Fashion Summer: sunny living room, stylish with little money

  Vancouver-based Jeniene Mercer, 50, received a floral scarf as a gift from her husband, Frank, in 1993. This year, shows it look updated as part of their summer.

"It reminds me of the print Dolce & Gabbana online summer," said Alexandra FASILIS, personal stylist and owner of Mercer Alexandra Sophia Design in Vancouver.

The vintage-style print with coral roses with purple stems and green leaves steamed offset represents one of the hottest trends of the summer and will cost nothing Mercer. And that's the point, said FASILIS. With a few smart strategies, you should update the look of the summer does not cost much. This can include everything from working with what is already in her closet of old clothes swapping for something "new" car in a store. You can use the personal stylist of these five steps to the scorching summer fashion on a budget skip:

• Sift through the closet for items that meet the trends of today.

Experts recommend that the Cabinet and to identify what is already for the summer, before traveling on business or online shopping. Flip through a fashion magazine or do an internet search under "fashion summer" to view photos of what's hot to see this summer.

Bright colors like coral and turquoise, and models, including peas, animal prints, floral, geometric and tribal - a vibrant color palette for this summer.

Pencil skirts, long skirts and other semi-Pants and shorts are cuffed summer staples this year.

Next, examine the existing features for clothing, to illustrate the current trends. When in doubt, consult the experts. Even

Attle YouLookFab.com leave bloggers and fashion consultant Angie Cox provides a global online community where people can post pictures of themselves and their clothes and seek input from Cox or about 250,000 visitors per month online community. There are no membership fees.

• Try new combinations.

In the spirit of frugality after the recession is going almost every game. Contrast colors and the mixing model, ex-no-no, are now in vogue, said Cox. This offers new opportunities for adaptation and separates the creation of a new perspective on what is already in the closet.

"The economic downturn can be helped to make the pattern-mixing trend," said Cox. "How many additional outfits, you can create when you are ready to mix your samples separates into a single device thinking. Mixture model (decrease) in cost per wear of the element."

An example of the trend is recently on the walls of Plato's Closet Boutique Vancouver displayed item. A mannequin was dressed in a mini-southwest print with a geometric print tank. A rule of thumb is to put the pieces together, fasten with a dominant color. In this case, it was bright pink. On his pink wardrobe staff Plato added a bright fringe purse with a long pink strap and a belt-Southwest flair.

"You can with what you have to work," said Mary Foster, deputy director at Plato's Closet "You could even take in a position, your favorite shirt with your favorite logo skirt." - Even if they are in different colors or patterns are different.

• Reuse.

Maxi skirts, long skirts that go down to the ankle, had a rare appearance this year. You are now leaving, replaced known in the mid-length skirts for lunch. Slightly shorter mean a new rock is not necessary. Some basic sewing skills can easily lead to a maxi skirt a clock noon. Hem the skirt just below the kneecap. Another simple sewing project, cuffed pants or shorts is adding existing FASILIS said.

• Identify gaps in closet.

After a complete wardrobe inventory and is exploring new combinations, it's time to decide to combine some existing clothes to buy.

Make a list of needs and desires.

If you have money for an article that suggested an accessory Cox.

"An accessory is a great way to change your look without spending to much money," said Cox.

Mercer is a scarf as an example. FASILIS paired with a scarf Mercer blue blouse and black pencil skirt.

A scarf can make an impression in the fashion or color, change the appearance of several outfits and supplies heat to cool mornings and evenings, said FASILIS.

The climate of the Pacific Northwest is a factor to consider when identifying a list of items to buy. Skimpy summer clothes to be strapless or not separates the best investment, said Cox.

Instead, choose clothing that can copy.

Some examples are a light coat color, which can be worn under a sweater or a pair of pants in the fall, which can be worn all year, Cox said.

• Store.

When it's time to buy, starting with the cheapest options. One of those can be swapped clothes with a friend, or send existing clothing and using credit to buy the "new" items in a consignment store like Plato's Closet.

Theresa Curran, 48, a saleswoman coffee service from Boring, Oregon, she said all the elements of her wardrobe this season and shares that are outdated, not working for them or that they missed sighted. One way to update, it is their look without spending much money to sell unwanted clothes at Plato's closet and use the money to buy items to update their wardrobe. (The Vancouver store is on its sales territory). She said she will often cost clothing for under $ 10, that it more than a department store.

"Once I have a couple of Nike running shoes for $ 12 found," she said.

Fashion experts recommend starting with classical elements, which extend over several seasons or be modified slightly trying. When a trend is tempting to choose a piece on the nature of a low-cost business such as Forever 21, said FASILIS. Buy the look for less, because they can not last the entire season, she said.