I have an exercise for each and every one of you to do this weekend - or whenever you have a spare hour or two.

Go through your wardrobe.

With the doom and gloom about the state of the country's economy and the threat of a recession looming, we are all feeling the pinch. And it's usually during those times that a lot of us turn to retail therapy to make us feel better.

Here's a tip - it's not really going to make you feel great to spend money you might not have and then wake up to hear that the stock market has crashed again and we are all going to have to watch our dollars for the next few months to come.

But there is an easy way to make yourself feel better without spending a cent. Truly.
It's as simple as going through your existing wardrobe and re-discovering pieces you might have forgotten about, then - and this can be a bit tricky so you might want a completely honest friend to help you out here - try to create some new outfits. That blouse you always wear with that skirt - team it with a pair of trousers or even some jeans and a pair of flats.

Layer that simple white tee under a vest and pull on a pair of capris. Use that belt to go over a jacket or cardigan, which you pop on over a dress you would never think of wearing it with.

Pull out the jewellery stashed away in jewellery boxes and team it with a simple black dress or be bold and layer it up over a pretty printed number.

Stack up bracelets - gold and silver do work together no matter what you've heard!
Go through the shoe cupboard and check heels with trouser and skirt lengths - wear a polar opposite coloured pair with black trousers for a bit of ‘wow' factor.

Wrap a floral scarf around your neck with a striped tee - if the colours work you will be surprised at just how good it can look.

The great thing about fashion these days is, it doesn't stick to the old rules. You can create your own, you just have to be confident.

My only word of caution however - you have to be careful that you don't get too carried away. Remember the aim is to look stylish not slap-dash. That's where the honest friend comes in. I say friend and not husband or partner as we all know - generally speaking of course - men just don't get fashion.

Your challenge: to create at least 10 new outfits. It may sound a lot, but once you start you'll find it's not as hard as you think and better still, it can even be fun. Plus, you can afford a nice night out on the money you'll save as well as get to road-test your new fashion sense.

Too easy.

Let me know how you go.

Lee-Anne