If your clothing budget is anything like mine, you might think that this summer’s wardrobe will be woefully short on the number of selections in your closet. With an innovative strategy and just a little planning, this doesn’t have to be the case. Let’s see how you, the savvy shopper, can create dozens of different looks with just a half dozen (or fewer) sundresses.

When your clothing budget is tight, focus primarily on classic cuts and styles. This gives you two immediate advantages. First, these sundresses will still be in fashion next year. Second, the classic style allows you to accessorize a dress for several different looks. With the right accessories, no one will sarcastically think, “Oh, didn’t she wear that the other day?” For example, a plain white dress, with an A-line cut, can be worn with a pair of red platform sandals, a red bag, and sparkly jewelry, for a lunch date. Tomorrow night, you can pair the same dress with a black bag and heels, accessorized with a classy pair of gold earrings, some gold bracelets, and a wide-brimmed black felt hat for a completely different sophisticated look. Now you are ready for a night on the town!

Your accessories are a key component of a versatile summer dress wardrobe. The right accessories, combined with classic styles, allow you to dress your outfit up or down, depending on the type of event you’re attending.

Your choice of colors, fabrics, and pattern designs is also important in the overall success of versatile summer dresses. Solid colors are the easiest to customize. Your best bet is a mix that includes one white, one black, and one of your favorite colors. Black and white dresses add a dramatic element, while also showing off your tan nicely. As for your favorite color, well, it’s probably your favorite color because it suits you! Also, this means that you probably have accessory items in your closet that go well with that color. When the number of summer dresses in your wardrobe is limited, it is better to choose patterns on a smaller scale. Large pattern designs tend to be more distinctive and memorable, as well as limit the choice of accessories.

Classic jackets, such as blazer and bolero styles, are good additions to your summer dress wardrobe. Light fabrics, such as cotton or linen, are comfortable and suitable for the hot summer climate. When shopping for clothes, always buy the best quality you can afford. Remember that this year’s selections can be used next summer and probably the following year. Come next summer, you can expand your summer dress collection with some new favorites. There you have it, in a nutshell, the secrets of the well-dressed woman. That would be you!