Press Release

February 2009

For immediate release

Louise Gillespie-Smith, image consultant from Create Yourself, has compiled 7 top tips to still look fabulous in the credit crunch!

1) Wardrobe Weed

To start off carry out a wardrobe weed, this means taking everything (yes everything) out of your wardrobe and systematically working through it all. Set aside at least 4 hours for this if you have a full wardrobe. Divide piles into;

* Charity/ give to friends/sell on ebay
* Alterations
* Rubbish for those items that have really seen their day

Anything you still love and wear put back in an order that works for you. Louise like’s to group skirts, trousers, jackets, tops etc together then in that colour order them.

While you are going through have fun trying old clothes on with newer ones and experimenting with different combinations. Fashion might have changed since you brought some of them but with combining old with new you might discover some new outfits. You also might discover a few items you forgot you had.

Make a list of any key items you really do need.

2) Clothing Swap Party

A great way to get some new clothes and have fun at the same time is to arrange a clothing swap party. Get all your friends to bring clothes they don’t wear and then get swapping. This is also a good way of raising money for charity if every time you swap a piece to donate a few pounds.

Go with your list of key items that you need and see if you can pick them up there!

3) Alterations

Just by shortening a hem line, cinching in a jacket or making a skirt out of a dress you can create a whole new piece. When you are going through your wardrobe consider what you could change about items to make them more wearable for you now. Often we have things we don’t wear just because they need altering, then they just hang around for ages and never get worn.

4) Sample Sales

Sample sales are fantastic for picking up great unique designer bargains. When you go the clothes are usually in totally the wrong season but think ahead, it’s best to buy cheaply now than fork out the full retail price when you really need it. The Billion Dollar Babes sales are ones to watch out for as is London Fashion Weekend which happens every February and September.

5) Sale shopping

Of course sale shopping has to be mentioned here. Louise suggests waiting until the further reductions start happening before grabbing any bargains. Remember to be armed with your key items to buy list so you don’t just buy anything “just because it’s a bargain”. Some websites often have sales most of the year round like My Wardrobe and Net-A-Porter so keep any eye on sites before buying anything full price. Also some stores have a sale rail most of the year round such as Reiss in Market Place, London and Urban Outfitters.

Jackets, shoes and suits are always great buys in the sales as for business purposes, it’s good to buy the best quality you can afford to give off the right impression.

6) Clothing Markets

Many new designers have stalls at markets, such as Portobello and Spitalsfields in London. So it is worth paying them a visit to get some great unique pieces that would ordinarily cost a fortune if they were being sold in a shop. Also check out vintage and second hand stores, you just never know what you might find!

7) Accessories

Accessories totally update a wardrobe, just buy adding a belt or changing your jewellery you can create a whole new look which does not have to cost a fortune. Top Shop, Miss Selfridge, Primark, Dorothy Perkins, H&M and Accessorize all have great up to date affordable accessories. Look through style mags to get some inspiration and have a play around.

Louise is currently running a Maximise Your Pennies Shopping Offer:

Maximise Your Pennies shopping offer!!

With the current economic climate we are having to be more careful with how we spend our money and what we spend it on. We can no longer afford to make "mistake purchases", we have to think twice before impulse buys and we need items that will have longevity.

Image Consultant Louise Gillespie-Smith, at Create Yourself, has put together a special Maximise Your Pennies offer to ensure you buy things that last, that you really need and that you will look fabulous in. This includes an hour consultation at home during which you will work out a shopping list of must have items and you will have a mini style and colour consultation. Then you will meet Louise for a 2 hour shopping trip after she has researched the shops for what you need and worked out the best place to get them to fit in with your budget. The price for this is only £200.

This offer is valid until 31st March 09, perfect timing to get your Spring Wardrobe ready!

Editor’s Notes:

1. Contact details: Louise Gillespie-Smith, 0845 257 9977, louise@createyourself.co.uk

2. More info: http://createyourself.co.uk/