Watching Fashion Trends Is Frugal

Integral to my frugal wardrobe strategy is awareness of the ebb and flow of fashion cycles. Not the little here-today, gone-tomorrow fads (like ponchos), although I have no objection to wearing ONE when it suits the wearer.

What am I looking for? I'm looking for classic pieces that are becoming popular, such as pretty flats. And I'm looking for major silhouette movement, like the return of narrow jeans. And, last but not least, I am looking for the pieces that work within MY idiom.

How I use this information to save money:

• Emerging looks: When a look is very fresh, it will often show up in final clearance at major stores. Buy it now, wear it for a really long time! Some items, such as a white dress shirt, are worth actually paying for at this point. (That's hard for me, but there's always my birthday.)
  
  
• Established looks: Once a look becomes popular, it becomes more difficult to find inexpensively. Sometimes I will find it at a thrift store (usually off-season), but more often it's Old Navy or wait. Typically I choose wait.
  
  
• Saturated looks: When it's everywhere, the handwriting is on the wall. A decision needs to be made: is this something I want in my permanent wardrobe? If not, and it's still in good condition, I sell it on consignment, usually for more than I paid.
  

While I don't always have to have all the latest styles, I do want to dress like myself. Myself really doesn't like to look OUT of style.

Thoughts?