falling leaves of red and gold

Whether it's all those years of back-to-school shopping or simply the siren song of sumptuous fabrics and rich color palettes, fall fashions will never lose their allure for the shopper and stylist at heart. Summer is for amateurs; fall is when the big girls come out to play. But for most of us, no work and all play equals an overflowing wardrobe, a maxed-out credit card and a future "what the hell was I thinking?" So before the games begin:

1. Clean out your closet. Be ruthless. You will not wear that top that you have not worn in the past three years and you will not fit into those jeans that looked so hot your freshman year of college. And that friend who always points out the lipstick on your teeth and hated your last haircut as much as you did? Invite her over for the fun.

2. Salvage what you can: finally take care of those alterations, handbag and jewelry repairs. We're talking buttons, hemming, snapped leather straps and broken chains. Polish your shoes and re-tap the soles if necessary. If you're willing to make the investment, take loved-but-outdated pieces to a good tailor for alterations. Hemlines can be shortened, and on skirts and dresses, transformed into bubble-hems; silhouettes can be taken in for a more modern finish. A good tailor can work wonders.

3, Take the rest to a consignment shop and add to your funds. Or, make a charitable donation to Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

4. Think about your needs and wants. Does your work wardrobe or weekend wardrobe need more expanding? Like every other woman on the planet, is your closet a sea of black? Consider adding some color, or, at the very least, expanding your neutral palette of creams, beiges, camels and chocolates. Are all of your handbag colors and sizes serving your current needs, or are you constantly cursing yourself for the brightly colored clutch you don't own? What are the trends you want to take on this season?

5. Set a budget. Tough, I know, but try.

6. Take a deep breath and arm yourself with the appropriate credit card. Click, thumb and peruse away.