Power Dressing is all the rage.  From corporate boardrooms, to social functions, to everyday life, nothing can substitute for the confidence that you feel when you look great.  And looking great does not equate to throwing money out the window — thanks to these tips!

Know your colors. Sometimes, just knowing whether violet goes well with pink or blue with green makes a mountain of difference when power dressing.  You can definitely have fun mixing and matching colors, how about a black skirt with a fiery red blouse? EPIC WIN!  A mint green shirt and violet cut-offs? EPIC FAIL.  Well unless you have your hair dyed purple.

Limit your dresses and other one piece clothing. While dresses make you look and feel more feminine, it closes all the possibilities for mixing and matching.  Having more separates in your closet (tops like blouses, tee-shirts and bottoms like skirts, pants, capris) enables you to be more creative with your look.  Plus this gives you the added advantage of not having the same look twice: that white top might have looked good with skinny jeans this week, but it will look equally gorgeous with a knee length skirt for next week.

Jackets and blazers.  Blazers can make your whole get up more professional.  It does not matter if you have jeans and cowgirl boots on, a blazer can upgrade your wear from casual to corporate in a hurry.  Jackets and blazers are also great accents when mixing and matching as both are very flexible.

Know your fabrics. Stay away from clothes that you have to dry clean.  They may be attractive and eye-catching, but these are usually very expensive to keep.  Choose washable clothes made of cotton and other fabrics.

Accessorize properly. Jewelry and other accessories can add the desired effect to your get up anytime.  Running late for your son’s baseball game while still being stuck in the boardroom?  Drop the blazer, and put these on:

Red Millefiori 8mm Round Sterling Silver Stud Earrings

Triple Strand Leather Necklace with Yellow Amber Pendant

It won’t make your son blush, and you still look very feminine.

Woke up late and need to make an impression at the weekly status meeting?

Brown & Copper Cubic Zirconia Sterling Silver Bracelet

14k White Gold Round Citrine Diamond Pendant Necklace

Want to look more elegant at a party?

Sterling Silver Cubic Zirconia Pearl Journey Necklace

Rhodium Plated CZ and Cultured Pearl Drop Post Earrings

Chic Sterling Silver CZ Ring with Synthetic Pearl

As you can see, looking good does not need to be expensive.  All you have to do is to mix and match by trial and error.  Don’t be afraid to experiment!