A Guide to Buying Wardrobe Essentials

One way or the other, you have to spend some amount of your hard-earned money on your wardrobe (you can't walk around with no clothes on, after all). But figuring out which pieces to save on and which are worth the investment can be a tricky financial path to navigate. While it's tempting to throw out axioms like "spend on basics, save on trends!" the truth is that it's not actually that simple. There are basics you actually want to save on, and there may be a trend or two that are well worth the splurge. To give you the most bang for your buck, we broke things down by category, and asked experts to weigh in with their opinions.

T-Shirt

Save or spend? Save.

Experts say: Save on tees because "you wear them close to your skin, so you wash them more, and they don't have that long of a shelf life," says Mary Lou Andre, a Boston-based wardrobe consultant and the author of Ready to Wear: An Expert's Guide to Choosing and Using Your Wardrobe ($20, amazon.com). Plus, white ones usually lose the fight with underarm-perspiration marks. "Go for a good fit first and for fabric that doesn't look flimsy," says Kendall Farr, a stylist and the author of The Pocket Stylist: Behind-the-Scenes Expertise from a Fashion Pro on Creating Your Own Look ($21, amazon.com). "Both of these criteria can be accomplished at good prices."

Jeans
Save or spend? Spend.

Experts say: Jeans might have been created for miners and manual laborers, but today you can wear them everywhere―in the backyard when you rake leaves, to work, and to dinner with friends. Splurge on one or two good pairs, suggests Farr. Premium denim has an attractive dark wash and the right amount of stretch and should fit better than a cheaper pair. Consider hemming one pair for flat shoes and another for heels, says Farr.


Hosiery

Save or spend? Save.

Experts say: Hosiery will run. That $40 pair may take a little longer to ladder, but in winter especially, you're usually better off buying multiple pairs of cheaper tights than one or two pairs of expensive ones, says New York-based image consultant Annie Brumbaugh. If you can afford it, expensive hosiery does "fit great, feel great, and hold up well," says Brumbaugh. But if you're looking for a place to save, skip the deluxe version and buy a few cheap pairs.


Bra
Save or spend? Spend.

Experts say: Bras are a good investment item because they can affect your overall look, says fashion mentor Tim Gunn. Focus on the fit. "A great bra can make a 5- to 10-pound difference in your appearance," says Amanda Sanders, a New York-based image consultant. "The bigger your bust, the more important the fit is. If you have a smaller chest, a quality bra can make the most of what you have."


Gym Clothes

Save or spend? Spend.

Experts say: The great thing about gym clothes: Even if you choose to buy the best (instead of sweating in a ratty old T-shirt), you won't necessarily burn a hole in your wallet. You can find quality gym clothes at reasonable prices, and the pieces will most likely last for years to come. "Invest in something functional," advises Brumbaugh. Be sure that the outfit feels flattering. "When you look good in your workout clothes," says Brumbaugh, "you're more inclined to work out." But don't overdo it: A great pair of pants and a couple of tops will do the trick.

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