It is tough times for our disposable income. Our hard earned cash is being pulled in so many directions and many of us women are finding that we are unable to spend on fashion this season – as much as we might like to!

So what can we do to bring some new life into our winter wardrobes without breaking the bank?

Well, when the going gets tough, the tough get smart! So read on for some key tips on how to update your wardrobe for this season without breaking the bank.

The first reassuring fact for us all this season is that there are no ‘new’ fashions this season – all the key looks this season are trends we have seen before – so we can go back to our wardrobes and re-invent, re-style and accessorise many items in there.

Winter coats

If you are in the market for a new winter coat this year, there are a couple of areas you need to give some thought; firstly, do you want your coat to make a colourful statement? If so, you will find fashion colours along the high street, in particular, purple or red will give you the dramatic, eye-catching look you are after.

Secondly, if you are looking for a winter coat which is a little more of an investment, choose a neutral shade such as Charcoal Grey, Chocolate Brown, Camel or Pewter. You can then so easily team it with a brightly coloured scarf, gloves and hat to bring it alive.

For those of us who are bringing our trusty winter coat out of the cupboard, give it a fresh look and have it professionally dry cleaned – many of us forget to freshen up our outerwear each year but our coats take a battering with the weather, hanging on backs of doors, thrown in and out of cars etc. Then, you can inject colour, for example, with a purple scarf, purple leather gloves etc and you will have instantly brought your look right up to date.

One of the key trends this season is a tartan. A fabulous way to update your winter coat is to add a tartan corsage. It will give a new dimension to the coat itself and create interest for your style. You’ll find them at various high street stores or online Scottish websites for authentic tartan. But why not have a go at making one yourself?

Dresses

Even though as I write this, the temperature has plummeted to -1 degrees(!), in general we are seeing less of a difference in our seasons. This is showing through the fashions and if you take a look at the party dresses in the shops for this season, you will see how spring like they look.

So, take your wrap dress you wore throughout spring and summer, team it with some funky coloured high denier tights and add your long boots. You’ve created yourself a new outfit with existing items from your wardrobe! If your dress has short or three quarter sleeves, why not think about wearing a long sleeved t-shirt in a complimentary colour, underneath. Not only do you keep warm that way but you also achieve the trendy layered look with ease.

Purple

Many of us will have Christmas parties to attend in the coming weeks. You will no doubt have an outfit lurking in the wardrobe which can be re-invented for this occasion. By simply adding a purple accessory such as a bracelet, shoes, necklace or clutch bag, you will give the outfit a stunning new look.

Make-Up

We often are so keen to buy new clothes and update our look that we forget that one of the easiest ways we can do this is through our make-up. Selecting and wearing a new eye pencil in a different shade can transform our look. Make sure you receive advice from your local Style Consultant on your best shades.

Knit

In my work as an Image Consultant, while out personal shopping with clients, I have noticed many woolly, soft scarves in fantastic seasonal colours such as purple and red. However, many of my clients, instead of rushing out to the shops to purchase one of these accessories, are instead, picking up their knitting needles and creating their own! So, don’t be afraid to do the same – you may well find that all your friends want one of your creations too!

Buttons

Knitwear is a continuing trend this season. So why not re-style last year’s cardigans or sweaters? You can do this very easily with changing the buttons on an existing cardigan. For example, I recently removed the coloured buttons of one of my old cardigans and replaced with more glamorous buttons. They were very inexpensive, took just a few minutes to sew on and completely transformed the look of the cardigan. It can now not only be worn with jeans but with the glamorous buttons, would compliment any party dress.

There are so many things you can do to give your wardrobe an updated look without breaking the budget. I have tried to give you some ideas to start you off but you could always consult your local Style Consultant for more ideas.