14 Ways to Work With What’s in Your Closet

It's hard to stay within a budget, especially with the price of everything on the rise. What's a stylish SYSter to do? Work your closet. Can you tick-off all 14 of the listed items below?

Here’s how to work with what you’ve got in your closet right now:

__Wear your LBD (Little Black Dress) with unusual accessories or colors. For example, wear a dark brown belt & dark brown accessories for a sophisticated look w/ your LBD.

__Mix dressy and casual items together--in one outfit. Why not? It’s an uber-chic thing to do.

__Wear unmatched items in one outfit. The ‘ground’ the outfit by wearing matching shoes, belt and handbag all in the same color. 

__Grab your LBD again. Now add a colorful/bright brooch at cleavage/neckline and wear matching bright shoes! What a cool way to bring “zing” to your same LBD!

__Add unique shoes and handbags to your basic wardrobe. Can a gal ever have too many shoes? I think not. (Need more? Check out quality consignment stores for top brands at a discount)

__Wear a hat! So style-savvy and sophisticated it’s not even funny. All eyes are on you when you walk in wearing a hat and fashion-forward attitude. Tie on a scarf or pin on a brooch for added ‘cool factor’. 

__Dress up a plain sheath dress (straight or A-line) with a colorful wrap sweater or wear a lacy top OVER the dress! (makes the dress look like another skirt you own). Consider adding a skinny belt to complete your look.

__Add a vest, bolero, or short jacket to a plain dress. Think interesting layers over your dress.

__Wear a scarf in your hair or around your wrist for a funky-cool vibe.

__Belt it. Wear a belt over your thin jackets and sweaters. Or belt up high under your bust.

__Mix styles. Mix romantic (lace/ruffle top) with rigid (cargo pants) and a structured handbag. Keep in mind, ONLY ONE style should be dominate, while the other style is ‘touched’ upon.

__Layer UNDER your sleeveless dress! Add a button-down blouse or a 3/4 sleeve knit shirt for an interesting layered look!

__Anchor unusual dressing combinations by having everything in the same color palette or matching all the accessories (all black or brown for example).

__Shop off the beaten path. Shop unique stores (from Goodwill to Burberry--and everything in-between). Be picky and only buy what you love and know you will wear!

__Know the trends. Learn about the current trends, then translate them into your wardrobe.