I have talked before about the Budget Fashionista, Kathryn Finney. Her website and book are full of great advice for buying clothes and accessories but the one tip that has stuck with me the most is this:

“Buy what you love and love what you buy.”

She means that if you are not in love with an item, if it doesn’t make you feel smarter or prettier or make you look your best, don’t buy it. Don’t get something just because it’s cheap or just because it fits. Buy it because you feel great in it and would be really excited to wear it.

Conversely, if you find something that really puts a twinkle in your eye, buy it! It’s not everyday that you come across a purse or a coat or a pair of shoes that make you feel fabulous, so if you can afford it, don’t let it pass you by.

I realize sometimes clothes shopping is not so cut and dry. You may need clothes for work that are not fabulous, but unless you’re a postal worker, you usually have some control over what you wear. So pick things that make you look good and feel good and your days will be a bit brighter.