Get Stylin': A Designer's Guide to Mixing It Up

Let's face it, a true fashionista wants to look and feel stylish even during a financial crisis. It's tempting every morning just to stay in bed, pull the covers over your head and think about never getting out of your flannel pajamas.

But now's not the time to let your wardrobe snooze. It's time to get creative, says Adam Yankauskas, designer of the contemporary dress line Maggy London — a favorite of Miranda in the latest "Sex and the City" movie. Remember the black and white print dress?
With most of his designs retailing for under $150, Yankauskas has a few tips on how to stay fashionable during these tough times:

— Pair a great dress with some funky printed tights and ballet flats for an easy workday look that's updated for the cooler season.

— Then you can easily jazz up your daytime office look. "Swap the daytime tights for a solid pair, slip on a pair of strappy sandals or high-heeled boots, and you've got a stunning night-on-the-town outfit," he says.

— Accessories are key to obtaining a great outfit for less. "A dress can go from day to night by simply changing up the accessories," says Yankauskas. "Adding a chunky statement necklace and clutch creates a whole new look."

— Layering is the best way to personalize an outfit. "Ramp up your dress by sporting a colorful tee or turtleneck underneath," he says. "Throw on a boyish vest or add a long cardigan and a skinny belt. You'll get several different looks with just a few pieces."

— The ultimate must-have that will see you through a wardrobe downturn: "The little black dress is a classic, versatile option," admits Yankauskas. "Not only can you wear it over and over, style-wise it'll stand the test of time."

— Now is probably not the time to turn into the great pumpkin and buy a bright orange dress, when you don't have a thing to wear with it. "Purchase items in colors that complement your existing wardrobe," says the Maggy London designer. "It will be easier to mix and match and you won't look like such a fashion victim come next season."

Then you'll be ready to come out from under the covers and splurge.

Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association.

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