The 'R' word.  You know which one I'm talking about. Thanks to the aforementioned curse, clotheshorses like myself been forced to tighten our purse strings and check into reality.

Karl Lagerfeld has noted the silver lining of the recession cloud. An end to tacky decor!  "Bling is over. Red carpet-y covered with rhinestones is out. I call it 'the new modesty.'" I couldn't have said it better myself Uncle Karl.  I think that we're all a little tired of unnecessary glitz.  Despite being in love with gems and jewels (I'm a sucker for rubies in particular), I was never really a fan of blinged-out water bottles, belly button rings, grills, stick on body jewelry or Carrie Bradshaw's jeweled pink phone.  

A little simplification seems to be a seasonable side effect of the current economic situation.  Take Miu Miu's SS09 collection for instance. Paper bag princess anyone?   The simple silhouettes and burlap fabrics are a throwback to simplicity.  Rather than being adorned with minute details, the skirts of dresses were half heartedly spritzed with spray paint (I could easily do this myself to clothes I already own).

Designers are also tipping their caps to past recessionistas, the flapper. Loads of fringe roamed the runways from Jil Sander to Alberta Ferretti. In a spark of inspiration, I found that I could imitate the look by revamping an old dress by trimming the bottom with some fringe from the fabric store. 2009 is all about DIY. Voila! I have a new addition to my closet for the low price of one meter of fringe and a bit of time sewing while watching the latest episode of Fashion Television.

New years always marks a time of new beginnings, so why not start with your closet?  I have so many things to get rid of, but can't be bothered to take it all to the nearest Value Village (or as I like to pronounce it, Valoo Veelaaj).  So I've decided to throw a clothing swap.  If you want to throw one, bring all of your gently used clothing that you don't get any use out of.  Invite your most stylish friends asking them to do the same.  I like to set out ground rules so that we're all still friends by the end of the swap.  No take backs! Once you've let go of your item, it's as good as gone.  If there's anything left, be a do-gooder and take it to the thrift store.  Your loss can be someone else's gain (And also, closet space gain).