Argh, is that my bank balance or the temperature?

It's that time of year again when it actually almost hurts to check your finances, made worse by the knowledge that things aren't going to get any cheaper for quite a while.  I can't and won't pretend that I am good with money - I tend to see payments in terms of handbags and clothes, ooh if I do that job I can afford a new....(insert appropriate thing I don't need, but have fallen in love with anyway.)  So at this time of year I try not to look too closely and pray to all that may be up there that nothing breaks.  I imagine that if you had to add to this season a myriad of new outfits for those parties you have to go to, things would be a lot worse.  However I know that many people do add this extra financial stress, not because they see something they love but because they don't know how to update what they have.  In no way am I suggesting you get out the glue gun and destroy a lamp shade in order to fashion some quasi fashionable, wannabe monstrosity but by putting the items you already have together in an unexpected way you will end up with a wearable, effectively new outfit, that won't cause you to spend the entirety of January eating baked beans and left overs.


I am almost willing to guarantee that you have at least one back of the wardrobe dress.  A dress that has been dragged out to take centre stage more times than Bette Midler, that never lets you down.  This year instead of wearing it in the same way, why not try something different to freshen it up?  Before you go into a shopping frenzy look at what you have and see if you can recycle or reinvigorate the items you already own, instead of a whole new outfit you might be able to get away with just buying some new accessories and give old Bette a decent facelift.  For those of you who prefer a suit, due to gender or comfort, why not wear it with a funky Tshirt instead of the same old shirt.  It'll look fresh, cool and you'll be more comfortable.  Try putting colour into the outfit through your accessories as that can grab just as much attention and as many compliments as anything else.  Also you may not have considered but it is worth mentioning how much of a difference hosiery can make, so next time try a pattern or colour to completely change the aesthetic.  Tights can add a huge amount to an outfit with very little financial strain. I love the colours  available from companies like Falke and the quality is really high-end too.


This time of year is the perfect time to try doing things a different way, as the majority of people are too full of the joys of the season and are too busy to be anything but complimentary.  One of the greatest truths is that only bored people are bitchy, everybody else has better things to do.