10 Budget Saving Tips to Achieve a Polished & Professional Image

1. Shop for fit, not size – for every U.S. size there is approximately 12 variations in that size and this does not take into account the variations in color dyes which can alter the size (some shrinkage can take place).

2. Practice the 80/20 rule - 20% of the clothes in your wardrobe are worn 80% of the time, so reverse this statistic and start wearing the other 80% that has been lying dormant in your closet. It will not only preserve your favorite pieces that you've been wearing repeatedly but also give you new options to wear.

3. Streamline your wardrobe - donate articles of clothing you know you will never wear again. This will help you see more clearly those items you forgot you had because you couldn't see everything.

4. Separate your suits - mix up your suits and use each piece as a separate ensemble. Pair your suit bottom with a sweater and a different textured type of jacket (i.e., leather or corduroy blazer). Alternatively, pair suit jacket with your denim jeans for a modern casual look.

5. Use friends & family – borrow or swap clothing and accessories with family or friends. This helps to inject new pieces into your wardrobe without spending any money.

6. Be kind to your feet - take footwear to get polished and if necessary, resoled. It is less expensive to get your shoes/boots fixed than to go out and buy a new pair.

7. Invest in new accessories - purchase scarves, handbags or fashion jewelry in the newest trends or colors to help keep you current and modern looking. Purchasing a few new accessories is less expensive than investing in a whole new outfit.

8. Care for your fabrics - don't feel the need to take everything to the dry cleaners all the time. Many dry cleaning solutions break down fabrics quickly. Be sure to immediately remove dry cleaner plastic wrap when the garment comes back from cleaners; leaving the plastic wrap on breaks down the garment's fabric more rapidly.

9. Imitation is the best form of flattery - get ideas about how to pull together outfits, colors, and patterns by taking notice of store mannequins or visiting retail websites.

10. Befriend your tailor - find a great tailor in your area and be sure to take any clothing to him/her for alterations. Proper fit is everything and you will look polished and professional at all times.