How to Avoid the High Cost of Special Occasion Clothing

Having trouble tackling that scary dark abyss in your room that's otherwise known as your closet? Are you wondering where to start? What to do with your castoffs? How to make the most of your space?

Just grab a copy of JoJami Tyler's "The Ultimate Cure for the Dysfunctional Closet" DVD and learn step-by-step how to get the job done. From clearing the clutter to deciding what to keep and what to toss, JoJami covers it all. You can learn more about it here:

http://www.fashionforrealwomen.com/cleancloset.html

The DVD will be available until midnight, April 17th.

As a bonus, JoJami has also agreed to do a teleconference with me where she'll discuss EVEN MORE strategies for getting organized. We may also take some questions, if time permits.

The teleconference will be next Wednesday, April 12th, at 8:00 pm EST and will last about 45 minutes. You can sign up for it here:

How to get special occasion apparel (prom, wedding, graduation, etc.) WITHOUT the high cost.

If you have any of these events on your calendar this year, you may be stressing out about where to find the "perfect" outfit. With all those eyes upon you, you want to look your best. And if you're known for being a bit of a clotheshorse, you may feel compelled to give your audience the kind of ensemble they've come to expect from you.

But before you blow your clothing budget on ONE outfit that you wear for only a few hours, remember the smart woman's mantra for clothes shopping: spend the most money on the clothes you wear the most, the least money on the clothes you wear the least. Don't drop a lot of money on something that's going to be worn once before it's shoved to the back of your closet. Invest in your everyday items. Go cheap on everything else.

Now before you start thinking that I don't understand your situation or your circle of friends, trust me, I do. I've been to social gatherings that run the gamut from small country weddings to big city charity events and have hung out with all sorts of people from housekeepers to surgeons. As the saying goes, "I know from status."

And my advice remains the same: spend as little as you can on the clothes you wear the least. Even for special occasions.

Remember: high impact doesn't have to mean high cost. All you need are a few sure-fire strategies that will allow you to make a grand entrance without spending grandly to do so.

If you've been to a few similar functions in the past, you may already have something on hand that will fit the bill nicely. Pull out those clothes sitting in the back of your closet and take a good look at them. Do you have something that can be worn "as is?" What if you changed the accessories? Added a different top? Paired the jacket with a different skirt? Wore your hair in a different style? What could you come up with? Just because you wore something one way doesn't mean you have to wear it the same way again. Allow your imagination to wonder a bit and you may be surprised at the abundance that you possess.

Don't have anything that meets your needs? Who do you know in your size that might? Would they be willing to lend you their finery? Oftentimes, they will. If they spent a lot of money on special occasion apparel that's just sitting in their closet, chances are they'd be more than willing to put it to good use. I've loaned gowns to friends many times over the years, and have borrowed just as many. Who wants to drop $200 on a cocktail dress for a function you need to attend when you're 8 months pregnant with your 3rd child? Not me! The money is better spent elsewhere. Borrow if it all possible.

When my 16-year-old niece refused to wear the beautiful, atypical $200 bridesmaid dress she'd worn for a wedding to her prom a few months later, my sister-in-law told her that she'd have to pay for her own prom dress then. Undaunted, Kiley started combing the sales racks at the designer outlet mall not far from their home. The result? A sales rack dress beautiful enough to compete with her status-y friends' $400 gowns - for the amazing low price of $14.99. Glance through the weekend circulars in your local paper for similar buys in your area.

I never knew what a goldmine consignment stores could be until after I was married and moved away from home. While my mother always dismissed second hand clothing as being second rate, I knew I must be missing something when one of my early co-workers revealed that consignment shops were the secret behind her fabulous wardrobe. They allowed her to dress incredibly well on her $16,000 a year income.

Have rich tastes but a peasant's pocketbook? Shop upscale consignment shops in your area. You'll be astounded by the merchandise and bargains to be had. Since many of the clothes will still have their original tags still attached, the only thing you'll be losing by shopping consignment is the hefty retail markup - nothing second rate about that. Shop often and grab when the getting's good.

Donation sites like Goodwill and the Salvation Army also offer some incredible bargains if you're willing to do some sifting. Since a lot of people who clean out their closets either don't know about consignment shops or can't be bothered with the extra stop when they're in disposal mode, you can benefit handsomely from their inertia. Wedding dresses, prom dresses, New Year's Eve apparel - you name it - can all be had for next to nothing. Buy it, take it to the cleaners, and wear it like it's brand new - for a fraction of what you'd pay at the mall.

So what if you decide that the event truly warrants something spectacular enough to spend a lot of money on? Then remember this rule of thumb:

Go for the long-term approach instead of the short-term quick fix. Basic, classic styles that you can mix and match for maximum versatility are a far better investment than a single, unforgettable garment. Well-made basics will last you for years, and they can be instantly transformed by adding a snazzy necklace, a lace jacket, a trendy belt, or whatever. The best part? You'll never be caught unprepared when you get a last minute invitation. Like the time my husband called me at 4 o'clock to report that a colleague had just handed him box seat tickets to that evening's performance of a touring sold-out Broadway musical. Having classic separates on hand can mean the difference between looking good and having a great time&ldots;or sitting home with nothing to wear.

You don't have to spend a fortune to look great for special occasions. Start with your own closet, borrow from friends, are hit sales and second hand shops to find what you need.

If you do decide that you want to spend some money on something new, spend wisely. Think beyond the single event you're shopping for and stock your closet with clothes you can wear time and again in a variety of ways. It's the only way to justify the expense.

Remember: spend the most on the clothes you wear the most, the least on the clothes you wear the least.

That way, you'll be able to look good, spend wisely, and dress well for years to come.

Need some other tips on how to put together a special occasion wardrobe that will take you anywhere you need to go? Download a copy of WARDROBE MAGIC to see how easy dressing well can be.

http://www.wardrobemagic.com