With the advent of Eid-ul-Fitr not far away, the auspicious occasion calls for new clothes; children and adults look forward to celebrating the festival with new ‘joras’ or outfits to wear at Eid parties or family gatherings. A buying spree may have to be curtailed for some, in light of the current economic meltdown and spiraling prices; cash flow is hard to come by, and the innate desire to buy that ‘striking new print’ or that ‘perfect prêt-a- porter outfit’ may not always be possible, more so since you have recently spent a large sum of money on new clothes, for a family wedding or a celebration of sorts.

Undoubtedly, a new outfit, footwear, handbag or piece of jewelry always help to elevate one’s spirit. Consumer spending also has an advantage; it directly impacts the economy, increases production, creates employment and stimulates economic growth. However, saving a little today will help you buy more tomorrow.

Here are some tips on how to ‘Buy Smart.’

• The first is to review your wardrobe or collection of clothes; check for old outfits that are not faded and threadbare, segregating unwanted pieces and retaining the good ones.

• Pick a bright cheerful dupattas or one that is lightly embroidered (whose outfit has lost its luster) and give it a brand new face. Make a long or short shirt either to be worn with pants or a neutral color shalwar and dupatta. It is a known fact, that almost all women keep black, white and beige shalwars with equivalent matching dupattas that go well with assorted prints.

• Do a complete make-over of a sari (your mother’s, sister or cousin) and make it into a dressy attire, simply by using embellishments like trims or dainty embroidery around the neck and sleeves. A plain chiffon dupatta will complete the ensemble and give it an elegant touch.

• Make matching pants with embroidered edges (fabric with embroidery readily available) with a shirt that is too short for the shalwar, since hemlines are becoming longer. A short shirt will transform the outfit, when worn with loose wide pants that are back in fashion.

• If you have an expensive outfit that you love, but the shirt seemed to have shrunk; retain the dupatta and shalwar and buy material to compliment the suit. You will have a brand new formal outfit spending only half the amount.

• If you have a solid (plain not printed) color outfit, rotate with assorted dupattas.

You will be surprised, when you discover, that improvising is the best way to economize. It will not only enhance your creative skills, it will also put a smile on your face.