Designer Discipline Fashion: Fiscally Fashionable

Organization

In the midst of the busyness of the week, I took time to do what I try to do at least bi-monthly, which is organize my closet!  While a mundane task for most…it’s quite the pleasure for me. As I share more information about myself – you’ll learn that I am extremely organized.  Disorder frustrates me.  So this process is something that is necessary in my life as sometimes in the hustle and bustle of the week, clothing gets out of “my order.”

Alterations

I also take stock of what may need to be retired, donated and or altered. Alterations provide a financial benefit. You can change the whole look of a dress by taking it up, v cutting the back, or any other creative alteration for the look you may want to achieve. This can all be accomplished by finding a local seamstress or by doing it yourself.

During my last organization closet session, I came across a pair of camouflage pants purchased some time ago from Zara. My calves have slimmed, so when I tried them on, I didn’t like the fit below the knee.  Rather than donate them, I simply cut them. I cut them clear above the knee – similar to what some of us are old enough to remember our parents doing when we were younger – turning pants into jeans. LOL The result is in the posted pics.

High/Low Fashion

Another fashion favorite fiscal trend I adhere to is, “High/Low Fashion.” For example, a simple t-shirt paired with a “high fashion” pair of heels.

Designer Discipline Definition of High Fashion: Trend-setting, unique, exclusive quality items according to one’s own sense of style.

So it is very possible to do high fashion in your own way! It is also possible to find quality pieces by being familiar with brand quality and searching for it; still with the understanding that you will sometimes simply pay more for the things you love.

My love is not unlike the love of many – shoes & purses.  I would spend a pretty penny on both.  As I’ve grown in my view of fiscal responsibility, I no longer adhere to spending a great deal of money to obtain quality. I have learned the art of attending sample sales and searching on sites that cater to new, up and coming designers who have a great variety of shoes, purses and clothing items.

My criteria? Simple:

1. QUALITY: Items must be made with quality material. Quality pieces will last and you can label them “vintage” when you wear them years later, as I did with my favorite Merazzi heels (pictured), because they stand the test of time.

2. QUANTITY: Items must be available in limited quantities. Limited quantity, because who wants to be a fashion clone of everyone else?  Luckily most new American and Italian designers will have exclusive limited releases.

Fashion Flexibility

This is not to say you will not splurge on a “must have,” but as one of my best girlfriends knows, for me – it will have to be what I call a “wow” item.  Something that will make heads turn and say, “wow!” – with the first “wow” of course belonging to me if I am going to spend top dollar.

Method

So in summary, the Designer Discipline method of being fiscally fashionable is:

• ALTER: Alter old pieces to make new pieces.

• HIGH/LOW: Mix and match “high/low” items, and be creative in obtaining those high items inexpensively whenever possible.

• YOUR DESIGN: Most importantly, cater to your own style and design of fashion, whether high or low.

Dressing Up/Dressing Down

In future fashion blogs I will touch on dressing down and dressing up a look, which is an approach I took during this photo shoot by pairing my camouflage pants/ altered into shorts (Zara), with my stilettos (vintage Claudio Merazzi), and my sneakers (Jordan1 Flight 2); along with alternating black and white t-shirts (Designer Discipline).

And remember, while we all want to be fit and fashionable, it’s also fashionable and important to be fiscally fit!

Until next time…Designer Discipline