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I'm Deborah, survivor of everything from multiple cancer battles to major business setbacks. Join my search for ways to move the mountains, big & small, that block your path to success.
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Dress for success on a budget

Woman Shopping

Great fantasy novels and films tap into something called “suspension of disbelief.” It means audiences put logic on hold and allow themselves to believe for a while that Klingons exist and animals can speak with human voices.

Sometimes we also use the device to convince ourselves of things we want to believe in the nonfiction world—for instance, that you can’t judge a book by its cover. The adage may be true in principle, but it doesn’t mean employers won’t make superficial judgments when evaluating prospective hires. And when you’re out of work or transitioning from school into a career, you probably don’t have the financial resources to spend a lot on your power wardrobe.

Impressing hirers doesn’t require you to walk into an interview looking as though you just stepped from the pages of Vogue or GQ. Competent recruiters will be more concerned with your qualifications than your attire. But since you don’t want a negative appearance to distract interviewers from your positive qualities, try these suggestions for improving your look without breaking the bank:

• Follow the trends.  Take that literally. Instead of obsessing about being “fashion forward,” do your shopping at the end of the season when prices have been slashed. Then save the looks to wear the following year. Trust me … much as the fashion industry would love to have people buy whole new wardrobes every winter, spring, summer, and fall, clothes just don’t go out of style that quickly.

• Forget the mall.  If you’re on a budget, stick to off-price stores, consignment shops, and even thrift stores where you can often find designer apparel in excellent condition for a fraction of what you’d pay at the mall. If you’re determined to buy from those mall anchor stores, check them out online. All the major retailers have an online presence and often offer online specials or coupons not available to in-store customers. With many, you can opt to have your merchandise delivered to the store for pickup at no cost.

• Focus on foundation.  As with anything else you buy, always think about return on investment. Spend more on staples that will serve as the foundation for your wardrobe and need to last a long time—such as business suits, coats, jackets, skirts, shoes. You haven’t found a bargain on these items if you quickly have to replace them. Spend less on complementary items such as dress shirts and blouses, and accessories.

• Fade to black.  Patterns and colors go out of style more quickly than neutrals. If you purchase staples such as pants, skirts, and jackets in dark, neutral colors of black, charcoal, and navy, they won’t show wear or stains as quickly. You’ll be able to wear them more often between cleanings and make them last longer overall. And they’ll stay in style longer. Simply change the patterns and colors of the accompanying garments and accessories and you’ll continue to look fashionable without having to spend like a fashionista.

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