5 Ways to Look Good for Less

Save while looking suave In a classic episode of "The Simpsons," Marge finds a pink Chanel suit at an outlet store.

It's her ticket into the ritzy country club, but being on a budget she decides to alter the outfit on a weekly basis into new designs until it unravels all together at the sewing machine.

A lot of consumers these days can sympathize with Marge Simpson's plight as they try to stretch their fashion budgets.

As the economy plays with recessionary waters like a sunbather who can't decide whether to get in or out of the swimming pool, many consumers are prolonging purchasing that new power suit for the upcoming interview, the trendy cocktail dress or even the new winter coat.

Some men don't dare button the business suit purchased two years -- and 10 pounds -- ago. The female middle manager crosses her fingers walking to the office, fearing the 2-year-old heels she's wearing will snap like her other trusty pair did last week.

But must-need fashion can be had at a budget, experts say. It takes patience. It takes a plan. Here are some tips on how to update your wardrobe, and make it last by saving where you can and splurging for quality.

Back to basics When it comes to saving on fashion, experts say splurge on the basics that never go out of style, don't get suckered in by trendy brands or en vogue styles, and always -- always -- seek quality.

This translates for women into spending cash on that little black dress and men splurging on at least one custom-made suit.

In the business world, men are often judged by their shoes while women are judged on their handbags.

Men need to stay away from the gum-soled shoes and splurge for a good pair of shoes that can be repaired and be kept polished. Women can go with one or two good pairs of pumps but can save money on the trendy shoes that come and go with each passing fashion season.

"My rule of thumb for saving and splurging is: I always ask myself how many seasons am I going to wear that for," says Nikki Novo, a fashion writer who has been published in Allure magazine and on NBC.com.

Novo says she's willing to pay for a good pair of slacks or that little black dress. "Anything that has a solid color and has a classic silhouette," she says. As for the flavor of the season, such as loud graphic prints and the cute little dress or skirt, she'll go to a Target or Forever 21.

Is a purse just a purse? Prices can reach the stratosphere for the well-known name-brand purses. The experts say trend away from brands such as Louis Vuitton or Coach, and spend that money on something that is high-quality but less expensive.

"Make sure it's not imitation leather or anything other than good material," Novo says. Cheap bags will break and become shiny with wear. They end up costing money because women have to buy another bag sooner than they would if they just bought a good one to begin with.

Natalie P. McNeal, author of "The Frugalista Files: How One Woman Got Out of Debt Without Giving Up The Fabulous Life," says one good bag is good enough. Fashion bags that match a cocktail dress or a cute little summer bag to go with a sundress can be had for a steal at discount and big-box stores. She even used a makeup bag once as a purse, she says.

Women can also save money on secondary shoes. Shoe stores such as Nine West and Steve Madden turn out high-quality imitations of brand-name shoes that sell for 10 times the price, Novo says. So don't overpay for those peep-toe heels, she says, because they are probably manufactured in a foreign factory just down the street from those expensive brands using the exact same material.

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