Popular media will make you think that it takes a lot of money to always look great in your clothes. What TV does not tell you, however, is that it is easy to look like you have got a great wardrobe without actually spending for a whole closetful of designer duds. It is called investment dressing, and it is the smart guys way to dressing up and getting the most mileage and outfits out of every buck.
Set Your Sights on Sales
Sales are everywhere these days. Retailers are hurt hard by the decline in consumer spending, and are trying to lure customers into their stores will unbelievable deals.
It might seem like a very female pastime, but more and more guys are getting on the sale-hunting bandwagon because it is practical and you women's jackets online can get really great clothes for less. If you are not exactly the shopaholic type or you are not always at the mall, ask the sales staff at clothing retailers when the next sale will be. And if the sales staff do not know (not all sales are announced beforehand), sign up for email newsletters so you are always updated.
Keep It Classic
You wont believe the amount of money you will save just by limiting your wardrobe to classic pieces like clean white shirts and straight-cut pants. Pieces like those are very versatile and timeless, which means you can easily switch them around with other clothes to make entirely new outfits. They also do not go out of style, so you wont look like a disaster if you wear them 3 or 5 years down the road.
Looking for classic pieces is also a good idea because you can find them just about everywhere. The plain white shirts you see in Target, for example, will look about the same as the ones you see in an Armani boutique. Dont completely rule out buying high-end brands, though, because they are the ones that have the highest quality. And because you will end up using the items again and again, every cent will be well worth it.
Be sure to invest in key pieces like good black leather shoes, two-piece suits and sport coats. Get items like those from trusted brands or even better, get them custom-made. A good tailored sport coat can easily make up for old or faded shirts in a pinch, and a single pair of high-quality leather shoes will easily outlast five generic pairs.
Alter and Accessorize
Do you still have that one-size-too-large shirt that you got last Christmas? Did you leave those too-long slacks you got for your birthday in the wrapping paper? Make the most out of these free clothes by simply getting them altered. It will cost you anywhere from $5 to $50 per piece depending on the item, but you will end up with a completely new article of clothing that is exactly fitted to your body. Most people would call that a bargain.
While it is true that just sticking to classics will give you a limited number of outfit options, you can easily multiply that number by just adding a few accessories here and there. Changing to a different colored belt or a more brightly hued tie will instantly change the character of any outfit. Besides, getting a new tie or another belt should not cost you more than $20 a pop, so you do not stand to lose much by it.
Dressing well does not require you to spend a lot but simply to spend smartly. With a little practice and a lot of window shopping, you will be surprised at how much further your $200 can go on fashion street.
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