Fall fashion typically focuses on items many people find financially intimidating. Wool suits, snazzy sweaters and lined skirts certainly cost more than some of the simple cotton pants and tops popular during the summer months. That being said, money can be saved by incorporating savvy shopping strategies and implementing a bit of self discipline. Here are a few of my favorite tips that will help you look great for less.

Cancel the Corduroys and Choose Denim                    

With all of the fun colors featured in catalogues when the weather turns cool, corduroys can be tempting. I know I’ve certainly caved a time or two over the years to their lure. The truth however, is that the fabric in corduroy pants tends to wear out fairly quickly. This makes the durability of denim appealing, particularly for things like travel clothing and day-to-day activities. It’s my fabric of choice when I need pants to wear with heels and a sweater for a casual date night, works well for a basic long skirt and denim jackets can be paired with anything from khakis to floral shirt dresses. Denim is just as doable for guys. I see men traveling all the time with jeans playing a major role in their vacation wardrobe.

Black Wool Skirts are Worth Their Weight in Gold

Women searching for affordable professional clothing would do well to consider adding a basic black wool skirt to their wardrobe. A high quality, lined piece has the capacity to last for decades and stay stylish for the duration. Basic skirts work with heels, knee boots and even flats as far as footwear goes, and can be paired successfully with everything from colorful sweaters and knit tops to crisp white blouses with funky tapestry vests.

V-Neck Sweaters Are a Unisex Must-Have

While not one to choose overly heavy sweaters since I’m on the road so often, I do truly appreciate a good quality, mid-weight v-neck for the wardrobe flexibility it can provide both men and women. One of my favorite fashion tips from the television series Covert Affairs is how guys can layer the sweater over one or two other crew neck tees to cut down on the number of items you need to pack in your carry-on bag. These same sweaters also look great over a crisp dress shirt, which is something both genders can put to use after a few days on the road when that shirt may have a spill or two that can only be hidden by layering another high-coverage piece over the top.

Darker Colors Suit the Season and Resist Stains from Year to Year

As much as lighter colors can add punch to any outfit, darker colors are definitely longer lasting when it comes to wardrobe items you can wear year after year. They also suit the season quite well, making colors like black, navy, charcoal grey and chocolate brown fall fashion winners. If you can’t resist picking up a few lighter colors, try to keep those purchases to items you generally have to replace frequently anyway, like button-up shirts and mock turtlenecks. Going dark with blazers and dress pants in durable fabrics will help ensure those purchases last as long as possible.

Choose Cool Weather Accessories that Coordinate Across Your Wardrobe

While a coordinating hat, scarf and glove set is a smart buy for both guys and gals, it pays to make your purchase with precision. It never ceases to amaze me how many people think they need to have a set in every color of the rainbow. Not true. Choosing your accessory set in a color and fabric that will work with any outfit helps you keep the cost under control and lets you dish out a couple of extra bucks towards a fabric that will go the distance for a few years.

Fall fashion doesn’t have to wipe out your bank account, especially if you are willing to build your wardrobe by purchasing a few quality items each year. What are your favorite classic fall fashion items? Feel free to sound off in the comment section below.

Myscha Theriault

Myscha Theriault

A lifelong money cruncher who can squeeze a nickel ‘til it cries, Myscha is a syndicated columnist, best-selling author, and founder of Trek Hound and We Be Sharin’.