It’s that time of year when your boots go to the back of the closet and strappy sandals come to the front. Times are tough and a new spring wardrobe may be out of the question but no need for your style to suffer.
Below, you will find hot tips from celebrity stylist and Airplus spokesperson, Tara Swennen. She gives us some great insider tips to looking great this season without spending a fortune.
Quick fix for favorites that feel dull…
- “Re-dye pieces to bring them back to life. Shoe repair stores can re-dye most accessories such as shoes and handbags or do it yourself and save even more. Most convenient stores sell clothing dyes that you can easily use at home.”
I found clothing dye for less than $10 at my local Wal Mart Supercenter. Although I haven’t personally been brave enough to dye my own clothes, I’ve thrown away clothes in the past because they got a bleach spot or a stain I couldn’t remove. I never thought to just grab a box of dye from Wal Mart and just make a whole new item! I kinda wish I hadn’t thrown a few of those tops away because they would have looked great in black or navy blue…
Would even be cool to dye a pair of jeans… I don’t know about shoes or handbags, but it’s definitely worth a try! If you are going to send your unused items off to your local Salvation Army or thrift store anyway, you might as well try dying them first! You might end up with a really cool item that you’ll fall in love with all over again.
Recycle footwear for added comfort…
- “Brands such as Airplus offer affordable products for making old shoes fit like new. Use Airplus ‘Sure Steps’ for worn out and slippery soles, Airplus ‘Steppies’ for stretched out shoes, and Airplus ‘Ultra Arch’ or Airplus ‘Hug My Heels’ for shoes that have lost their support. Give shoes a good polish and they will be as good as new.”
If new comfortable shoes aren’t in your budget, then insoles can make your current shoes a little more tolerable. Get Airplus Insoles at Amazon.com
Tailor old pieces for a fresh fit…
- “Try things on before recycling them to make sure they fit properly. Most women simply skip over ill fitting pieces but once tailored to fit you will be much more inclined to throw it on again.”
Hemming a pair of pants is probably a lot easier than you think! All it takes is a steady hand, a little patience, and maybe a pair of glasses if you have trouble focusing on small things. If you aren’t inclined to sew your own clothes, find a local tailor to hem your clothes. Most times, it’s a lot less expensive to have someone tailor your pants, then to buy a bran new pair of pants. Plus, getting clothes to fit your body perfectly will be a lot more flattering than hoping something fits straight off the rack.
Readjust lengths for a new look…
- “Turn a knee length A-line skirt into a short and sassy mini, make a long sleeved blouse into a cap sleeve top or even add a ruffle to dresses for a new twist.”
Making modifications to your clothes can save money and time, plus you end up with a totally unique piece that is stylish and fun. For ideas, check out your local craft store for patterns or look for fun accessories you can add to your existing pieces to create a new look. You can gather more ideas by shopping in stores like Stein Mart, where you can find inexpensive designer items. Getting visual ideas from this season’s hottest trends will help you when you embark on modifying clothing in your wardrobe.
Look to current trends to rethink your outfits…
- “Be bold when mixing and matching prints and patterns. Pair a small print with a larger one or a bright color with a fun graphic or texture for an updated look. If you think outside the box you can create a multitude of new looks.”
Check out fresh spring dresses from Stein Mart to maximize your style without spending a lot.
Host a girls “Swap” night…
- “This is a new trend among friends. Order pizza, drink cocktails, and bring your least used items to swap with friends. Remember, one person’s junk is another person’s treasure.”
Shirts, handbags, jewelry, and shoes are probably the easiest items to swap. Fitted items like jeans are harder to swap because every body is different, esp in the hip and rear area. Invest in a great pair of perfect fitting designer jeans and you’ll wear them year after year with a million different tops and styles. It’s the single most important thing in any woman’s wardrobe, and designer jeans are built to stand the test of time. Plus, they wear well and won’t breakdown after washing them a dozen times.
I personally recommend brands like 7 for All Mankind and Calvin Klein. You can buy these brands and more at Stein Mart for amazingly low prices. Stein Mart is similar to stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls.
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