make a note of it so you’re ready for next year. Most stores follow a similar pattern each year, and knowing when the next sale is means you can shop sensibly. This won’t fix the clothing industry issue of energy wastage, but it will mean you never pay full price again.

Making a registry

If you’re worried that an upcoming birthday will mean more toys cluttering up your home, make a registry and ask friends and family to stock up your child’s wardrobe instead. A registry can be a controversial issue, but it’s a great way to get quality clothing that doesn’t cost you a thing. You can always use this saved money to purchase just one toy you know your child will love.

Leading by example

If your own wardrobe is packed full of brand new designer labelled clothing, how do you expect your kids to be happy with hand-me-downs and thrift store finds? Lead by example and alter your existing wardrobe pieces before shopping for anything new. Talk to friends about swapping or rotating clothing, and make the thrift store your first point of call when hitting the shops. Remember, the more you save on the whole family wardrobe budget, the more money you’ll have to enjoy family life.

The post Tips on How to Upgrade Your Family’s Wardrobe on a Budget first appeared on LookSmart.

It turns out, you don’t have to break the bank to keep your wardrobe fresh. There are ways to stay up with current trends without amassing a small fortune in debt.

It does require a bit of creativity – a good thing for those already inclined towards thinking outside the box. If you are going to really stretch the dollar to get a unique, fresh look that keeps up with all the latest trends, you’ll also require a bit of patience, networking, luck, and even skill, or at least the willingness to teach yourself a new ability.

That being said, approach the following suggestions with an open mind and you might be surprised at how much can be done with clothes you assumed were simply out-dated, over the hill, or otherwise unusable. Without further ado, let’s see how to have fun with your armoire of old clothes while looking great at the same time.

Find fashionable and generous like-minded friends

Have you got a few of those friends who always have the hottest threads and most expansive wardrobe in town? Often fashionistas are hoarders and would never part with any of their clothes – but perhaps they don’t mind lending their wares? Or, if you are friends with folks who perfectly happy to swap clothes with you, this too can be a great relationship to help change and update your wardrobe.

The sweet spot for creating an economy of tradeable clothes with your friends is finding people whose fashion sense you admire, but who are also open-minded towards temporarily or permanently trading different items. Keep in mind, respecting your friends clothes while borrowing it is a must! This can be a lot of fun as long as neither you nor your buddies are overly attached to any particular item.

Iron-on patches, brooches and mending

This one requires a bit more dedication, but the results are a fully customised piece of clothing!

Brooches, colourful patches, emblems of your favourite bands, and buttons of various sorts and sizes are fun ways to spice things up on that tired-looking jacket of yours. Show off some personality and your favourite band at the same time.

This is actually not as hard as it might seem at first. Ironing on adhesive patches is relatively easy, and even the most basic sewing skills can take you a long way. Still, the ceiling is high: get good enough and you can magically create your own clothes using fabric and textiles of your choosing. The sky’s the limit with this one.

Tidy up, sort it out

This may sound simple, but oftentimes, we forget some of the stuff we have at the bottom of the pile of clothes in the corner of our closet. The simple act of tidying up can go a long way. Get rid of, trade or hold a market stall for items you absolutely don’t want to wear. This clears up room in your closet, and might even earn you a bit of dough to buy something. Don’t be afraid to be discerning; there’s nothing wrong with wearing what you really like more often.

Accessorise

The single easiest way to spruce up an old look is to simply combine it with new accessories. A secret that isn’t hard to pull off is the best kind. Whether it be scarves, hats, glasses, rings, bracelets, earrings, cummerbunds, accessories can be put to use to create a surprisingly new style from what you are used to. Experiment and see what you come up with.

Look for inspiration

Having a few unconventional fashionista role models can help you decide how to mix and match styles. There are plenty out there who broke the sartorial rules and made fashion history. Check out the styles of Patricia Field who was the stylist on Sex and the City and created those iconic, ground breaking looks for Carrie Bradshaw. Also look at former US Vogue creative director Grace Coddington; modern muse Alexa Chung who fuses boho vintage with modern glam; and of course Iris Apfel, New York’s most famous eclectic woman of style.

These are just a few suggestions, but the possibilities are limitless. Don’t be afraid to break the rules, mixing and matching, and most of all, having fun!

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