Savvy spring shopping

THE main trends set to put a spring into your step this season are: oriental, monochrome and neon brights. Fashion lover Chelsea Shirtcliffe, shares her budget busting tips, to update your wardrobe without breaking the bank:

Buy key pieces — Look for items that suit your style and shape. Whatever your age there will be a part of a trend that you can match to your style. With the neon trend, if you’re feeling confident, you could go for a bright dress or blazer. But if you’re not so brave with colour, try injecting some neon shades through shoes or accessories for a softer approach, and a more cost effective way to wear the trend.

Look in the clothes aisles — Lots of supermarkets now have their own clothing ranges, which offer on trend pieces at very affordable prices. This way you can afford to buy into new trends without the dreaded high street trawl. Supermarkets do tend to have a very good size range too — suitable for ladies of all shapes.

Look for trend mixes — Keep an eye out for pieces that fit into two trends. For example, you may find an oriental inspired top with monochrome colours, so you’re essentially bagging two trends for the price of one.

Always accessorise — Buying accessories is a really savvy way of wearing new trends.

Buying an oriental print bag, monochrome scarf or even just brightening up a plain outfit with some neon bright earrings, will change and update old outfits without the cost.

Something old is something new — Look for hidden pieces already in your wardrobe that could fit into new trends. It could be the black and white striped t-shirt you haven’t worn for a few months, or the wrap around Persian style dress you bought last summer. Trends do tend to come back around, so hold on to your favourite pieces from each season.