The Philippine Online Chronicles

With New Year just a week ahead, many of us will be updating our wardrobes and adding new items in our beauty kits. Shopping for new stuff is fun, but how do we avoid the common pitfall of wasting money on something we're not going to wear a lot, if at all?

In assessing your wardrobe, you should first organize everything so you can see each item easily. This way, you don’t feel like you have “nothing to wear” and end up buying a trendy piece similar to something you already own. Careful planning can help you decide which clothes and beauty products you should let go and acquire, so consider your needs and lifestyle the next time you shop.

Don’t forget to ask yourself, “How many times will I actually wear this?” If your purchase’s cost-per-wear is low (i.e., you buy a high-priced item and wear it very often), then you’re good to go. But if your big-ticket purchases from last year still have their tags intact, then it’s time to streamline your shopping habits.

Splurge: Jewelry

Genuine jewelry can carry your look effortlessly in the same way a luxury bag does. Choose metal that flatters your skin tone, like gold, silver or platinum, and invest in understated designs. Quirky forms like those from Jul B. Dizon Jewelry are great choices, too; they make for unique heirloom pieces. And in practical situations, jewelry is easy to transport (and liquidate!) in the event of an emergency.

Save: Accessories

Hats, scarves, belts, and costume jewelry don’t have to be expensive—they just have to look like it. For costume jewelry, avoid overly shiny rhinestones and plated chains because they give off a gaudy vibe that translates to being cheap. You can find plenty of alternatives in Villalobos Street in Quiapo or in Tabora Street in Binondo. As for the others mentioned, consider fit, color and material—if it’s ill-fitting, too cheeky or too flimsy, skip it.

Splurge: Coat/Jacket

Don’t sacrifice warmth and style by getting a poorly made jacket or coat. A basic, neutral-colored one can sharpen your casual Friday outfit or help keep you toasty and fashionable in the cooler months.

Save: Jeans

Although fashion gurus say that you need to splurge on basic items like jeans, you can still find your perfect fit in affordable stores. Sure, you can wear your dark-wash bootleg pair many times over, but it’s better to keep your money in your pocket if all you’re paying for are the whiskers and “deconstruction” on the denim.

Splurge: Foundation and concealer

No matter how made-up you are, if your foundation doesn’t match your skin or if it cakes easily, people will notice that hot mess. Use the right shade of concealer and foundation that go on evenly and give you enough glow without changing your natural skin tone. Many mid-range to high-end products give good coverage and last longer than local drugstore brands, so do try them out.

Save: Lippies and eyeliners

Except perhaps for reds, corals, and nudes, lipsticks shouldn’t cost you a day’s lunch. Those icy pinks and ghastly purples flatter few faces and won’t look good all year; only try out the cheapest available, if you really want to join the trend. For rimming your eyes, find pencils or gel-based liners that stay on long; some department stores or beauty outlets offer these for less than Php 300.

Splurge: Undergarments

Just because they are hidden from view doesn’t mean you have to neglect them. Well-fitting underwear can significantly improve your appearance by allowing your clothes to fall properly. Save yourself from the embarrassment of having bacon-ed bra bands or VPL by getting the right size and type for your clothes—from reputable brands that know what they’re doing.

Save: T-shirts, oxford shirts, and tank tops

A shirt is a shirt is a shirt—when you’ve seen one, you’ve seen all. Who could tell that your basic V-neck tee is from Calvin Klein or from Divisoria, anyway? Market! Market!’s Fashion Mall has numerous tiangges that sell combed cotton T-shirts, oxford shirts, and tank tops for less than a hundred pesos each. At that price, it’s OK to get one in every color!

Splurge: A sturdy, roomy bag

It doesn’t have to be luxurious or made out of the skin of an animal. Simply choose one or two that goes with anything in your wardrobe (especially those for professional purposes), has a lot of pockets for storage, and has a sturdy body and handles. If it is necessary to buy a brand for your line of work, avoid the heavy monograms and opt for something more sophisticated. And, oh, two luxury bags in a year should be enough.

Save: Trendy shoes

Go ahead and invest in black pumps and boots (maybe even the occasional avant garde pair), but restrain yourself when it comes to jelly shoes and decorative flip-flops. These trendy and incredibly pricey items aren’t exactly fashionable and aren’t appropriate for a number of occasions, therefore, limiting their cost-per-wear.

Boards were created by the author using Polyvore. "Piggy Bank" image was taken from Images of Money c/o Flickr.