This post was exactly what I needed! I am in a style rut and I feel like I have nothing to wear and have no idea where to start building my wardrobe. Thank you Angie for giving me direction!

I totally agree with this. I just got my hair cut and I feel it will make a real difference in renewing my style!

This is so right on.

Great advice Angie! Makes loads of sense. I am going to have to address the hairstyle part due to the summer humidity in Minnesota. I curled my hair this a.m. and before I was done, the whole thing was FLAT and UNCURLED! I usually have to wear it in a pony tail or something all summer. I am going to be on the hunt for some flattering ways to achieve a polished look while wearing it up.

Susan D

This is a great post, Angie. Exactly the kind of useful, to-the-point advice that we all expect from your book one day.

I’ve got the new hair and new shoes down, and it’s amazing how they’ve made me feel better about everything else in my wardrobe, too. What I was getting bored with now looks new again.

I don’t change my bag often as I have a black leather MJ that was a gift from my boyfriend, and I wear it three out of four seasons. It’s currently resting for the summer though, and I’m on the hunt for something brighter and more fun. Hopefully when I find it I won’t need to make any further purchases for a while.

Great advice for getting started on your style makeover. If you are looking for shoes, check out http://www.modista.com. They can help you find shoes for any budget. Warning: you may spend a lot of time on the Modista web site.

Great post, thanks Angie.
I have been fortunate to find great, inexpensive bags at TJMaxx. I have gotten compliments from friends, family, and random strangers – even while purusing Saks.

Great post!

This is a very interesting subject because I think we all are have a budget and any advice how to make the most of it is always welcome!

A dated hair style dates you, so I absolutely agree this is the first place to start. As I said on another blog post, I do not understand why WNTW saves the hair cut for last?

Shabby, tired shoes are never fashionable, no matter how classic the style. People really do notice your shoes! But if you do have some decent, classic shoes (like pumps) that have gotten tired, take them to a cobbler. For little $ they can do magic and make them look new again.

As for handbag, this is one place you can have a lot of fun and add interest to basic wardrobe pieces.

Can I add a #4? How about “hem your skirts, dresses and capris to knee length.” Instant style renewal for not much $! (Free if you can sew).

Thanks for this post, Angie. This has been my issue- tight budget and a real need for style renewal- so I appreciate being reminded of how I should be approaching this. To me, it’s so much more fun to pick up cute tops because I’m not a shoe or handbag person. But I’m going to refocus, get some shoes and a new bag! I’m trying to decide on hair.

Until I joined this forum, i had no idea you could look stylish on a tight budget.
Once I couldn’t afford Nordstrom anymore, I just stopped shopping. I sort of gave up! Seeing all the stylish and thrifty people on this forum made me realize I had no excuses- and I’m so proud of my bargain finds!

I’ve definitely been looking at my wardrobe in this light lately because I’m pregnant. Rather than spend a ton of money on maternity wear it seems much more practical to focus on hair, bras, shoes, and bags and only get a handful of nice maternity pieces that I can wear to death.

I also think this list applies even you aren’t on such a budget. These are the pieces that give a lot of polish for the buck.

I think the reason WNTW does the haircut at the end is so you get one big visual improvement (hair, makeup, clothes) all together. But I think that it makes a lot of sense to do hair first, in the real world!

Thanks, Angie! I love that your blog combines thrifting with high-end.

I buy a lot of my clothes and accessories at Goodwill. The prices are higher than the average thrift store, but it has so much inventory and turnover that its worth it. Goodwill is also so easy to donate to, with all of the donation truck locations, that it gets the best donations. My favorite Clark’s Artisan wedge sandals were purchased in brand new condition for $10.

Another cost-saving tip is to take care of leather shoes and boots. My mom just gave me a shoe polish kit, which will keep my shoes in better condition. I had never done this before but remember my parents doing this when I was a child.

I never think of a handbag as a style renewal must. Interesting!

Shoes and handbags are crucial for a look – but that´s exactly why I don´t buy cheap shoes or bags. You can tell cheap bags or shoes very easily from high quality items. So, I rather wait for a sale.You can always get away with inexpensive tops – but never with a handbag from a discounter.

Thanks, Cricket. As noted in the post below, YLF is for every budget:

http://youlookfab.com/2008/04/.....ry-budget/

Ele, your comments always make me smile. Hope you find another non-black fun bag soon.

Danja, thanks for the link. That’s a good site.

There are loads of women on our forum putting stylish outfits together for between $20-80, and often that includes shoes. It’s especially easy to forgo quality garments when you’re younger (in your teens, 20’s or 30’s). I adore Kasmira’s site http://www.whatiwore2day.blogspot.com/. She is a budget shopper and does a sterling job. She is like a walking work of art and I love it. You have to check it out.

As you get older, I wholeheartedly believe that you have to step up the clothing, footwear and accessory quality quotient, but these items can still be acquired on a budget. Be very selective and purchase fewer things!

Thrifting is powerful and can be very effective, but unfortunately it’s very size focused. If you are between an American size 6 and 10 you’ll do extremely well at consignment and thrift stores. Sizes 4, 12 and sometimes 14 have pretty good luck too. But if you are smaller than a 4 or larger than a 16, thrift stores start to get extremely tedious.

To Rute’s point, everyone is on a budget. My favourite budget site is http://www.thebudgetbabe.com/ . I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the creator Dianna from New England and she ROCKS. I’m also honoured to say that Dianna is a loyal and long time YLF supporter. Tickles my toes.

I think hair is the most important aspect of your look. Keeping the style and color modern and fresh is key to having a great personal style.

Shoes can make a great statement too!

I just visited Kasmira´s site: Oh my god, killer job! She´s just adorable!!!!! Perfect!!

What I like about this Angie, is that you break it down to simple steps.. These 3 things have a HUGE impact,but you make it so simple to achieve the total look. As easy as 123

Thanks for the shout-out, Angie.

I read your post this morning and I had to concur! I know my new hairstyle has made me feel reinvented and renewed.

I thought it would have been really funny if your last paragraph had started:

“With your hairstyle, handbag, boobs, and shoes in place…”

Hi All, I feel strongly about this one so I’ll add my comment. Agreed. Hair is your #1 accessory. Getting it right is the ultimate power booster. Handbag and shoes? Not so much. Most days I’ll leave the bag at home if I can. My shoes are always a classic style and quite neutral. It’s liberating! #2 Accessory, a topper ie: jacket, cardi, wrap, coat…gives structure and power to the head, neck and shoulders. Next the waist #3 a belt. Show off those curves and make your legs look long. Add some attention to the middle, even if it’s not perfect. It’s feminine. I just feel somehow we’ve become addicted to the cult of the shoe and bag. There are other ways.

The plus with being smaller than a 4 or larger than a 10 and hitting consignment shops is that your visit is ultra-quick!!! You don’t have to wade through mounds of options and spend the entire day. This is of course assuming your consignment shop organizes items by size.

Thank you so much Angie! I’ve been in need of a fashion renewal and I CERTAINLY don’t have a whole lot of money to go on, so this advice is particularly poignant for me. Thank you!

I just bought a fab new handbag. YAY, it makes me happy just looking at it.

And I would buy some shoes, but they are so hard to find these days.

Great tips! Just picked up my new summer bag from an outlet and am thrilled with it … was disappointed that most of the bags in the store (maybe 90%?) were plastered with logos. I don’t particularly want to be a walking advertisement. Plus, I’m not one to switch out bags ever so I try to make sure my bag is versatile and complements anything I’ll be wearing.

So true when you think about it. Even if you remix the same black slacks, denim and couple of jackets each week – if the rest is there and is the best you can find in your price range (and deals are out there on high quality items) then you will feel great.
I know if I am not comfortable with my bag (and if my feet hurt!) then I don’t feel right.

If I have a poor wardrobe (like when I was pregnant, nothing including shoes would fit, and my hair had a mind of its own), I would start with a fab haircut and follow it with a great pair of dark blue jeans and white button down shirt before I go to shoes or handbag. You can replace the jeans and white shirt with black dress, or other staple.

Here in CA, often we take off our shoes at the door and leave our handbags on the couch. So, that may influence my preference.

Currently sporting a Bettie Page like hair style instead of the dated Vampirella look, shoes….yea, i’m all for high end support when moving forward through life and since my feet shall be carring me, well….bags, purses, sack…i have my faves BUT…

now i have lost 7 kilos (approx 14 pounds) and ever since moving to Swiss Land a year ago i have been aquiring a NEW wardrobe (b4 the loss) which now does not fit!

sooo…nice hair, beautiful shoes and cool bag MIGHT add a bit of a renewal unfortunately it will not complete this the empty sak o’potato wardrobe i now sport….i highly doubt i could get away with nice hair, patent red heels and an oh so hot bag….see ya in jail packing my three accessories processed for deportation…

someone once told me to purchase clothing in the size i would like to be….reasonably speaking of course and now i wish i had listened!

I definitely agree about hair being the top priority in revamping your look. I have a tendency to let my hair grow out too much between salon visits, and always feel extra stylish when I’ve just had it cut.