"....you don't need money to dress better than you do..." -Sal Romano

I was re-watching one of my favorite TV shows on Netflix, Mad Men, and heard one of the characters say this line. This statement is a reminder that you don't need the latest high-end fashion labels or to break the bank to look stylish. In fact, style is your personal imprint on the fashion you buy whether expensive or not. So whether you spend a lot or a little, you can always be stylish. In order to help you be your most stylish, there are a few things to keep in mind as you shop: fit, color and style. Paying attention to these three items will ensure you are always dressed well.

Fit

Fit refers to the degree to which a garment is well-placed on the body. You may have said to yourself that a jacket fit great or some jeans had a bad fit. You want your clothes to accentuate your body not detract. Good fit makes your clothing look modern and tailored while making you look well put together. You should know your body type and what works best for you. For example, if you have a muscular build you might opt for clothing with an athletic fit. An athletic fit allows more room in the shoulder and chest area as well as pants with more room in the thighs for your quads. When shopping you should try on a few different "fits" to find what works best for you. If you want to take fit to the next level, find a good tailor. Good tailoring will solve fit and sizing issues if you are between sizes or are hard to fit. A tailor is a good investment just make sure the garments you have tailored are worth it to you.

Color

Incorporating color into your wardrobe adds visual interest to your look, it gives the eye a place to travel. By now you should have a good idea of which colors look best on you. Keep your skin, eye, hair color in mind as you test colors that will work. Contrast is key when wearing color. For example, if you're wearing a dark suit, shoot for a tie with a bold color to make the suit pop. Save the dark tie for job interviews or other occasions that require a more sedate look. When it comes to color think outside the box, you can add color either through a specific article of clothing like a sweater, shirt, pants or socks. You can also add color with accessories like watches, scarves, ties, or bags. Color should compliment your overall look and fit with your personality, it'll make the use of color more authentic. Less is more when it comes to color so pick colors that will make the biggest impact.

Style

Now that you've gotten clothing with a proper fit and identified some colors that work for you, let's put it all together. This is called styling, adding your own touch to an outfit making it distinctively yours. A trick that I use is called the rule of three. The rule of three is simple: Select your top and bottom (not including your shoes), then add a third piece. It can be a cool jacket, bold accessories, or statement tie. Using this trick, you'll also get ideas for other ways to wear your clothes.

Try these tips and let me know how they work for you. Stay stylish friends...