There are a number of ways people can be fashionable while keeping it simple. The first rule is to not get stuck in a trend rut. While staying in fashion is important, purchasing items that really will only be fashionable for a few seasons will keep you up on the latest fashions, but your wardrobe budget will be extremely expensive. After the style is no longer fashionable, you are left with a closet of retro stuff.
The best way to avoid this is to purchase clothing (jeans, shirts, coats, dresses) that are absent of any particular trend. Then, accessorize the clothing with scarves, belts, hand bags, shoes, hair accessories, and shoes.
At the same time, this does not mean you have to discard keeping up with trends, but when purchasing items consider whether you can wear the item in a few years when the trend has surely passed.
Another fashion tip is to spend more money on quality items that will last you a couple of seasons, as opposed to shopping the discounts but not paying attention to the sturdiness of the material. Coats, shoes, trousers, and hand bags are major items that consumers should splurge on if the item is made of good, sturdy material.
Really, fashion is a personal choice, and keeping your wardrobe current is a balance between finding current fashions that are durable and will not look dated years later.