Dress Like a Princess on a Working Girl's Budget

Can you dress like a princess on a working girl's budget?

Women the whole world over, rejoice. You may not have been born with a trust fund but you can put on airs nonetheless. If there's one thing today's glut of malls, boutiques, and online stores have made sure of, it's that you don't have to pay designer price for designer outfits --- unless you really have the means to. Though you may not be to the manor born and bred, you can act, dress, and socialize like the lady of the manner. Here are seven easy ways to dress like a princess on a working girl's budget.

1. Go for quality.

Who says you need a roomful of clothes to look like one of the designer-wearing elite? All you need are five to six superior-quality pieces that are interchangeable and go well with just about anything. You could get a good made to measure suit, a pair of perfectly tailored trousers, a good cashmere sweater, a fitted cap-sleeved top, a pair of jeans that fit in all the right places, and a structured jacket with double-button closure. You can then mix and match these foundation pieces with any of the cheaper items in your closet.

2. Find clothes that fit.

What's the one thing in clothes that's as important as quality? The fit. People in the know know good clothing - be it a dress or a made to measure suit - is one that fits the body's contours just right and just so. Pieces should drape ever so gracefully and project an elegant silhouette. If a skirt has pleats, these should be crisp, smooth, and even. If a top comes with a collar, this has to be pristine. Seams, whether in made to measure suits, jeans, or tops, should lie evenly and smoothly.

3. Shop in second-hand and vintage stores.

Old is the new new. Look for gently worn but once-upon-a-time costly pieces such as a Diane von Furtstenberg wrap dress or a '70s Calvin Klein. After a good wash and with a few alterations, who could even tell you got these clothes vintage or second-hand?

4. Make the most of seasonal sales.

Weather is not the only thing that changes with the season; so do styles. When seasons change, high-end, high-quality creations - even made to measure suits that had been all the rage last season, sell only at a fraction of their former cost. Make the most of this seasonal fluctuation in prices by putting your name on the mailing list of warehouses and boutiques.

5. Try your luck on eBay.

Yes, try your luck on eBay. Look for goodies - worn once designer fashions, online shops that are just starting out and thus offer cheap made to measure suits - and bid for 'em. eBay teems with folks who splurge, change their minds, and end up hocking off the day's expensive buy for a quarter of its original price.

6. Find bags and shoes that talk.

But no, I don't mean that literally. Pay attention to your shoe and handbag choices. They talk just as loudly as that made to measure suit you're wearing, speaking volumes about how and where you shop. This means no dirty, scruffy shoes, no ripped seams, and no busted zippers. You might want to think twice before taking that knock-off Louis Vuitton to the office. Unless it's Class A imitation and is really, really a dead-ringer for the real thing, you could never pass it off as the real McCoy.

7. Look for luxe.

When you go shop, remember that you're after key pieces you can build your entire wardrobe on or rotate around. So, surround yourself with nothing but the finest fabric. High-quality fabric has an amazing feel and look. Aside from this, it retains perfect symmetry and shape no matter what the circumstance. Your made to measure suit could be three years old, but if it's made of luxury fabric, it won't cling to your body or bunch up in odd ways. Luxury fabrics include fine cottons, silk, merino wools, and cashmere.

You don't need to be rich to dress rich. The truly suave dresser with an impeccable eye for style and the moxie to carry anything off can wear something – a made to measure suit, a dress, or anything else - that is so six seasons ago and make it look like the hottest thing to come down the runway.