Invest in your staples classic, sturdy pieces that can be worn for years and years and buy trendy pieces only at a bargain price. A classic pair of black pumps that you’ll wear for hours at a time, at least several days out of the month, for years and years to come? They’re worth the splurge, so invest in a pricier pair that will hold together and offer better cushioning for your feet. The electric yellow pumps that you might only wear a few times out of the year? Try to find a bargain pair.

The same goes for any other purchase. A classic winter coat, a crisp white shirt, the jeans that flatter you just so these are pieces that will stay in your closet for years, so buy with quality in mind. Hot pink jeans and tribal-print skirts are passing trends that might not last more than a few months, so go ahead and look for a bargain.

There are lots of bargain stores at the mall, offering clothes and shoes for less than $50 (and often far less than that). Before you buy, check the item carefully. Are the seams well-stitched, or does the garment look like it might pull apart? Are the buttons sewn on tightly? Dresses and tops might be made of thinner material, so be sure you have a camisole or slip to wear underneath. Don’t buy the wrong size just because it’s on the clearance rack; an improper fit makes any garment look cheap. And check the return policy: many stores offer strict store credit only policies, or even refuse returns. Buyer beware!

As a general rule, trendy cheap chic chains are great for trendy jewelry, scarves, handbags, and other accessories. Remember that you probably won’t find real leather here, and the leather-look items can cut either way: fabulously fake or shiny and cheap. Some of the clothes are worth the money, but you’ll need a keen eye to separate a great bargain from a cheap item. They’re not the best places to find shoes, coats, or professional attire. But you can usually find cute pajamas, trendy tops, and other separates at great prices.

Save your hard-earned cash for investment pieces and hit the bargain chains when you need a few trendy items (like a colorful belt or a glittery clutch) to amp up the wow factor on your staple outfits. That’s the secret to bargain style!

Best: Cute ballet flats. You care enough about looking good that you’re not wearing hiking boots with that dress, but you’re still wearing shoes comfy enough for dancing.

Worst: Sky-high stilettos. You’ll be limping too badly to enjoy yourself. Also: teetering isn’t sexy!

Best: A flirty, body-conscious (but not skintight) dress that shows a little bit of skin. Think a strapless, knee-length sundress.

Worst: Anything that needs to be taped in place. There’s a fine line between sexy and trashy, and you won’t look cute tugging at your clothes to avoid a wardrobe malfunction.

Best: A cute fitted coat, like a blazer or a cropped motorcycle jacket.

Worst: A parka or nothing at all. Yes, there are two wrong options! Guys want to see your shape, but they don’t want to worry about you catching a cold.

Best: Something classic, like jeans and a tee.

Worst: Super-trendy outfits. Guys aren’t fashion mavens, and they don’t want to spend your date trying to figure out what you’re wearing.

Best: An outfit that shows off your best asset and makes you look and feel fabulous.

Worst: An outfit that says ìI’m trying too hard.î If you’re self-conscious about your middle, don’t wear a skin-tight top, because you’ll be too concentrated on holding in your tummy to enjoy your date. Highlight another part of your body that you love, like your long legs or toned arms. And don’t wear a cut or color just because it’s supposed to be ‘hot’. Stick to what you love and what you know makes you look good. Confidence is hot!

- Use color. How bold you go is depends on your mood. A colorful sweater is an easy pick; colored pants are a bolder choice. You can also add boldly colored jewelry, scarves, shoes, bags, and belts to any outfit even head-to-toe black to make it pop.

- Grab a printed scarf. Not only will it help keep you cozy, a cute scarf is an instant update for your regular jeans and sweater combo. It’s a no-brainer outfit maker on days when you’re rushed and out of inspiration.

- Layer up. Adding tights or leggings and a long-sleeved tee or cardigan is an easy way to make your summer dresses pull double-duty in the winter months. Add a pair of boots and you’re ready to go!

- Wear a statement coat. Celebs know that one of the easiest ways to look stylish in freezing weather is to grab a cool coat. Bright colors make even a grey day more fun, while long military or trench styles feel both feminine and structured while also keeping you covered. (Psst: they’re great for covering up in a skirt or dress!)

- Wear the right shoes. Let’s face it: peep-toes and ballet flats are cute, but they’re not practical in cold, wet weather. Booties are great if you don’t have snow to worry about but just don’t want to wear open shoes (pair them with tights under a skirt). If it’s cold and wet where you live, invest in a great pair of knee-high flat boots. Riding boots are one of the most classic wardrobe items you can own, and they look fab with a pair of tucked-in skinny jeans. Added bonus: you can buy a pair roomy enough to accommodate thick winter socks!

So to help (and even save) the guilt of eating the 50th mince pie of the day, all you need is the perfect shapewear to smooth and sculpt our womanly curves. This is why lingerie brand Playtex has come to the rescue with their fabulous range of festive season shape wear.

Why wait to look slimmer when Playtex have the solution to give you an instant slimming effect?

Our Pure Control Shapewear is cleverly designed to make women feel slimmer and look up to one dress size smaller, whatever their shape. Invisible under clothes, this great shapewear range combines comfort with smart design. The Pure Control range also features slimming technology including Powernet lining to ensure strong support and gathering to provide shapely contours.

Furthermore our three-step flat zig zag stiching ensures invisibility and the silicone waistband guarantees it stays in place. The Playtex Pure Control range offers varying options of high-level support for the tummy, bottom and thigh areas.

Pure Control Maxi
This is the perfect choice for an instantly slimming effect on the tummy, bottom and hips. With satin-like fabric and strong all over elastic. RRP £26.50

Pure Control Waistliner
The silicone waistband and three-step zig-zag stitching on the Pure Control Waistliner ensure hip and tummy areas are flattened to give a noticeably slimmer silhouette. RRP £30.50

Pure Control High Waist Long Leg
For the dream package in control underwear, the High Waist Long Leg tackles all three-problem areas in one, combining satin-like fabric with silicone waistband and three-step zig-zag stitching. RRP £35.50

Available in both black and skin tones the Pure Control range means looking amazing has never been more comfortable. Playtex Pure Control is available now in all good lingerie stores, independent retailers and online.

1.) A good leather purse.

One of the best fashion investments you can make is purchasing a quality leather purse. A leather purse is a fashion accessory that is worth saving for to get the best one. There is nothing quite as bad as having a purse that is torn or can easily break with the wrong move.

When you invest in a leather purse you are investing into your future and you will have little worry about it breaking down on you. Also, you won’t have to be concerned with spending your hard-earned savings on another one.

2.) A great suit.

Another great fashion investment is a great suit. Everyone needs a great suit in their closet. This suit should be one that speaks for you when you walk into a room. This means it should command the interviewer’s and other people’s attention.

This fashion investment shouldn’t cost more than $200, so it won’t hurt your savings. Plus, if you find a great sale, you can get be a part of some extra savings and put the additional money away.

3.) A quality pair of dress shoes.

You can’t have a great closet without a really nice pair of dress shoes. Having at least one pair of really nice dress shoes is a fashion investment you can’t live without.

The dress shoes have to be good quality shoes that aren’t too uncomfortable and have just the right hint of attractiveness and class. To do this you will have to take your time and really look for a shoe that you like and that works with the clothes you already have.

4.) A nice fitted pair of slacks.

There is no doubt that having a nice fitted pair of slacks makes a difference when you walk into a room and present yourself to others. Although it may seem like slacks come a dime a dozen, they don’t.

Not all slacks are made the same way and different manufacturers cut slacks differently. This fashion investment is something you really have to take your time to look for, but it will be worth it in the end. Once you find a company that makes the right pair of nice fitting slacks that you like, stick with them and save time and money.

4.) A good blazer.

Although a good blazer is last on the fashion investment list, it is definitely not least. A good blazer will carry you through the years, especially if you have one that is a solid color such as black and has a great fit. You can use this blazer at the office or when you go out on the town.

It is definitely wise to get the best savings everywhere you can, but when it comes to these five items, you need to spend the money to get the best in the beginning. Doing this will help you to avoid spending too much money in years to come.

1.The fall collection from LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl’s is available in stores and many of the pieces are already on sale (like a $70 blazer for $45). It’s a wearable, girly, youthful (but not too trendy) mix of dresses, separates, shoes, and accessories that could easily move from the workweek to the weekend. All of the pieces are under $100, and new styles will continue to roll in through September and October.

2. Also at Kohl’s is the new collection from Jennifer Lopez, launching September 7th and inspired by her glamourous Hollywood style. The apparel, accesories, and home goods are all under $200 and include sexy staples like platform pumps, minidresses, and luxe-looking handbags. New pieces will continue to arrive all fall.

3. The Kardashian Kollection from Sears is the work of Kourtney, Kim, and Khloe, and includes apparel and accessories. Already available online, the collection offers party-ready minis; a few separates and office-ready pieces; glitzy, chunky jewelry; and a few black handbags and shoes. Most of the pieces are well under $100, so if you want to shop their style on a budget, this is a good place to start.

4. Brian Atwood whose pricey footwear is well-loved by celebs like Olivia Wilde and Mila Kunis brings a lower-priced line of shoes to Saks Fith Avenue, with sexy pumps, strappy sandals, and fall boots for $200 to $600. It’s all available now at www.saksfifthavenue.com.

5. Celebrity Stylist Rachel Zoe known for dressing stars like Nicole Richie brings her boho-chic glamour to Saks Fifth Avenue. Most of the items are in the $150 to $500 range, with a few running as high as $1000. The enormous collection is live online and includes a great mix of pieces for work and play, many of which will make great multi-season investments.

1. A colorful clutch. From high-end (think Givenchy and Fendi) to low-end (American Apparel and Urban Outfitters), roomy clutches in eye-popping hues are on-trend this season. They look great with everything from a LBD to your favorite jeans-and-tee combo. Try one in peacock blue, mustard, jade, or rust all hot colors for fall 2011!

2. Snakeskin. Real or fake, this perennial staple is popping up on clutches and shoes alike. You can find it in an array of colors, too!

3. Plaid. Another perennial favorite! Get it on flats to look especially trendy, or choose a handbag for a more classic take on the pattern.

4. Feathered jewelry. Whether you choose earrings made with synthetic feathers, or jewelry made of cast metal (such as gold), feathered jewelry is very fall 2011 and you can choose anything from delicate pieces to bold statement items, so there really is something here for everyone. You can find everything feathered this season, including earrings, pendants, brooches, bracelets, and rings.

5. Anything jade or peacock blue. Every season there comes one or two bright colors that suddenly show up everywhere. This season, you can look for everything in jade green or peacock blue: bags, clutches, shoes, belts, jewelry, you name it, you got it. Use these colors to spice up your neutrals or anything black, or get really daring and mix with other brights.

6. Frothy shoes! You know it’s a serious trend when high-end designers like Alexander Wang jump on board: feathered, jeweled, and fuzzy-adorned shoes make an entrance this fall. Save these shoes for evening engagements, since their over-the-top design can seem costumey during daylight hours. The best part about such fabulous footwear? The rest of your outfit can be super-basic, and you’ll still look dressed-up.

Who’s ready to go shopping? There are several big fashion trends you should know about for fall 2011. Scope them out below, then watch for them when you hit the mall.

After seasons of skinny jeans, designers are finally ready for a new silhouette, so look for flared or bell-bottom jeans and trousers to return to store shelves. These look great paired with a wedge heel another big trend! which gives you all the height of a heel without the pain and pinched toes.

Also in the pants department, colored pants will probably return as a trend this year. They’re great paired with a neural top, instead of the same old “blue jeans and a white tee” combo. Not sure what colors to pick? Look for shades of rust, mustard, and jade green, three hot hues for autumn.

Need a top to go with that? Chunky sweaters so snuggle-ready for chilly nights will be hip again this year. Remember to look for a knit that is chunky but drapey so it doesn’t add a visual 10 pounds!

Plaid is a bit of a perennial pick for autumn, and this year is no exception. Try it in unexpected ways, like on a handbag or pair of shoes. Polka dots are also returning and can be worked into your outfit on accessories to avoid a Minnie Mouse effect.

Peplum silhouettes which nip in at the waist and flare out again at the hips appear on dresses and coats alike. This tends to be one of those come-and-go trends, so look for inexpensive pieces to get your fix.

Finally, this fall sees a polished version of lace cropping up on clothes, bags, shoes, and more. This trend was hot last fall as well, so you can break out last year’s finds and re-wear them: instant recessionista chic!

So, if you’re interested in carrying the maxi skirt trend through August and into September, there are a few tips and tricks you’ll want to know:

Balance is key. Yes, all that fabric can seem daunting, but when paired with a tank top, it’s easier to maintain a good ratio of volume to visible skin. When it’s cooler, you’ll need to stick to body-hugging tops to avoid looking like you’re drowning in your clothes.

A slinky long-sleeved wrap top, a fitted jacket, or a hip-length sweater (close-fitting but not skin-tight) are all great options. Anything super-loose or super-long is not okay. You can also add a little definition in there by belting or tucking in a top.

Your shoes are important. You probably paired your maxi skirts with flat sandals during the summer; during the fall, switch to flats or flat boots. Booties can look awkward with the length, and cowgirl-style boots should be worn with caution with some styles to avoid any “Little House on the Prairie” comparisons.

You don’t have to ditch the crazy prints for fall! Many of summer’s maxi skirts featured wild colors and prints, many with a distinctly ethnic or hobo feel. Toning them down for fall is as easy as pairing them with neutral colors and accessories, like a denim jacket.

You can also make these skirts look less beachy by paring them with your more structured fall accessories, like a chunky leather shoulder bag or statement earrings, as opposed to the lightweight bags and jewelery that normally dominate during the summer months.

If you’re a stylist looking for the hottest new designer dresses, then Far Fetch has everything you could wish for and more. You’ll find a luxe selection of dresses from all the big-name designers you’ve seen on the runway, from A-Z; there are literally thousands of items to browse through, so make sure you’ve got some free time before you click your way over to the site, because you’re in for a serious case of luxury clothing envy.

Case in point: an emerald green cut-out shoulder dress from Jay Godfrey ($325), which looks a little like a mid-thigh daytime version of that sparkling green Versace stunner Angelina Jolie wore to the 2011 Golden Globes.

Or perhaps you need something seriously formal, even Oscar-worthy. How about a silk gown from Gucci, or a black ruched evening gown from Oscar de la Renta? Whether you’re walking the red carpet or only pretending, you’ll find many designer dresses to play out your most glamorous fantasy.

Of course, you don’t have to be glamming it up bigtime. You could pass for a long-lost Kardashian sister in an asymmetric shirred gray dress from Halston Heritage, or go from office-appropriate to cocktail-ready in a pink sleeveless Giambattista Valli floral dress.

And if the LBD is your BFF, then you’ll especially love this site. From fitted to flared, halter to long-sleeved, slinky to classy, there’s a little black something here to suit your taste.

While you’re browsing, treat yourself and check out the extensive selection of Far Fetch accessories, jewellery, and shoes. After all, without the finishing touches, that dress is just another item in your closet!