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Here's the frugal fashionista's guide to dressing well on a shoestring:

1. Take an inventory of your wardrobe and make a list of things you need.  Buying from a list will keep you focused and curb impulse buying.

2. Buy the best quality clothes that you can afford.  They'll last longer, wear better, and ultimately, cost you less than buying garments of inferior quality.

3. Buy classic styles.  These will stand the test of time and not date you as easily as buying into trends.

4. Opt for mix-and-match separates. If you buy carefully, a little will go a long way.  Five well-chosen tops combined with two pairs of pants will give you ten combinations, for example. Two colour co-ordinated special outfits that don't go with anything else will give you only two combinations.

5. Go for a simple colour story. Build your wardrobe around three colours that look good on you - usually a base colour, a neutral colour and a highlight colour, i.e, black, white and green or chocolate, ivory and rust.  Not only will this create more mix-and-match opportunities, it will reduce the number of accessories that you need.

6. Generally opt for solids over patterns. Solids mix and match more easily and are less easily remembered than prints, making you look like you have a lot more clothes than you really do. But don't forget that a fabulous pattern that you love can be the centre of your wardrobe and can add colour.

7. Buy on sale whenever possible. Join your favourite store's mailing list to take advantage of insider sales notifications. Also, frequent the designer seconds shops and make the rounds of the factory and discount shops, op shops and even garage sales. With a little bit of persistence, you can find quality pieces at affordable prices.

8. Read your fashion literature - to be inspired, and check out new trends.  FashioNZ is free online and e-mails a free weekly Fashion Report.

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