Q I have only $200 to blow on a blazer, a tee or singlet inside and light-coloured jeans and new sneakers. What are my options?

A It's not a lot of money to work with, but it's not an impossible task. Here's how to look good on a shoestring budget.

Skimp on the tee or singlet. These you can easily pick up from Giordano or even Muji, which does great basics that don't lose shape in the wash.

Go darker instead of lighter. Deeper shades hide a multitude of flaws and make affordable buys look upmarket. This goes for dark cotton or polyester pants and even darker denims.

Think trendier silhouettes. Do skinny jackets and jeans to stay in the moment.

Don't limit yourself to blazers, which will throw your budget off especially if you're getting a pair of spiffy sneakers too. A sports jacket in a darker shade can look just as stylish. Try Topman and G2000.

For sneakers, I'd do basic Converse sneakers in a solid deep shade - always a classic, and better if they're a little worn in, so it looks just thrown together. But also consider loafers, another casual chic option. You can always pick up affordable buys at Pedro or Beetlebug (both at the basement of Wisma Atria).