Update Your Look Without Spending a Dime

5. Try those what-was-I-thinking shoes … again

It’s now cool to wear sandals and peep-toes with socks or tights, and platform shoes are having a comeback. Aren’t you glad you didn’t toss them?

Elsa Davis in a silver pleated skirt, black top and ballet flats; Bevy Smith in a gold pleated pencil skirt and T-shirt.

John Lamparski/Getty Images; Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Belvedere Vodka

6. Swap evening pieces for daytime wear

Why save sparkly metallics and sequins for after dark when you can shine 24/7? Add any silver, gold or shimmery skirt to a black blouse, T-shirt or sweater and you’ve reinvented it. No cost! Reverse the glitz-on-top, black-on-bottom idea for another solution.

Halle Berry in a miniskirt tailored suit; Christie Brinkley in a mini, black turtleneck and booties and ivory coat.

Desiree Navarro/WireImage/Getty Images; Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

7. Resurrect your minis

If your legs are still great (at least in your opinion) this might be a good time to revamp your short dresses and skirts. Yes, we are not Halle Berry, Christie Brinkley, Jennifer Lopez or Brigitte Macron, who wear super-short hemlines at the drop of a hat, but who cares? We have their body confidence, charisma and a closet filled with minis we can’t bear to toss. Just keep your top and arms covered for body balance. If bare-legging it is too much (or too chilly), add black knee-high boots or ankle booties and tights. Problem solved. Think of minidresses with straight shift silhouettes as tunics, too, and wear them over leggings.

Lori Wyman in a leopard wrap blouse; Laura Dern in a python print pantsuit.

John Wolfsohn/Getty Images; David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

8. Pull out all your '80s animal prints and mix them

A jolt of python, cheetah, zebra, leopard or mock croc will rejuvenate your wardrobe, for sure. I know you still have bags, belts and probably a leopard sweatshirt or faux fur lurking in your closet. They’ll look so on-trend even you will be surprised at the compliments.

Mary Steenburgen with defined brows, eyes and soft matte red lips; Angela Bassett wears layered and blended neutral makeup.

Leon Bennett/Getty Images; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty Images 

9. Reinvent beauty products

Layer eye shadows and blend lipsticks to create new shades and make leftovers and palettes more wearable than ever. Blend a neutral eye shade like gray, light brown or taupe over a colorful shadow to tone it down; blend a matte over a metallic/glittery shadow to mute the sparkly texture to a shimmer. Apply warm beige, peach or gold colors over or under those that are too cool (like purple, mermaid blue) or too dark and smoky to decrease their intensity. Mix a nude or brown lipstick with vibrant reds, pinks or berries to create softer, tawnier, more natural hues.

Last word: Spritz two fragrances on one over the other to make a unique DIY scent — stay within the same fragrance group and mix two florals, for example, or mist floral and spicy, woodsy and fruity if you really want to get adventurous.