Mens Fashion | Closet Tips Part 1: When To Spend

Whilst shopping, my mother is always keen to remind me that, "If you buy cheap, you buy twice". Knowing when to spend a little extra and when to save will not only help you keep a better check on your finances, it may also prove rather beneficial to your wardrobe! So with the recession in mind, here at Haute Mimi, we thought we would give you a few tips on where to spend and where to save.

Feel free to SPEND on...

A navy blue suit.
There is nothing more sexy and important in a man's closet than his suit. If one were only able to purchase a single suit, we would recommend a good navy blue. The navy blue suit is considered to be the perfect 'interview and office' suit. The colour psychologically exudes an aura of calm and it reads as dependable and trustworthy.

When worn with a crisp white shirt, plain tie and on black leather lace up shoes, the navy suit is guaranteed to look smart and presentable. Yet equally, one could pair the suit with a somewhat more casual open collar striped shirt, brown belt and penny loafers - a wonderful daytime outfit perfect for a Spring date. With regards to spending, be sure to splash out that little extra in order to have the suit altered to fit you perfectly. An ill fit will always reduce your overall look!

A pair of dark blue, slim fitting jeans.

The eternal quest for that perfect pair of jeans shall always deserve one spending a little extra. However a pair of good quality, dark blue, slim fitting denim jeans will serve you well in the meanwhile. Again, as with the navy suit, the positive factor here is the inherent versatility of the jeans.

One can easily pair them with black leather shoes, a white shirt, skinny tie and cardigan, for a smart look with a slight edge. Yet quite easily, one could also pair them with a colourful pair of high top sneakers, graphic print t-shirt and yellow nylon jacket for the weekend. The slimmer fit (or straight if you happen to have larger thighs) works well as it is instantly smarter in its profile when compared to standard jeans.

A pair of smart leather lace up shoes.
One can be forgiven for thinking that shoes are perhaps not the wisest of investments, however the truth is that one will, in most probability, be wearing these for the majority of the week. A good pair of brogue (wingtips), derby or oxford shoes will serve you well. These shoes will add the perfect polish to your outfit and are quite literally a timeless design. Our top tip with regards to smart shoes is to make friends with your local cobbler, as they will be able to help keep your shoes in perfect condition for years to come.

A smart long coat.

Again the thinking here is that for the winter months, one often finds that even the most creative of outfits end up covered by a coat. A woolen double breasted pea coat or single breasted above the knee coat; or equally a thinner trench coat are classic in their design and practical for almost any outfit. A darker colour is preferred as it will fit comfortably with formal attire. Remember that a good fit is essential to finshing your look and will help it to look timeless.

A pair of lace up leather boots.
A good pair of brown leather (or suede) lace up ankle boots are a wonderfully versatile and practical investment. Their functionality for winter months or outdoors work are not to be underestimated, and indeed their inherent ruggedness means that they will serve you for years. These can be worn in a number of smart and casual ways. For example one could easily wear them under suit trousers on icy days.

Please be sure to come back for advice on when to save and more...

How to Be Glamorous On A Budget

Congratulations! You're out shopping for the best of reasons. The whole world is on sale. But what are you shopping for? Another cheap t-shirt? Forget it. Choose glamour. Give your shopping brain cells a reason to live... Who cares if you're broke when you make it look so good? Glamour is affordable, anyway. It's a state of mind.

Be Glamorous.

Think, does this look glamourous? This is the standard by which all must be measured. Let's say you're in the store, holding up another future trash tee shirt. How can you break free? Ask yourself this brutal question every time. Is this glamorous? By the virtue of having to ask, it's probably not. Glamour is elusive and you must move on.

Wear A Dress.

Put on a dress. Try wandering into a far off land: the dress department. Yes, it feels like Mars, but glamour is best found in a dress. Ignore the sizes; they're meaningless. Your glamour-ness is more important. Try a dress on to fit the largest, most glorious part of your body. Then get the thing altered. No woman of daring would consider otherwise.

Be Au Courant.

Step into this century. Some readers can bypass this step, but note that this isn't about age. Just look in a full-length mirror. You know who you are. Your clothing silhouette is most important. It needs to be current. Don't go down the weight sadness path now. You'll defeat glamour every time. When a woman of girth or bones announces she looks magnificent, the world is at her feet, ignoring her size. Another attribute of glamour.

Your Hairstyle Counts.

Do a hair check. What is glamour without the hair? A sad pile of protein. Well, smooth it out and brush it into glory. Smile into the mirror and think about all the money you're saving.

Accessories Count Big Time.

Ah, the biggest glamour killer. Mostly found in the concept of too much. Too much jewelry. Too much purse. We're not layer cakes. Let accessories adorn you. They're lucky to see the light of day.

Add Some Sparkle.

We may have lost all the value in our 401K's but why look like it? Not into the bling? Use sparkle, sheen or glisten. Buy a cheap pair of wild (for you) sunglasses. Step it up a bit. Be daring. Just don't go tacky on me. The best glamour is based on mystery and intrigue.

This article originally posted on Ehow.com click here to see the entire version.

-Katina Le Kerr