Looking Good on a Budget

By Nan Spowart

The secrets of living well on a budget are revealed in a new book by India Knight, a self-confessed shopaholic who is far from immune to the lure of new shoes or an expensive handbag.

Her Thrift Book gives advice on how to live stylishly without going into debt. The look to aim for is classic with killer accessories and one or two well-sourced versions of the current fashion. Her tip is to shop rarely, buy a little of the best but only classics. Spending a lot on this season's look is a waste of money. Neutral colors such as beige, navy, white and black look expensive even if they are cheap in a way that reds and pinks don't.

One smart handbag can make a huge difference to how expensive you look. Go for a classic, luxurious-looking style in black or brown. It doesn't matter if it is from a market stall as long as it looks good but avoid blingy bags or fakes. They just look like fakes.

The Thrift Book, Live Well and Spend Less, by India Knight is published by Fig Tree.