Stylish with a Side of Trendy

My mom always made the best of what she had. Silk purse out of sow’s ears and all that. We lived in a small town on a professor’s salary. And she had 4 kids. Let’s say she had Bloomie’s tastes on a K-Mart budget but always managed to look GREAT.

Staying trendy can be mighty costly. You may be reading this blog thinking we all have an exorbitant clothing budget. I can say for myself that I don’t. I don’t get a whole new wardrobe every season. Or every year. Not even every two years. I only add a few pieces each season to look up-to-date.

The main course is Stylish, with a side of Trendy.

I say Trendy is something that is a red hot thang right. now.  “One day it’s in, the next day it’s out.” [Thanks, Heidi.] It’s the kind of thing you look at in a  year or two and say, “Oh that is SO over.”

Trendy is Cyndi Lauper; Stylish is Jackie O.

Always Stylish

Trendy is the Kardashians; Stylish is Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

Already a style legend

Oh OK, it helps if you’re skinny and rich.

Keep a bevy of stylish, classic pieces, and  treat them carefully. Each season, buy several trendy pieces: shoes, a shirt, jewelry.  The key is to make smart choices. For example, don’t throw away all your pumps and replace them with the latest lace-up, platform open-toe booties. Speaking of which. Lace-up, platform, open-toe booties are supposedly the rage this Fall. So. If that floats your boat, try this outfit of classic pieces pumped up with some trendy pieces:

Things you might have: Classic white shirt, jeans, AE cardigan, Silpada silver drop earrings & 9West handbag as pop of color + FALL 2011 TRENDY ADDS: Silpada solid cuff bracelet, wide belt & booties = GREAT NEW OUTFIT!