Let’s face it, it pays to be fashionable – both realistically and figuratively speaking. When you dress well, you have a certain kind of confidence that sets you apart from everyone else. You will draw attention and admiration from people around you. And especially in today’s competitive world, dressing well gives you an extra edge in important transactions like job applications and interviews.

Like most of us probably think, keeping up with the latest fashion cost – and a lot. Fashion is ever-changing and if you are the type who always want to be “in” when it comes to the latest styles, this can be an expensive habit – more so if you are brand-c0nscious.

But then again, who says you can’t be fashionable without spending so much, or even at all? With a little creativity and diligence, you can strut with the hottest fashion fads without breaking your wallet.

Recycle. Perhaps the oldest trick when it comes to saving. Keeping up with the latest fashion trends doesn’t always mean running to the store and buying all the newest styles you see on TV or fashion magazines. If you’re a little tight on budget or just don’t want to spend so much on clothes, you can go through your closet and mix and match your wardrobe to fit with the latest style. You may be surprised at what you can find and create with your old clothes.

Stir up your creative juices and do some alterations with your wardrobe to keep up with the hottest trends. Decorate, stitch, dye, paint and anything else arty you can think of, do to your old clothes so they will look new and more stylish. You will have a “new” outfit without spending anything!

Invest in the Basics. You can never go wrong with the classic must-haves. Investing in a trusty LBD (little black dress), jacket/ coat, jeans and basic shoes never go out of style. Just mix and match them with your other clothes and you will have a totally new outfit without anyone noticing it. You can never go wrong with the classics. You will have a simple elegance that no latest fashion fad can ever compare with.

Invest in good brands. Like the saying goes, “Buy cheap, buy twice.” Sometimes, buying cheap clothes (and other things for that matter) will cause you to spend more because they don’t last long and you end up buying again, spending even more than you originally intended. While branded names may be a little more (or a lot) expensive than cheap brands, you end up saving more because they last a long time (even a lifetime) and you don’t have to keep on buying. Moreover, wearing a branded name always “levels up” your sense of fashion even when everything else you’re wearing is simple or even cheap.

Garage sale. If you feel you really need to buy a new set of clothes, you can always hold a garage sale and use the proceeds to go on a shopping spree. Many people today go to yard sales because first of all, they are affordable and second, you’ll be surprised at what amazing things you can find in a garage sale. This way, you cleaned out your closet of clothes you don’t want anymore and have money to buy new ones!

Keeping in fashion is undeniably fun. Wearing the latest trends in clothes, shoes, bags, hair, make up and just about everything gives you a sense of confidence that makes everything else bearable. Especially for girls, what could be more wonderful than shopping?!

Being fashionable is never a sin. If you can afford it, you are the luckiest girl in the world. But when you’re on budget, you can still keep up with a little creativity and diligence. Shopping once in a while is okay, even a necessity. We all deserve nice things especially on special occasions like birthdays, job promotion and other events we feel we need to reward ourselves with.

As with all things, the key is control and moderation. As long as you don’t spend more than you can afford, it’s okay to splurge every now and then. If things are a little tight, then it’s time to squeeze out those creative juices to keep up with fashion without breaking your wallet. So go ahead and raid that closet of yours!