Money is tight and we all need to dig deep in our closets and “make it work”.  However, this task is only possible with those key elements that make the same old thing current.  This fall that item is a short black jacket. When paired with a lady like sheath or pencil skirt, you have fall’s chicest look. Complete the outfit with great pumps and a structured bag.

Most women have a love, hate relationship with hats. They are clearly the solution for a bad hair day and just plain cool – but only on other women!!! In the video, top hat designer Eugenia Kim demonstrates how to wear casual hats. Savvy Tip: Out of town trips are great opportunities to experiment with hats – if you look ridiculous nobody knows you and it gives your locks a rest.

It’s ironic, we love our bags and will spend good money for them, but most of us give little thought to their care. Whether you change purses often or tote “old faithful” daily, carrying a dirty handbag is never savvy! Keep it clean using the methods below.

• Read any care instructions that came with the purse.
• Empty purse and open it as widely as possible and shake out debris.
• If the lining appears sturdy enough, gently vacuum out the interior to remove every bit of dust and dirt. Don’t forget those dirty zip-up pockets.
• Dry clean a fabric purse, or spot clean it with warm water and a gentle detergent such as Woolite using a clean, white cloth. Blot – don’t rub – as you go.
• Use leather cleaner on a leather purse. Use suede cleaner on a suede purse.
• Wipe a vinyl, plastic or wooden purse with a clean, damp cloth.
• Take velvet or silk purses to the dry cleaners.

Domestic Divas was created by Nikki Pendleton, a former advertising professional and busy mom of two. Ms. Pendleton’s experience as the typical American mom balancing career, family and home inspired her to create a cleaning service that takes its cues from luxury hotels. Domestic Divas create sparkling retreats for their clients with the special touches busy women deserve. Ms. Pendleton is also creating a line of eco-friendly cleaning products designed to protect your family, furnishings and pets from harmful chemicals.

It is 100 degrees outside, so why the heck is the Savvy Broad talking about fall fashions? The answer is simple, money. Inevitably the summer sale racks will have a few unexplained winter items that must have gotten lost in the warehouse and are finally on the rack. In addition, the preseason fall sales are in full force.

The following items are investment worthy because you can wear them for a lifetime.

• Chunky sweaters
• Leopard accessories
• Leather jackets and skirts

Get some of that tuition money back! Stores like J. Crew are giving discounts on the entire purchase with a student i.d. On a recent shopping trip for one of my sons, I picked up a few great items for myself. These unadvertised discounts are year round and not related to any promotion. Remember, you’ve got to ask about the discount and must show the student i.d.

Life is challenging and after a day of “battle” we all want to get comfortable. Unless you are Gabrielle or Bree from Desperate Housewives your “at home” look looks, well, homeless. After catching my reflection – something I try to avoid when I’m in my “at home” mode – I wondered if I could good achieve the same level of comfort without looking like a hot mess. I figured my self esteem and marriage deserved better!

I cleared out my drawers and made two piles, casual and comfy clothes that I would not be embarrassed to be seen in and faded, ragged and downright unflattering items. I did not realize the amount of cute yoga inspired wear and comfy, plain black dresses I had buried under unflattering t-shirts, shorts and shapeless, faded house dresses. Let’s face it, going braless is sublime, but exercise bras are a comfortable option when you have to be around people and you haven’t gotten that boob job yet.

If you really don’t have any comfy yoga wear or comfy black dresses in your closet, Marshall’s, TJ Maxx and Ross For Less has these items for practically nothing. As you probably guess, black yoga bottoms and loose, solid tops are best. Pair these items with stud earrings and comfy flip flops and you will look and feel both cool and chic.

Surprise benefit? After I threw out my ugly wear, my garment drawers have a lot more space. Ok, I admit, I saved two t-shirts and a pair throw away pants for gardening and painting. But, for those exercises only!

With a constant barrage of fashion trends and images, it is easy to buy items you don’t need or to give up and wear the same thing over and over. Well, let’s push our reset button and focus on the basics. Click on this link to Net-A-Porter’s style classics webpage. The featured items are quite expensive, but the concepts are not.  It’s about great classic items paired with stylish and chic accessories.

Sales are everywhere and in bad economic times one has to be more strategic than ever. Below are items that will take you into the fall season. Due to the economy, stores have less inventory. BUT the good news is that they tend to have more of a mix of seasons in their sale inventory. Also, global warming has forced manufacturers to use more temperature neutral clothing, like light weight leathers and sweaters. These items are on sale now and can be worn year round, the key is to pick great colors that transcend the seasons. Finally, a Savvy Broad always has a little flair, so high quality python, leopard and leather items with sophisticated styling are always on the shopping list.

• Tailored camel colored jacket (Camel is BIG for the fall!)
• Neutral Pumps (Hey, they elongate the leg and therefore always in style.)
• Unstructured long cardigans
• Basic cardigans
• Leopard shoes and bags
• Statement jewelry with gold metal base (Big necklaces, bracelets and rings are going to stick around for the fall, so make sure to choose fall friendly colors like black, amber or pearl.)
• Black structured dresses – ALWAYS!!!!
• Plaid shirts – Plaid will be big, but unless you are 20 it should be worn sparingly.)
• Boots – Flat or heeled knee boots and booties are big for another fall and amongst the sale inventory.
• Embellished flats
• Cocktail dresses – Get it now, while it’s on sale. You know your going to need it!

This video is not demonstrative; but the tips are spot on. Is her voice incredibly soothing or what?

In a recent SavvyBroad.com poll, we asked readers which items they find the most challenging to wear. A great deal of you expressed frustration with wearing flats. Here are a few tips.

• Choose current styles in great colors or prints. Avoid black or brown unless they have a trendy twist.
• Wear the right skirt length. Flats look best when worn with a shorter skirt, about an inch above the knee. Avoid long skirts, they tend to make you look frumpy. Make sure to choose your pants wisely. Try straight-legged or tiny flared cropped pants – the Jackie O look. Also try a hem a few inches above the ankle or right at the top of your foot, depending on your height.
• Consider low platformed flats or a small, one-inch heel if you are short or pear shaped.

Little Black Dress Project from Jeff Shell on Vimeo.

I know, I know, this video is quite long and there are no “tips” in this posting. However the Savvy Broad loves fashion, young talented designers and Houston – this video celebrates all three. Houston based international modeling agency, Neil Hamil Agency, held its second black dress design competition. As you can see, the level of talent is quite extraordinary.

Savvy Suggestion: Immediately contact one of these young talented design stars and get a fabulous couture black dress – while their designs are still somewhat affordable.

Nothing is fresher and, sometimes as slimming, as a white outfit. The key is – as always – proportion. For instance, white ruffle blouses are pretty but add volume. If you are thick on the top, they are not your friend. Think, Aretha Franklin. So go for the more modern approach with simple lines and use layers to direct the eyes to the more flattering regions of your body. One more thing, wear nude shoes to elongate your legs.

The Savvy Broad has been attending quite a few social events lately.  Since I’m obsessed with fashion, I love these events because they give us the opportunity to tap into our inner diva.  The key is to create a look, not a costume.  For example, if you are wearing a dress that has wonderful ruffles or sequins, keep the accessories simple and classic.  In other words, do not feel compelled to add “themed” accessories.  When wearing ruffles, a great pair of chandelier earrings will bring the appropriate amount of drama and will balance the ruffles.  When wearing sequins, diamond studs are usually enough.  Warning: A sequins dress requires great shapewear and self awareness – SO IF THE DRESS DON’T FIT, YOU MUST OMIT!!!

If you choose to go the black route, have fun with your accessories and avoid the temptation by wearing the predictable rhinestone accessories and a wrap.  Try a dramatic Chanel look with many strands of pearls or the Halston look with bold gold earrings and a gold cuff or go Bollywood with gold chandelier earrings and a armful of bangles.  Of course, a black dress calls for a great pair of shoes.

Remember, it is hard to be your savvy best if you are uncomfortable. So, if the dress requires layers of shapewear and you feel like a sausage – we have all been there – go another route.

How to look and feel fresh when it is 100 degrees outside is a dilemma we are all grappling with. For work, simple sheath dresses are great – but what if your arms do not look like Michelle Obama’s or you have hips? For play, sundresses are obviously cool – but if you are no longer perky, the look is a little sad. Good news, clothing manufacturers have anticipated our hot dressing dilemmas and, if you are willing to spend a few hours looking, there are options.

Calvin Klein offers loads of sheath options out of a comfortable, camouflaging Lycra. Better yet, the racks of Marshalls and TJ Maxx are full of these dresses in all sizes. Also, check Walmart.com for Norma Kamali for her flattering $20 dresses. Sundresses are cheap and plentiful at Ross. Many of the dresses have a built in bra and the plus size selection is quite large. Problematic arms? When wearing a sheath dress to work, throw on a short, light cardigan in a great color and a 3/4 sleeve.

Statement earrings are back in a big way. This is good news because they add light and interest to your face. Even better, an interesting pair of earrings, like the set shown below, paired with a tailored suit says “business with style”. So try a great pair of earrings with a blue pin striped suit and a crisp white button down shirt or your favorite tailored dress.

At Savvybroad.com we love navy and white nautical striped tops for the summer. The look is crisp, easy to wear and these tops are found every – including your closet. The key is to keep the look simple to avoid looking like Uncle Sam, so navy and white without the red is preferable and the most flattering. Try pairing the top with white, khaki or denim and accessorizing with a chunky gold necklace or cuff with a great pair of gold hoops. One more thing, avoid nautical embellishments on your striped top or anchor earrings – think outfit, not costume!

Between global warming, an internal thermostat and hormones, many women are too hot to get a good night’s sleep. The solution? Haralee.com “wicking” sleepwear and bedding. Wicking sleepwear draws the perspiration away from your skin and quickly evaporates. It’s hard to be savvy when you are sleep deprived, so check out the video below.

We love animal prints, but they must be approached carefully like the animals they represent. A little goes a long way and too much can make you look like Mrs. Roper from “Three’s Company”. The outfit in the video below might not be for all, but it demonstrates how pairing a neutral and the right jewelry can tame a wild print.

As a women of a certain age, I am knee deep in high school and college graduation ceremonies. Of course, our kids’ commencements are wonderful milestones, but it is also a reminder that we are not getting any younger. So what’s a savvy broad to do? Celebrate your kid, but make sure you also celebrate yourself.

The skill of looking great – yeah, it is a skill – is like any other, if you don’t use it, you will lose it. So use life’s milestones as a time to assess your look and update. Men do it, albeit clumsily, we call it a midlife crisis. Then there is the even more disturbing female version, the “cougar”. The savvy goal is to look fresh, if you achieve freshness you will look younger.

So when you or your family reaches a milestone, go for a makeup consultation, explore a new hairstyle and try a new fashion look that you admire. Time is precious, so don’t wait until you become an empty nester to get your groove back – it might be too late.

I’m always looking for the perfect fitting jean, i.e. the jean that makes my bottom look smaller. But let’s switch our focus to price and how to keep them looking great. The story below compares fit and durability of expensive and affordable jeans. In addition, provides tips on prolonging your jeans’ life.

by The Savvy Broad

I volunteer as a personal shopper for Dress For Success. As a personal shopper, I help women who are trying get that lives back on track put together interview outfits. The experience is rewarding and the ladies are inspiring. However, I must admit, the experience is also a window into the psyche of the average woman. Invariably these ladies walk in worried about their figure flaws, not expecting much. Sounds familiar? Fortunately, the Dress for Success personal shopper is able to highlight their client’s true assets and, if just for a moment, the client sees herself as a beautiful, strong and empowered woman.

Invariably, as women, our self image tends to be very different from what others see. We are acutely aware of our perceived flaws and tend to be blind to our assets. And when we do recognize a positive, we get a little carried away – perhaps to balance out all those darn negatives.

So, if you suffer from this common affliction, try this fun exercise. Go shopping with a friend who has decent taste, an open mind and an average body. The twist is that you guys will pick out outfits for each other. You might not be caught dead in the outfit and don’t have to buy it, but the exercise will demonstrate how distorted your self image might be and get you to try on new looks and proportions. Just be open minded and maybe margaritas before you get started would be a good idea.

In short, try seeing yourself through the eyes of another real woman and you might like what you see.

As the mercury rises, staying cool and looking polished gets increasing more difficult. The savvy solution is to pair classic, bold accessories with cool and easy basics. Our favorites are the always fashionable chunky turquoise necklace and a gold cuff and hoops. You can wear this combo with a white sundress, black sheath or with khaki. Throw on a pair of wedges and a great tote and you will look and feel cool.

When the movie “Valentino: The Last Emperor” first came out, I did not expect anything particularly substantive and figured I would rent the DVD, eventually. Boy was I wrong!!! This movie is fascinating. It really celebrates all women through Valentino’s uncanny sense of beauty. Let’s face it, most of use can not afford or fit into his clothing, however the movie motivates the viewer to find items that celebrate their true beauty – trust me, we all have it! Finally, Valentino’s temperament is a display of obsessive genius and the clothing and locales are gorgeous. This is a great movie for a lazy Saturday afternoon.