Now’s an excellent time to stock up on high quality basics like these wide-leg wool trousers from MaxStudio.

Made out of stretch wool gabardine, they’ll look sharp for years to come!

Sale price: $68 (54% off the list price of $148)

I’m far from a beauty snob. In fact, I’m kind of a sucker for cheap eye shadows and lip glosses. However, there is one area of my beauty regimen where I won’t sacrifice quality: makeup brushes.

No, great brushes won’t turn you into a makeup artist overnight. However, having a great set of brushes will save you time and money, not to mention frustration. And with proper care they’ll last for years.

I won’t kid you; good…

Pencil skirts are a favorite style for women who love to accentuate their curves a la Marilyn Monroe. This is a style where quality is especially important, though. Thin cloth and poorly sewn seams are easy to spot. Fortunately, you can find skirts that are priced cheap without looking cheap.

This XOXO pencil skirt is now only $9.99, marked down from $29.98, and it got rave reviews from Amazon users who called it “the perfect pencil skirt”…

Summer break is just about over and even this college grad is looking forward to taking a class or two this fall.  After all, it gives me a great excuse to do a little back-to-school shopping.  Who says you can’t be a nerd and love fashion?

As you update your wardrobe for the upcoming semester, don’t neglect the workhorse of scholastic accessories: the backpack.  This Leader of the Pack zip around backpack from Tignanello combines form, function, and…

As extensive as my shoe collection is, there’s one type of footwear that’s pretty uncommon among the bunch: shoes bought at full price.

Yes, it takes a really great pair of shoes for me to justify paying full price, but earlier this year I bought the AK Anne Klein Impress flats after drooling over photos and reading rave reviews. Fortunately, I’ve been nothing but impressed with their comfort and quality. They also still look good as…

Tested over millennia, pearls are the epitome of classic style.  But while a simple strand of pearls is always elegant, there’s still plenty of room to play up the glamor.  With high quality simulated pearls, you can do it without a Hollywood salary.

No, this definitely isn’t some dime store trinket.  This triple strand Tzarina bracelet from 1928 Jewelry is a stunning piece that will have people wondering if its a family heirloom.  Though it’s luxe enough…

An elegant occasion calls for equally elegant jewelry. Crystal jewelry is a great choice if you aren’t loaded but don’t want to settle for itty bitty gemstones, but frankly, most of the costume jewelry options out there are marketed more to indiscriminate teens than adults with a keen eye for both quality and style.

That’s why I’m so happy to come across a piece so gorgeous but inexpensive as this crystal drop necklace from 1928 Jewelry. It…

It’s hard to go wrong buying high quality, basic pieces in solid colors — like this ribbed tank top from American Apparel.

The accessorizing options are endless, but layering is where you can really get funky with pieces like this. Wear two at once, add a trendy vest, or even use one like a sweater vest over another top, especially as it cools into fall.

With 17 colors to choose from at just $7.49 each (down from $22),…

Sure, cheap sunglasses can let you experiment with shutter shades and other summer fads without breaking your budget. However, if you’re serious about protecting your eyesight (or just want to look luxe for less), then I recommend splurging a bit for a quality pair that you and your eyes will love for years to come.

These oversize Gucci sunglasses provide 100% UVA/UVB protection to protect your eyes and delicate eye area from the sun’s harmful rays all year…

Leather is durable and versatile, so it’s still the material for high quality bags. A well made leather bag can last for many years; easily better value than cheap bags that literally come apart at the seams within months.

Fortunately, you don’t have to spend a fortune for a great leather bag from a well known designer.

For a big bag with a lot of polish, check out this ‘Shine of Your Life’ bucket handbag from Kenneth Cole…