Your Fashion Calendar: What to buy when

Being fashionable sometimes involves some work. Today, MSN Beauty & Fashion posted this monthly schedule to aid in building and maintaining a fashionable and functional wardrobe year-round. It shows you when to stock up, look for end-of-season sales and spot new trends.

 January
• Scour your favorite fashion mags for a preview of the best looks from designers' spring lines.
• Secure your spot on the waitlists for the most covetable pieces.
• Couture collections are shown in Paris. Look for trends that you can work into your own wardrobe.

February
• Spring clothes land in stores. Look out for the season's key pieces.
• Assess your wardrobe and determine what pieces are missing or need refreshing.
• Act fast: The best shoes and bags sell out first.
• Fall fashions debut in New York, Milan, and Paris.


March
• Spring fashion is in high gear in stores and in the magazines.
• Tear pages from magazines of your favorite pieces to help you shop.
• Check the Internet for the fall collections. Pick your favorite looks now.

 April
• Time to transition into your lightweight wardrobe.
• Try swapping your suits for springy dresses.
• Buy a trench! If you have a classic khaki already, get a new one in black or crisp white.

 May
• Start thinking summer! Pull out your sandals, shorts, and sundresses from storage and see what needs to be updated or refurbished.
• Don't put it off: Get out there and shop for a new swimsuit. Give yourself time to find the perfect one — this is one area where you especially don't want to be left with too few or ill-fitting options.

 June
• Prefall lines are in stores. It's a good time to buy basics and classics.
• Stay chic in the heat with breezy pieces and strategic layering.
• Summer-sales alert! Scour the racks for any designer goodies you may have missed out on.

 July
• Get your first peek at the newest trends and essential pieces for fall.
• Call stores and secure your favorite pieces now, before they hit the shelves.
• It's Paris couture time again. See what trends will influence fashion in the upcoming year.

 August
• Fall fashions hit stores. Pull out the to-buy list you made in February and run to your favorite shops.
• Check your closet to see what cold-weather items need new life. Do your boots need resoling? Time to buy a new coat?

 September
• The new season is at its peak. Fill in your wardrobe with fall's best suits, jackets, and coats.
• Don't forget to score the It bag, shoe, and boots!
• Spring collections make their runway debut in New York, Milan, and Paris.

 October
• Spruce up your wardrobe with extra touches, whether that means cool jewelry, fun belts, or sexy shoes.
• Buy your LBD and all your evening accoutrements now. The holidays will be here sooner than you think.
• Sales alert: look out for deals on coats and cashmere.

 November
• While you should start making headway on your gift lists, think about personal pieces like lingerie. You know you could use some new unmentionables.
• Make sure you have everything in order for all the parties next month.

 December
• It's all about the holidays, and shopping is at a fever pitch. Don’t forget to buy something for yourself.
• Resort collections make a splash in stores. Now’s the perfect time to buy for warm-weather vacations.

There you have it! A fool-proof way to keep your wardrobe fresh and in-style.


Keep checking back at jlamore.com for fall trends and new pieces!

Mandy
Creative Director