Dressing Well’s Fall Fashion Tips

In today's tough economic climate, it is survival of the fittest. Retailers are slashing prices to lure you in and get you to spend as much as possible. If you are in need of some new clothes and accessories, now is a great time to shop. However, like anything else in life, slowing things down and focusing before you act is prudent.

Here are seven tips to help you make the most of the sales racks while protecting your closet from becoming a landfill of things that you really don't need and have the potential to cost you your sanity in terms of clutter in the long run. Remember, when it comes to clothes, a bargain is only a bargain if it works for your lifestyle and figure, fits into your day-to-day clothing storage space and doesn't put you into debt:

Schedule some time in your closet before you head to the mall. An organized approach to shopping continues to be the number one action step our clients thank us for time and time again. Review what you have, identify what needs to be replaced and with pen and paper in hand write up a priority list. This exercise will keep you focused at the store and better able to make good decisions in light of sales tag pressure.

Motivate yourself to downsize your wardrobe before you add more. Recessions are a great time to let go of what you don't need while putting some cash in your pocket. Consider selling some of your better castaways at a local consignment shop. Consignment stores are one of the business success stories of the recession. Make their popularity work for you. Donate other things to charity and take the tax write-off. The handy workbook "Money for Used Clothes," — available for sale in our online store — is a great tool for accurately tracking charitable donations. You'll be amazed at what you can legitimately deduct using the book's easy to follow formulas.

Vow to add and release. Once you have the volume in your closet at a manageable place, vow to release something every time you add something new. This is a powerful way to change your relationship with material possessions and ultimately spend less money. With all that is going on in the world that is out of your control, transforming your closet into an oasis of peace and calm is a gift you can give yourself every morning when you get dressed. The key is to manage the incoming and outgoing simultaneously.

Have your cake and eat it too. If you have champagne tastes but are living on a beer budget at the moment, visit designer outlets and make them go the extra mile for you. For instance, showing your AAA card at the Wrentham Premium Outlet Malls here in the Boston area, gains you access to a coupon booklet full of even more discounts at the outlets. Before you head out to outlet shop, visit Outlet Bound to search for outlets in your neck of the woods and what they are currently offering in today's buyer's market.

Don't Forget the Hall Closet During your Pre-Shopping Check-Up. Look at your coats and totes before heading to the stores. End of season coat sales are up to 70% off right now. A trench with a zip-in, zip-out lining could be the only coat you need for spring and beyond. Consider adding a scarf in a color you love to get you mentally psyched for spring. Citrus shades such as lemon, lime and tangerine are the rage right now and look bold and chic with black, navy and beige trench coats. If your tote bag is looking shabby, this might be a good time for an upgrade in this area as well.

Shells and Shoes — Less Really is More. Sometimes all it takes is a few new tops and some killer new shoes to give you what will feel like a whole new wardrobe. Adding these items can be done super cost effectively. Shoe departments in particular are overstocked. Shop at slow times — before noon and after 6:00 pm — and ask a willing salesperson to work the selection for you — i.e. ask to see all the chocolate boots in your size if you are looking for a pair. Find tops everywhere and hold out for the colors, necklines, sleeve-lengths and fabrics that are classics and will serve you well long after the recession is over. "Shoe and shell shopping" is also a cost effective way to transition your wardrobe from winter to spring.

Coupons & Charge Cards. Finally, don't forget about coupons and credit card promotions. Google the stores you will be visiting before you leave the house and download coupons. Newspapers and your daily mail are also good sources of these amazing discount tools. Keep coupons in your car or purse so you don't leave them behind when you head to the store. Opening a store credit card and saving an extra 10% can also make sense if you are spending a considerable amount of money. Added bonus: you'll automatically receive future store promotion notices as one of their preferred shoppers.

Last Word — Yes, the sales are plentiful but discipline and common sense are required by everyone these days. If you have a tendency to get into credit card trouble, pay cash. It will keep you honest — promise!

Fashion picks provided by Mary Lou Andre, President of Organization By Design, Inc., a full-service wardrobe management and fashion consulting firm servicing corporate, retail and individual clients since 1992. To learn more about Organization By Design, log on to dressingwell.com.

"One day I managed to spill paint all over my beautiful camelhair winter coat. I drove directly to Dependable Cleaners and begged them to try and save my coat. Two days later, I was so pleasantly surprised! It was beautiful work. The moral of the story is that paint and coats don't mix - but if they do - call Dependable!"

Shana C., Belmont