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By Frugillionaire
 Choose your clothing strategically to make the most of a limited budget. Here are seven smart choices that’ll keep you fashionable for less:
1. Buy clothes in colors that mix and match. Neutrals give you the most mileage out of pants, skirts, suits, and shoes.
2. Buy clothes that are versatile, such as pieces you can dress up or down. The more outfits you can make from a few garments, the more money you’ll save!
3. Buy classic clothes. Stick to items that stay in fashion, and you’ll never run the risk of looking outdated.
4. Avoid trendy clothes. Don’t spend your hard-earned money on something that’ll be “out” in a few short months.
5. Buy clothes that fit. Don’t waste money on clothes that need to be tailored—or pieces you can’t wear until you drop those extra pounds.
6. Buy clothes that flatter you. You’ll wear them much more often, and avoid wasting money on wardrobe “mistakes.”
7. Accessorize. Instead of dropping $200 on a new outfit, freshen up an old one with a $20 scarf.
By Frugillionaire
 Would you like to have a stylish wardrobe, without spending a fortune? Frugal fashionistas swear by the following techniques:
1. Wait for sales. Never pay full price for department store clothing; it’s almost guaranteed to be on sale sometime in the near future.
2. Shop out of season. If you’re willing to buy a winter coat in June, or a bikini in October, you’ll be rewarded with big savings!
3. Buy vintage. Consignment shops and vintage clothing stores are a treasure trove of finely-tailored, classic clothing.
4. Shop eBay. Online auctions are a great source of gently-used, brand name clothing—at rock bottom prices.
5. Swap with friends. Trade clothing, handbags, and accessories with frugal friends. It’s a great way to double (or triple!) your wardrobe.
6. Swap online. Websites like Bigwardrobe.com help you trade clothes you’re not wearing for something “new.”
7. Shop your closet. Before you buy anything new, take a peek into the dark recesses of your closet. You may discover something you can bring back into regular rotation.
By Frugillionaire
 An article of clothing is a good investment only if you wear it often. Otherwise, it sits in your closet, giving you no benefit—reminding you of the wasted money that could have been put to better use.
Therefore, resist the temptation to buy “wish” clothes—those items that are more appropriate for your fantasy self than your real one.
Fancy dresses, for example, won’t jump-start your social calendar. Wait to buy the ballgown until the black tie invitation’s in hand.
Exercise wear won’t make you an athlete. Refrain from splurging on sport-specific apparel until you’re actually involved in the sport.
And finally, by all means, don’t shop for the you who’s ten pounds thinner. Skinny clothes won’t help you lose the weight; they’ll just remind you that you haven’t. Purchase clothes in the size you wear now, and reward yourself with something new after you’ve shed the pounds!
By Frugillionaire
 Today I’m going to share one of the best secrets of frugal fashionistas: you can up the chic-factor of almost any outfit simply by donning a scarf. It’s the easiest and most effective way to get BIG style on a small budget.
Why drop $200 on a brand new outfit, when you can spice up an old one with a $20 scarf?
A scarf can instantly add pizzazz to almost any item of clothing. Its magic: the power of distraction. Our brains are wired to pick out the brightest, most colorful, or visually-interesting stimuli in a given scene (and ignore the duller details). Therefore, adding a lively scarf to a tired outfit will make the whole ensemble look fresh to the eyes of beholders.
What’s more: scarves are super-trendy this season, and stores are stocked with them. You’ll have plenty of choices, and look wonderfully chic with minimal expense!
Instead of buying new clothes this fall, slash your fashion budget with this simple strategy—and keep your money in the bank. In the midst of a recession, it’s more fashionable to have a fat wallet than a full closet!
Don’t worry if you’re a newbie to the world of scarves. The following sites take the mystery out of how to properly wear (and tie) one:
Scarf Tying Guide
Style 101: How to wear a scarf
Zia Moda: How to tie a scarf
By Frugillionaire
 Don’t toss that sock with a hole, or shirt with a missing button. Do as your grandparents did: mend it!
Learn to make these small repairs, and you’ll save a ton of money—by extending the life of your clothes, and reducing the need to replace them.
No sewing machine? No problem. In most cases, a simple needle and thread will do.
Borrow a basic sewing book from the library, or search the internet for instruction. You’ll find online tutorials for a plethora of mending tasks—following are some examples:
How to Replace a Missing Button – eHow.com
How to Mend a Split Seam – eHow.com
How to Repair a Hem – eHow.com
How to do it: Darn Socks – zigzagstitch
A Guide to Mending Your Clothing, Zippers and Fabric – About.com
By Frugillionaire
 We all have plenty of extra stuff around the house—books we’ve read, clothes that don’t fit, video games we’re tired of, DVDs we won’t watch again. Why not swap some of those castoffs for something new? Instead of paying cash for that latest bestseller (or trendy pair of jeans), go online and make a trade!
Here’s ten of the hottest swapping sites on the web:
1. SwapTree – books, CDs, DVDs and video games
2. PaperBackSwap – paperbacks, hardbacks, textbooks and audio books
3. SwapStyle – clothes, accessories, cosmetics and shoes
4. BigWardrobe – clothes, shoes and accessories
5. SwapThing – music, collectibles, electronics and more
6. SwapaCD – CDs
7. SwapaDVD – DVDs
8. Zwaggle – children’s toys, clothing and other gear
9. Toyswap – toys
10. Rehash – clothes, accessories and books
They provide a great opportunity to clear out your clutter, and do some “shopping,” without spending a dime!
By Frugillionaire
 Have you looked in the back of your closet lately? Chances are you have clothes lurking in there that haven’t seen the light of day for months (or even years)!
Bigwardrobe.com lets you trade the clothes you’re not wearing for something “new.” The worldwide online fashion swap boasts members in 80 countries, and over 5000 swaps per month. And you’re not limited to clothing–you can trade handbags, shoes, scarves and other accessories too.
Once you join, post photos and descriptions of what you have to offer, and you’ll receive swap or cash proposals from other members. The service is free; you only pay for shipping. It’s a great way to build your wardrobe, and stay in style, while hardly spending a dime!
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