Cheap chic: Tips to look good on a budget

Spring is here, and with the warm weather comes new styles that are vibrant, feminine and a little more fun than previous seasons.

Got the urge to buy? We sure do.

But these are tough economic times, and before you head out, consider three well-tested steps to help freshen your wardrobe without emptying your wallet. The first is to purge, second to assess and third to shop.

Let's walk through the details.

Step 1 — Purge

You can't update your wardrobe without first cleaning your closet, said Teresa Hunsaker, a consumer science educator with Utah State University Extension Services. A regular sifting makes room for more clothes and can help you decide what new items to shop for, she said.

For example, do you need new shoes, shirts, a jacket or pants? How will a new item mesh with what you already have?

"Do your homework first by really going through your closet," Hunsaker said. "How better to slash your clothing dollar than to say, 'What do I need it for?"'

A closet purge can also save cash by educating a person about why some clothing sits on the shelf without being worn, said Alicia Richmond, owner of Chic on a Shoestring and a weekly contributor to "Good Things Utah" on ABC Ch. 4.

Many times the biggest culprit behind never-worn items is fit, according to Richmond. You buy a shirt because it's cute and cheap, but you don't wear the item because it doesn't quite fit your body.

"Even if you find something hanging on the rack that's on clearance for $4.98, if it doesn't fit you, you've thrown away $4.98," Richmond said.

Here are some quick tips Richmond offers to determine good fit:

First, clothing shouldn't be too tight or too loose. If you can "pinch an inch" of fabric around the seat of your pants, near your hips or under your armpits, your clothing is likely too big, Richmond said.

If you can't pinch an inch, your clothing may be too small.

Other tips include choosing clothes that define the waistline, no matter if that's a problem area. Also look for clothing that balances your hips and shoulders and makes them look as if they are the same width, Richmond said.

Step 2 — Assess