How to save money and be stylish?

The Wikipedia definition of a recessionista: A recessionista is someone who seeks out fashionable items of clothing and food, which are also low-cost.

I am a recessionista who cares about food as much as fashion. I don’t think food and fashion are mutually exclusive. You are what you eat, and what you are determines what you wear. Do I make sense? If not then read on, I will explain. Some people become recessionistas by circumstances but I have to say I was always one when it came to clothes, but only recently I have become a food recessionista.

If you are a wannabe recessionista, you might identify with these:

1.    You dream of clothes and shoes.
2.    You love to go out for nice dinners with shaved truffle on your entrée.
3.    The only way someone could make you eat french fries was if it was fried in truffle oil with lemon zest.
4.    You do not eat food from a factory!
5.    You have never had Prozac. Clothes, shoes and accessories are your antidepressants.
6.    Your idea of dessert is not a big piece of grocery store bought cake.
7.    The word “organic” lingers in your vocabulary all the time.
8.    Your fashion and food budget has diminished.

So come on ladies (and men who care for style) we aren’t going to let a thing like a poor economy stand in the way of fashionable dressing and gourmet eating. Here I am sharing my deepest secrets with you. I hope you will share yours with me as well.

You have this silky halter neck top but too bad it is winter and too risqué for work. You are thinking of getting rid of it. Please don’t, just throw a nice sweater on top of it and it is your new addition to your work wardrobe. The silk will show through the sweater but not your skin, just perfect for work.

I have got to give it to the first lady Michelle Obama for being the ultimate recessionista. I have to admit I never thought brooches were “cool” and mostly old ladies wore them during the holidays. But she has definitely made me realize that a brooch can add a zing to your old plain colored dress or clothing.

Broad belts are a great come back. You have this long dress; one size too big but you love the fabric. You bough it because it was on sale or somebody gifted it to you. Whatever the reason may be, no need to throw it away. Just get a broad belt in a contrast color and voila you have a new trendy belted look.

Shoes can make or break a deal. It is okay to skimp on brand names but invest in a good pair of shoes. I am compelled to share this shoe story. I found these wonderful boots on sale, they were a really good deal. I was lucky enough to find my size but not the color. The shoes were available only in red and I was looking for a black pair of boots that would go with everything. I bought those shoes, came home and used black shoes polish on them. They are as black as they can be nobody would ever guess they were red shoes on sale.

The wait time for dinner reservations at the top restaurants might be less but your budget to eating out has become less as well. Don’t fret!  My husband and I still go out at night once in a while after our child is tucked in bed. However, instead of dinner we choose to go out for dessert. So the amount you have to spend on the babysitter for a date night is cut into half and so is your eating out bill. You can still feel that you are fun and trendy but at half the cost.

During a recession, alcohol is an absolute killer. You may feel the initial high but is a depressant (ask me, I am a social worker by training). It will bring down your spirits and your bank balance. Try sparkling water, wonderfully brewed gourmet coffee and aromatic herb teas.

Becoming a recessionista will require a little bit of time, effort and creativity but believe me it is not impossible. I just have one disclaimer: Whatever you do don’t compromise on quality. For a true recessionista, quality trumps quantity.

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Arpita has a master’s degree in Health Communication and Social Work. She works for Hudson Perinatal Consortium, a non-profit that addresses maternal child health issues in Jersey City, New Jersey. Contact her at erysiphe@hotmail.com.