One of the challenges of building a wardrobe is keeping up with fashion trends. As you collect clothing items it is not uncommon to eventually find yourself standing in front of a closet that is full of clothes that are out of date but that still have a lot of wear left in them. If you want to get more wear out of these quality items then you need to learn how to update older pieces with accessories and styling.

Accessorizing Within Jewelry
One of the easiest ways to update the look of an older dress, shirt or suit is to use jewelry. Necklaces in particular can be very helpful at modifying the look of a clothing item to make it more modern and chic. For example, the style of the necklace, its length, its colors and the size of the beads on the necklace will influence how modern or stylish your new outfit will look. To modernize the look of your wardrobe just select a necklace that is fashionable for today's standards and that also compliments the colors of your older wardrobe pieces.

Accessorizing With Belts
Belts are a great fashion styling item. They can be used to change the shape of an older piece of clothing to make it more fashion forward. Belts are also relatively inexpensive so you can afford to invest in multiple pieces. The height of the belt, its color, its buckle design and its general pattern will be useful in updating the look of an old suit, an old shirtdress or an older pair of slacks. You can also use belts to add a punch of color to an otherwise neutral outfit. If you are losing weight, belts can be used to modify your clothes' fit until you are ready to buy a smaller size.

Other Accessories
Hats, scarves, gloves and leggings are other accessories that you can use to modernize your out-dated wardrobe. All of these items are relatively inexpensive so it is okay to buy trendier looks. You will need them to be trendy as they will be what update the look of your outfits. As you buy accessories, however, think about what you are going to be comfortable wearing. If you are not a rhinestones and leopard print type of person don't buy accessories with these design features. Remember your wardrobe is supposed to reflect who you are.

Clothes that you buy at stores are sized based on standards set by the pattern makers. These sizes are based on average body proportions and dimensions. As you are most likely well aware of, few bodies have these exact dimensions and shapes and that is why clothing off the rack doesn't always fit or flatter your body's shape. Fortunately, there are ways to make off the rack clothes fit your body better.

Tip #1 - Use Belts

One simple way to make adjustments to the shape and fit of clothing is to utilize a belt. Belts can be used with jeans and slacks to help bring in the waist of pants that are a little too big, or they can be added to a shirt to create a more tailored look. You can also use belts of different colors and textures to add a point of visual interest to your outfit.

Tip #2 - Make Adjustments to the Seams

If you are between sizes then you will want to buy the next size up and then make adjustments to the seams. You can do this simply by figuring out where the clothing is too big and then by taking in the seams. Usually you will only need to take in the side seams to make a shirt or a pair of pants fit your shape better. When you take in the seams you need to do it evenly on both sides so that the clothing item will fit properly on your body.

Tip #3 - Make Adjustments to the Length of the Item

Another dimension that may not fit your body properly is the length of the clothing item. If the item is too long then you can hem the bottom of the item. This is a very simple fix that even novices can handle. Keep in mind that you can shorten shirts and jackets, as well as pants, shorts and skirts. Hemming can be done by hand with a needle and thread, or it can be done using a sewing machine. There are also hemming tapes that you can use to quickly set a hem. You can use the tape to hold the hem for a day while you wear the item, or you can use it to hold the hem in place while you stitch it up with a needle and thread.

One of the best ways to build a fashionable and affordable wardrobe is to shop for clothes and accessories online. However, shopping online can be very challenging if you do not know how to select items based on their descriptions and photographs. If you want to enhance your wardrobe with online purchases then you need to learn how to translate the information given on a website into clues for how the clothing or accessory items will fit your body and existing clothing collection.

Tip #1 - Read the Sizing Chart
The first thing that you will want to do when shopping online is to read the sizing chart for the item that you are interested in. Keep in mind that some of the sizing information provided in the product's description is based on a specific size, usually a small size. To get the sizing information for your size you will need to go to the site's official sizing page. If this information is not available then you can call the customer service line to get specific sizing information about the item that interests you.

Tip #2 - Use Photographs of Your Clothes to Mix and Match
Since you are enhancing your existing wardrobe with the online items it can be very helpful to have digital images of your key wardrobe pieces so that you have something to work with when selecting items based on photographs. You can use your photographs as references when selecting online items to build an outfit or a specific type of wardrobe, such as a work wardrobe or a school wardrobe. This strategy also works for selecting accessories.

Tip #3 - Know Your Measurements
Since you can't try on clothes that are offered by online clothing stores, you need to know your body measurements. You will need to take your bust/chest measurement, your waist measurement, your hip measurement, your arm length, your dress length and your inseam measurement. If you are a woman then you will also need to know your bra size and your underbust measurement. Keep these measurements on a piece of paper so you can refer to them when shopping for clothes online.

You need to put as much thought into your eye wear selections as you do into the rest of your wardrobe. Fortunately, shopping for eye wear, whether it is fashion eye wear for everyday use or sunglasses for outdoor use, is a lot of fun. Today there are hundreds of different types of glasses to choose between, ensuring that you will not have a hard time finding the frame style, lens features and frame colors that you are interested in.

Prescription Glasses
If you need corrective lenses then it is a good idea to start your eye wear wardrobe with a good pair of prescription glasses. Even if you normally wear contacts, having a pair of glasses is a good idea, as they can provide your eyes with a break from the close contact of contact lenses. When selecting frames for your prescription glasses you need to select a style that is going to compliment the shape of your face and that will also reflect your personality. People with very outgoing personalities will want to select frames that are a bit more daring and loud than those that are selected by people with a more laid back personality.

Sunglasses
You have a lot of choices when it comes to sunglasses. The first aspect of your sunglasses that you need to think about is the type of lens treatment the glasses have. If you need prescription sunglasses then you will want to look for lenses that change color in the light. This type of lens will provide you with clear glass when you are inside and darkened glass when you are outside. You can also select polarized lens treatments and impact resistant lens treatments.

After selecting the right type of lenses for your sunglasses you will next want to look at the frames. The style of the frames for your sunglasses needs to reflect your activity level. If you are very active in sports then you will want to select sports frames, which wrap around your face and they tend to be more resistant to impacts. If you use your sunglasses for wandering around and hanging out, then you will want to look for more fashionable frames.

When you are building a wardrobe you need to think about adding items that have specific purposes. For example, you will have collections of clothing that are for work, clothing collections that are for going out and having fun and clothing collections that are for going on vacation. When you are building your vacation wardrobe you will want to look for functional clothing items that are also fashionable.

Activity Specific Clothing Items
The clothing items that you purchase for your vacation wardrobe will reflect what you will be doing on your vacation and where you will be going. You will have several different types of vacation clothing, with items selected for the most common activities you participate in while on vacation. For example, if you are a camper you will want to select clothing items that are breathable, that are durable and that will protect your body from insect bites, scratches from vegetation and that will stretch and move with you. You will also want to select footwear that has a good tread and that are supportive of your feet.

On the other hand, if you are planning a luxury vacation, such as going on a cruise, your clothing choices are going to be different from those selected for going camping. First of all you will need a formal outfit for dining and night time activities aboard the cruise ship. You will also need casual wear for touring ports and lounging around on the ship. Finally, you will need great swimwear that is flattering to your figure.

If you will be traveling abroad then you will need to select clothing items for your vacation wardrobe that are culturally acceptable for the country that you will be visiting. For example, if you are going to a country that is more conservative than the United States, then you will want to select clothing items that cover your arms and legs and that also have a more conservative neckline. When selecting clothing items you will want to look for clothing options that are comfortable, that resist wrinkling and that flatter your shape and body type. You will also want to select clothing items that are appropriate for the climate and weather conditions that you will be encountering in the foreign country.

Today, fitness activities are a major part of people's schedules. However, many people don't give their fitness wardrobe much thought. As a result their workout outfits are ill fitted, they are not flattering and they do not provide the person with the protection that they need from chafing and rashes. Fortunately, all of these problems can be resolved by simply giving your fitness wardrobe a little thought.

Sizing Fitness Clothing
While you may not think that the size of your fitness clothing makes much of a difference it is actually very important to wear fitness clothes that actually fit your body. Clothes that are too tight can keep your body parts from completing their full range of motion, they can cause serious chafing and they can cause rashes and sores from rubbing on your skin. Fitness clothing that is too loose can also cause problems. For example, loose clothing can get caught up in fitness machines, it can cause chafing and it can make completing exercises difficult to do because the material gets in the way.

The best way to avoid all of these problems is to select fitness clothing that fits your body properly. This means that it is lose enough that you can bend, twist and stretch without discomfort and that it is form fitting enough to prevent material from getting caught in fitness equipment or bunching up on you. If you don't know what size to get look at the sizing chart found on the clothing item or on the website.

Selecting Fitness Clothing Pieces
To develop a fitness wardrobe you will want to start at your feet and work your way up. To begin with you will want to buy socks that are designed for sports. These socks will give you a little more padding at the Achilles' tendon, they will be more absorbent and they will provide you more cushioning on the soles of your feet. Next, you will want to select a couple of pairs of workout shoes. They should fit your feet both length wise and width wise.

Your workout undergarments should be made from material that will breathe and that will also wick about moisture from your skin. They should also provide you with the support that you need for your exercises of choice. Finally you will want to select tops and bottoms that fit your body shape, that are appropriate for the exercises that you do and that are made from a material that breathes well.

When building a wardrobe as a teenager there are several places that you can start. However, one of the best places to start is your shoe wardrobe. Shoes really complete your look, but they need to be as functional as they are fashionable. It is because of this that it is a good idea to buy specific shoes for specific activities.

Casual Shoes
The first shoes that you will want to add to your shoe wardrobe are casual use shoes. These shoes will generally be inexpensive and very basic in design and fashion. Canvas tie-up and slip on shoes work well as the staple of your casual shoe wardrobe. They are low cost so you don't have to worry if they get grass stains, muddy or damaged. You will use your casual shoes for activities like mowing the lawn and hanging around the house.

Athletic Shoes
The next type of shoes that you will want to invest in are athletic, or activity specific shoes. For example, if you skateboard you will want to purchase skateboarding shoes and if you dance then you will want to purchase dance shoes. You may also want to pick up shoes for hiking, walking on the beach and walking.

Dress Shoes/Fashion Shoes
The most fun category for shoe shopping is dress shoes and fashion shoes. These are the shoes in your wardrobe that make a statement. When selecting fashion shoes you will want to look for a style that compliments your personal style and the clothes that are in your wardrobe, and you will also want to look for special shoes that will update the overall look of your clothing wardrobe.

For example, teen girls can pick one pair of fashion shoes each season that are fashion forward for that season and that also compliments their existing seasonal wardrobe. This may mean buying a trendy pair of heels or a trendy pair of sandals. Teen boys can update the look of their wardrobe by finding a trendy pair of loafers or a trendy pair of sneakers. By adding the trendy shoes to your existing wardrobe you can update the look of your wardrobe without having to buy all new clothing.

Dropping hundreds or thousands of dollars on the season's hottest fashions is normal for many fashionistas, but in the current financial environment, it may not be the most fiscally responsible choice. However, there is a bright side to the bleak financial picture. Now is the perfect time to focus and streamline your wardrobe to create a unique look that is completely your own.

Let's be honest; how many of you have bought clothing in the past simply because it was the hottest trend, not because it was really your style or looked great on you? Probably all of us have done that at one time or another - but now, when we need to watch our pennies, we can't make such poor fashion decisions. Now is the time to carefully assess each item we buy and ask, "Do I need it? Will I wear it (more than once)? Do I LOVE it? Is it ME?"

As you ask yourself these questions, keep your current wardrobe in mind. What are your favorite colors, clothing styles and accessories in your closet? Do your wardrobe pieces add up to a coherent "look" or are they hopelessly eclectic? If you can figure out the way you want to look and the image you want to project, it will be much easier for you to figure out what your wardrobe basics should be and build from there.

Once you've discovered your own style, there will be no need for you to spend thousands on new trendy clothing for each season. As new styles come along, decide if they fit into your overall style and lifestyle, and if not, pass them by. For instance, an outdoorsy girl who prefers to dress casually probably doesn't NEED red patent leather boots, fabulous though they may seem. A better choice for her would be a pair of hiking boots in a fun, flirty color - that way she can show her trendy side in a way that complements her lifestyle and existing wardrobe. Ladies who prefer pants to skirts can simply ignore the upward or downward trend of skirt and dress hemlines and stick to trousers entirely.

The same principle applies to color. If this season's hottest color is yellow, but you hate yellow, look terrible in yellow or have nothing in your existing wardrobe that goes with yellow - skip it! If it's not YOU, there's no point in wasting money on it. If you're dying to try the trendy color, choose an inexpensive, utilitarian item like a handbag or belt - that way you haven't spent a ton of money, and you can always trade with a friend who really does love yellow!

In short, building a wardrobe of clothing that looks good on you, fits your lifestyle and reflects the image you want to project will always make you look a hundred times more fashionable than simply wearing the latest trends. Never buy anything you don't love - your look AND your wallet will thank you for it!