by Nikki Willhite
Most people think of "signature apparel" as clothing made by a
particular designer. When I talk about signature apparel, I am
talking about items that you "make your own," and that people start associating
with you.
Whether you realize it or not, you already have some signature
pieces. These are items the you wear with regularity.
If you are married, you probably wear a wedding ring. You may wear a favorite
watch every day. People
expect that when they see you, they will see these things on your body.
In the winter, in cold climates, most people only have
one warm coat. People often recognize them from afar by the coat
they are wearing.
Obviously when you have an item that you wear all the time, it is
well-used, and you get your money out of it. However, no one
wants to wear the same clothing or jewelry all the time. We can,
however, make good use of a few good "signature items" to save
money.
Some people wear the same pair of earrings all the time. One of
my family members has a pair of small diamond earrings that
she wears every day. Most people who wear glasses keep the same frames
for one or two years.
Even people who are well-known and on camera have signature pieces.
Suze Orman always wears the same necklace.
Your signature clothing may be similar items that you wear each day,
like jeans and a hoodie. When I go to church, it is usually in a black
pencil skirt with black tights to keep my legs warm.
You wear signature pieces either because you love them, they fit your lifestyle,
or they are very comfortable.
The more signature pieces you have, the more money you save. If you have 10
watches, it is going to require replacing a lot of batteries. If you have
an abundance of clothing, it is going to cost more to keep it clean and in good
condition.
You will save time, and you will save money by defining your style. When you
find something you like, stick with it, and make it part of YOUR STYLE.
Why wear items you don't like as much, when you can wear something that looks and feels
good on you every day? Variety is good...up to a point. You don't change your hairstyle
every day. That is part of your style.
Find your style, choose some signature items, wear them proudly, and save money.
About the Author: Nikki Willhite,
mother of 3 and an interior design graduate, has been writing and publishing
articles on the topic of
frugal living for over a
decade. Visit her at
www.frugalhappyfamilies.com
- where you will find hundreds of frugal living tips and articles. Frugal
Happy Families- more than just money!