When I was little, my mom would take me shopping at the beginning of every season. I’d pick about x new shirts, x pairs of pants, a handful of skirts and most of the old stuff would be given away. Those were the days. Now, however, the potent combination of paying for my own things and not being able to justify throwing out closets of clothes that still fit have forced me to reconsider my shopping methods. Instead of buying a closet of new clothes, I buy a few nice things a year. It’s great when I first buy them and want to wear the new dresses to death. But then winter rolls around the next year and the wool sheath dress I bought last November isn’t so exciting anymore. KNow what I’m saying here? In order to prevent you from the sort of wardrobe ennui that might inspire one to light their closet on fire, here are five solid ways to make old clothes feel new again.

This week, the temperature dropped enough for our ears to feel the cold. It’s time to bring out the hats and ear warmers but wouldn’t this “Hallowig” hair hat be a more, um, interesting way to keep toasty this winter? Knit yourself a new ‘do by following these instructions. [Knitty via À La Garçonnière]

Twentyten’s “makeout guard” necklace will make you look sharp. Ha. [Blog.UrbanOutfitters.com]

Remember that NY Times style writer Cintra Wilson, who claimed JC Penney was nothing but a “dowdy Middle American entity” catering to fat, overweight people (i.e., anyone over a size 2)? Well, the press is still giving her flack for it. (To which I say, rightly so, considering all the ignorance she’s spewed. Hell, the much-lauded-by-the-fashion-industry Olsens are now designing for the retailer!) The latest smackdown is courtesy of The Awl, who not only make their own trip to JC Penney and report back, but also hilariously point out that she’s the Tucker Max of fashion columnists, due to her over-usage of the word “fat.” Here’s what they found, contrary to what Wilson wrote ...

Growing up in Ohio, I didn’t encounter many, er, any sample sales. In fact, I had no clue what one was until I went to college in the big city of Chicago, and all the girls who grew up in L.A., Connecticut, and New York would be all, “I’m going to Wicker Park for so-and-so-designer’s sample sale.” By then I had started subscribing to Daily Candy and had a little bit of a clue, but I didn’t go to one myself until I moved to New York after school. It was terrifying. All these normally expensive clothes and accessories for less! And you had to try everything on in front of other shoppers or on top of your clothes! And you couldn’t return or exchange anything! I didn’t buy anything at the first few I went to, but I kept tagging along with friends because I didn’t want to “miss out” on some amazing, one-of-a-kind steal. And then I broke my sample sale seal.

I know designers and showrooms hold sample sales because they need to get rid of inventory, and causing a frenzy can make people purchase things they wouldn’t under normal circumstances. I know that sometimes my adrenaline gets the best of me and I make a truly questionable spur-of-the-moment purchase. But, I’m OK with being tricked into pulling out my credit card, because if it weren’t for sample sales, I might never buy anything, ever.

Once again Michelle Obama has put design within reach for the masses by wearing this white wool sheath dress from mom-tastic store Talbots. (It retails for a moderate $200.) We have to say, Mobama certainly rocks the look better than the Talbots model. If we were browsing the site, we’d probably pass the item by. So, maybe Talbots is worth a try? These days, a lot of mom-friendly stores are trying to attract a hipper client—like New York & Co. and Eileen Fisher. The latter just revamped its flax-heavy line, and the results were pretty cute (yet too expensive).

After the jump, a few surprisingly cute Talbots items that could definitely earn the Obama seal of fashion approval.

Sweet Jesus, overalls are officially “in.” Ralph Lauren (runway shot above), Jean Paul Gaultier, Roberto Cavalli and other designers sent models down the runway sporting versions of the popular farm wear that ranged from questionable all-leather numbers to one quite unfortunate overall-inspired metallic evening gown. Now, don’t get me wrong: I love a comfy overall and I certainly do agree that they look adorable. On toddlers. I may have been known to sport an overall or two as recently as college, maybe even after that, here and there. But there comes a time in a grown-ass woman’s life when she’s simply a bit too mature to pull off certain looks, know what I’m saying? That’s why God created sexy jumpsuits for, I guess, you know, to satisfy that onesie urge. Much like those clogs that came clumping down spring runways, this is a look I’ll have to pass on. But you tell me: After it trickles down and Topshop and H&M and everyone else inevitably starts trying to sell you the trend, will you buy in? [Style.com]

In the December issue of Elle, cover girl Sarah Jessica Parker talks about becoming a mother (and loving the smell of diapers) and jokes that her two daughters, Marion (called Loretta) and Tabitha, will one day raid her closet: “The only tragedy would be if their feet are bigger than mine.” Having large feet would be unfortunate for the two girls, considering the number of beautiful designer shoes Parker has amassed as a result of playing “Sex and the City“‘s Carrie Bradshaw since the late ‘90s.

My personal shoe collection isn’t much, and I’m not sure future daughters of mine would be thrilled if I saved a battered pair of London Sole ballet flats for them. They would, however, have fun going through my jewelry box and piling on the diverse assortment of bangle bracelets I’ve collected—from fancy to 50-cent—along with tying the million and one scarves I own around their necks. What from your closet will you pass down to your daughters (real or hypothetical)?

Looks like someone has been dipping into the unflattering trend pool of yore. Leighton Meester was spotted on the set of “Gossip Girl” making a change from what appears to be the high heels of her costume to a pair of Uggs on her break. (Unless Blair has some scene where she’s trying to be ironic? Doubtful.) Seems everyone except for Jessica Simpson has put Uggs on the banned fashions list, and we know a lot of girls who wouldn’t be caught dead in the winter boots (we really would have thought Leighton would be in that group).

But, you gotta admit ... they are super warm and comfy. Like walking on clouds! So come clean—do you still have those pink Uggs circa 2003 in your closet? Break them out from time to time? [Um, yes, yes I do.—Editor] In public? Blair would never!

Check out these extraordinarily awesome paper clothing creations by Elisabeth LeCourt, who turns maps into wearable art. Eco-friendly? Yes. Comfortable? I don’t know. Durable? I doubt it. Regardless, LeCourt’s pleated dresses and chic tops let you look like origami—if, you know, that’s the look you’re going for. And, if you ever get lost, you’ll be able to find your way back home, provided you’re wearing the right map garment. Stay away from open flames, though. [Flavorwire]

Whoa, this is like a “Project Runway” challenge that a bunch of designers did just because. This fashion show for a chocolate convention in New York featured dresses created by clothing designers and pastry chefs. We hadn’t heard of any of them before, and maybe these wacky designs are the reason why: The presentation included dresses with cartoon-y touches, a molded bodice made from dark and milk chocolate, and a Lady Gaga-esque outfit featuring a futuristic leotard made from candy armor and fishnets.

What might be more interesting (or disturbing, you decide) is a bit on a new type of chocolate, one made from camel milk. It’s described as being a bit salty with a “mineral” taste. So wrong. And oddly, we kind of want to try it. [CNN]

Ralph Lauren debuted his new uniforms for the US Olympic team during “The Today Show” on Wednesday morning, and they’re nothing less than pure Americana style. Surprised? The closing ceremony looks mix a newsboy feel (like his spring runway show) with hard core alpine boots, while the design on the medal stand collection is all one of a kind, “like a snowflake.” How precious. You can buy pieces now on Nike.com, and even personalize your own polo, so now everyone’s an Olympic athlete. Just don’t get caught with a bong in your hands.

A few short years ago, Kelly Osbourne was known solely for her fashion faux pas, wild hair and makeup, and drug addictions. So why did she pen a style book? Well, as any “Dancing with the Stars” fan will tell you, Kelly has lived through her well-documented fashion mistakes and has learned from them, coming out of the “tough years” very poised. She reveals her style tips in Fierce in a way that only Kelly can, but we’ve got a few takeaways for you after the jump.

Apparently, Hollywood pressure can really get to a (spice) girl. Mel B is married to some producer dude who had something to do with some new movie called, “Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans” that we will likely never see. It premiered last night. Whatever. But The Daily Mail reports that when she realized “she would be sharing the red carpet with A-listers Eva Mendes and Charlize Theron, she knew she would have to go the extra mile to get attention.” Oddly, she kind of went the opposite of an extra mile and uh, fell a little short. Seriously. Tragically. Short. [The Daily Mail]

When I worked at New York & Co. in the early part of this decade, the fashion was really lacking. The clothes were one step above your typical mom wear with work appropriate stuff mixed in. Plus, my store didn’t carry size XS or 2, so I rarely bought anything. All that has changed, now, as the retailer tries to get more with the times—the style times that is. And I’m having a difficult time not buying pretty much everything on the site. Here are 20 of my favorite, totally affordable items from New York & Co.