MAXIMIZING YOUR STYLE ON A BUDGET

You don't have to spend a lot of money to look like a million bucks. If you have a million dollars, great! If you're like the rest of us who want to look chic without using the grocery money to get a great pair of shoes, rest assured it can be done. Here are some tips on ways to maximize your style on a budget:

Shop with the seasons. You want to have balance in your wardrobe; clothes for all types of weather.

Spread your shopping throughout the year to increase variety and keep your look updated and fresh. Spending a little bit of money every few months can be easier on the checkbook than shattering your bank account a couple of times a year.

Look for sales. There's sure to be some price slashing when it's time for back-to-school or Black Friday, but keep in mind there are sales throughout the year as well. Make sure you read those Saturday morning flyers; you never know when a surprise sidewalk sale is going to pop up at your local mall!

Go Vintage. Check out consignment and second-hand shops, especially those that get their clothes from the "upper west side" of town. You'll get some fantastic bargains on really great clothes.

Shop with cash, and leave the credit cards at home. The interest you can build up before you repay what you spent can end up costing you double or even triple the original purchase price.

Love it or leave it. If you don't feel amazing when you're looking at that dress in the fitting room mirror, leave it at the store. Buying an item that you're not sure about may lead to it getting buried at the back of your closet, never to see the light of day again. If you decide to pass on something but can't stop thinking about it all week, you can always go back and get it.

Mix and Match your pieces so you can go from day to night with the drop of a hator jacket. That slinky top that is perfect for going clubbing can double up on office duty under your suit jacket. You'll get more than your money's worth for items that are versatile.

Splurge on a few key pieces like a great pair of black slacks, dark denim jeans and a flirty blouse. Well-made clothes tend to cost a bit more but they are made with higher quality fabric and will last longer. For these more expensive pieces, choose timeless styles that will still look fashionable years from now. If they start to feel a bit conservative in appearance, don't worry, there are ways to dress them up. See the next point:

Accessorize! Scoop up the latest trend in bangles, earrings and necklaces at the mall. Grab a few pieces of bold costume jewelry that will add character or a punch of color to your outfits. You can spend just a few dollars on pieces that look expensive but aren't.

Buy clothes that fit you now. We all want to lose that last 10 pounds, but buying clothes that will fit us in a couple of months isn't practical. Stick what looks great on you today, and save the reward clothes for when you can wear them home from the store.