A friend recently consulted me on the buying of a dress. It was on sale, and it was a nice color, and she’d probably have to shorten it. What did I think? One tiny picture on my phone was enough to reveal that even with all the altering in the world, the dress wouldn’t be flattering. However, her comment sparked my interest. In times like these, it seems to fit that we’want to buy the most inexpensive clothing we can find, given that we’ve all had to tighten our belts extensively. What are we to do when we find that perfect dress for the perfect price, but it’s just the tiniest bit too big?

Alter it, my dear fashionistas. Alter it, of course! A nip here, a tuck there, and voila, you’ve got yourself a dress that fits like a glove!Easier said than done, of course, but a good tailor can work a whole lot of magic. If you haven’t got the funds to spare to pay a tailor, invest in a good sewing kit. Anyone can learn how to sew on a button, or push a needle in one side and out the other. Minute sewing skills will do wonders for your closet.That blazer you got for five bucks on the street that you’ve been dying to wear if only the sleeves didn’t hang down to your knees? A scissor, a needle and some thread should do the trick. Chop off the sleeves leaving a bit of room fora hem, and do the shortening yourself!

I have another friend who is extremely petite, and also extremely fashionable, and this proves to be quite the conundrum for her. She’s so tiny that all the places she wants to shop don’t carry anything that will fit her.My shirts swim on her; and even a women’s small tee can be a mini dress on her body. Thankfully, the girl taught herself how to sew. Now, she’s able to buy the things she likes, because she’s learned that shortening a hem, or taking in a dress on the sides, is quite simple once you’ve got the tools.

Case in point: I’d like to encourage you all to think a bit outside the box when it comes to your shopping. Normally, I’d tell you to never buy something just because it’s on sale. This is mostly true. But if it’s 75%off and the only problem is that it’s just too damn long, get it. Get it before the girl next to you grabs it out of your hands and runs away. Get it, shorten it to a length that accurately flatters your legs, or hides your tummy.

Altering doesn’t just mean shortening. The word can extend to any work that changes a piece of clothing. As I said, in troubled times, one has to learn how to think outside the box. That jacket is a bit plain, but how would it look with some studs? That tee is a perfect fit, but it’s just so boring.How would it look if you threw some bleach around the neckline? That white tank has seen better days, how would it look if you took out the hem and added some ruffles to the neckline? The key to spending less is learning to visualize where a piece can go. Even the most boring of basics can be spiced up.

The best part about altering? It Ensures that what you’re wearing is undeniably one of a kind. When you’ve doctored it to your heart’s desires, it’s yours and yours alone. Now, this doesn’t mean I’m giving you license to go all hippie tie-dye on your white tanks and sprinkle rhinestones all over your jeans. But it does mean that you’ll garner a great deal of compliments. I studded a leather jacket I got for$5 at a Salvation Army this past weekend, wore it out on Saturday night, and got a compliment from the first person who saw it. “I love your jacket,” said the woman in the coatroom, “where’d you get it?” “Thanks!” I said. “I made it.”