Watches– “I used to only wear designer watches, but now I like wearing inexpensive, bigger, sporty watches during the day,” says FOF style guru Linda Cohen. “They are more fun, last a long time, and I am not concerned if I want to work out and wear it. My tortoise shell watch by Geneva ($29.99 at overstock.com) gets more compliments than my Hermes watch!”

Tights — “Tights should be low-cost. They simply keep you warm and add unexpected texture and/or color to your outfit,” says FOF style guru Glenyse G. Thompson of styleosophy.com. “I stock up on them in spring when they go on sale. You can barely tell the difference between these floral tights by Falke ($44 at barenecessities.com) and these by Hue ($18 at barenecessities.com).

Jute Rugs – “When it comes to rugs, I prefer to change them out every few years instead of worrying about stains,” says FOF interior design guru Helen Kenney Poore. “I love jute rugs the best, they’re inexpensive and care free. I get them from Classic Concepts, Global Home, The Scented Garden, Tuesday Morning or Rugsusa.com. For a 4×6 size I spend around $150; for a 6×9 around $275.00; and for a 8×10, I spend no more then $350.”

Nail Polish — “The manufacturers of drugstore nail polishes like Sally Hansen often imitate the colors that higher-end nail polish lines like Chanel put out,” says Kari Solynjtes of beauty blog, Faboverforty.com. “A high-end nail polish will run you about $25 per bottle. Drug store brands cost at least 2/3 less and the staying power is just as good, if not better.”

Bras from H&M — “As far as bras go, I am a big snob,” says FOF style guru Lovey Dash. “But, here’s a secret, not all H&M stores carry lingerie, but the ones that do have bras that fit like La Perla. The colors and the lace these bras come in are divine. They don’t last as long as La Perla bras, but for $9.95 who cares?!” (starting at $9.95 on hm.com)

Canned food — “I don’t buy canned or packaged goods often, but when I do, I rarely buy the name brand,” says FOF chef and cookbook author Julia della Croce (Italian Home Cooking: 125 Recipes to Comfort Your Soul, Kyle Books, 2010). “Most store brands package the exact product as the pricey labels do, at a significantly lower price.”

Curtains – “Walmart has lined ‘silk’ curtains (starting at $13.96 from walmart.com) that look just like ones they sell at Pottery Barn for $50 per panel,” says FOF interior design guru Beth Gwazdosky. “I know this, because I bought the curtains at Pottery Barn and needed a side-door panel to match. I found it at Walmart and it’s hard to tell the difference.”

Diamond hoops — “Accessories are so important,” says FOF style guru Lovey Dash. “I would never think of wearing a knock-off designer bag but, give me a pair of fake diamond hoops any day! I bought my first pair at the beauty supply store. They looked so real, so delicate and they were only $16. I was getting so many compliments so I bought them in every size — yellow gold, white gold, OMG! I’ve even found them for as low as $4!”

Pashmina scarves — According to FOF style expert Sandra Soich you don’t need to spend $800 to get the look of a luxe, cashmere scarf. “I buy beautiful, bright colored pashminas on the street and wear them as an accent.”

Indian-inspired bangles — “I collect wonderful Indian-inspired bangles from street vendors,” says FOF style expert Sandra Soich. “I’m not big on jewelry, but when I see these bracelets in so many colors, I buy them to perk things up a bit.”

Cleaning products — “I buy my dishwashing liquid, vinegar, bleach and window cleaner at the dollar store — it works fine for me!” says FOF image consultant and personal shopper, Helen Perry. “I don’t buy laundry detergent at the dollar store though, my clothes get treated better than dishes, windows and toilets!”

Eye makeup — “No one knows what brand you are wearing on your eyes,” says Tracy Brown of the BlingingBeauty blog. “Try L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara ($7.25 on lorealparisusa.com). “It’s in the bags of professional makeup artists and mimics mascara used on the runways. NYX eye colors ($2.99 and up at NYXcosmetics.com) are dead ringers for pricier palettes and wear equally as well.”

Face cleanser – “How long do you cleanse your skin? 30 seconds? Opt to spend on a product that remains on your face for hours and has treatment properties,” says Tracy Brown of the BlingingBeauty blog. Shop the drugstore aisles when it comes to cleansers. Try Olay Regenerist Foaming Cleanser ($8.29 at target.com) or Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging cleanser ($8.29 at target.com).

Blouses from Zara – “Zara often does of-the-moment trends really well,” says FOF style expert Terry Gibralter. “You can immediately update your wardrobe with a few items and not spend a fortune. I recently bought two tops there — one was a snakeskin-print, floaty blouse with a tie neck, the other a gold lamé dolman sleeved sweater that gave my fall wardrobe an instant shot of cool.”

Lamps and lighting — “With the exception of very high end lighting, almost all lamps are imported, making it hard to distinguish between inexpensive and mid-level priced lamps, sconces, and pendants,” says FOF interior design guru Kristin Drohan. “Mid-priced lighting sources are equal in quality to much less expensive lamps I’ve purchased at HomeGoods. I have also found great, inexpensive sconces and pendants at Overstock. You can purchase a nice custom shade and put it on a Target lamp base and it will look like a million bucks.”

Clarisonic — “I thought I had good skin until someone convinced me to buy the Clarisonic Classic ($195 from clarisonic.com)It went from good to amazing in days,” says Kari Soljyntes of beauty blog, Faboverforty.com. “It’s like a Sonicare toothbrush for your face (it’s made by the same inventor!). It gets all the day's dirt and grime off your face and lightly exfoliates. When you use it, your other skincare products work so much better because they penetrate the skin deeper. It’s an investment for my skin!”

Whetstone and Honing Steel – “Imagine a carpenter trying to build something without good tools. It is not possible to do much cooking without well-sharpened knives,” says FOF chef and cookbook author Julia della Croce “You can buy a whetstone at Korin for $50 in Manhattan, and also from Williams-Sonoma (starting at $99.95). “I splurge on good chef’s knives, and on keeping them sharp, because I want cutting and chopping to be as easy, comfortable, and as pleasurable as possible,” agrees FOF chef and author Jill Silverman Hough, of the 100 Perfect Pairings cookbooks.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil — “You can make something as simple as baby zucchini taste beautiful with high quality, extra-virgin olive oil… a revelation! If you don’t cook with good olive oil your food will taste greasy,” says FOF chef and cookbook author Julia della Croce. When splurging, get an estate-bottled olive oil that has “DOP” (denominazione di origine protetta). This is a legal guarantee that the oil comes from the exact place stated on the label and is hand made. Try Frantoio Falconero, Frantoio Torre di Mezzo, Luccini or San Giuliano Alghero. (All available at Di Palo Fine Foods in New York, call 877-253-1779). Something else to keep in mind — the younger the oil is, the fresher and better it is; the older it gets, the more flavor it loses. Also, only buy olive oil in a clear glass bottle, never plastic.”

Coat –“A coat is one of the things people see first and you use everyday,” says FOF Style Guru Terry Gibralter. “If you have a smashing coat on, it doesn’t matter as much what’s under it. I splurge on coats by Burberry, Moncler, Hillary Radley and Max Mara.” FOF style guru Glenyse G. Thompson, of styleosophy.com, agrees. “A great topper is the prelude to a great outfit. Choose one you can make grand entrances in and that will keep you warm and toasty,” says “Talbot’s carries stunning coats, in a great range of sizes. This plaid topper ($289) is the BOMB! Also love the fitted Peggy coat (pictured above) by Rachel Roy ($209, temporarily sold out online, call 866-960-9919 for availability). She makes clothes for every size and for every style of woman. For a splurge that’s slightly less of a bank breaker, she suggests this one from Victoria’s Secret in deep plum ($168).

Salad Spinner – “Don’t buy pre-packaged, pre-washed lettuce. Buy a crisp head of lettuce and wash it yourself,” says FOF chef and cookbook author Julia della Croce. “Use a salad spinner for getting all the water off the leaves. I use this one by OXO ($49.99). It’s an excellent investment. It’ll cost a fraction of the price in the long run and the lettuce will be fresher and taste better than anything that has been trapped in a plastic bag for weeks.”

Scented Room Oils – “I despise those plug-in room scents,” says FOF Beauty Guru Kari Solynjtes, of beauty blog Faboverforty.com. “They smell like cheap plastic with a bad-flavored scent. Instead, spend a few dollars more for scented room oils (with the sticks in them) to give the room a more natural smell. Illume and Caldrea start around $30, and you can get brands like Alora for all the way up to $90+ .

Cashmere Sweaters – “There’s nothing more luxe or more wearable than a cashmere sweater to take you from the day into the evening,” says FOF style guru Sandra Soich. “Change the accessories a bit and you’ve got a whole new outfit. Plus, if you buy one that’s slightly pricier, it will last forever and won’t stretch out. My favorite is this cream color cashmere sweater ($495) that I found at Calypso last year.”

Foundation – “I always buy my foundation at a department store because you can test it, unlike drugstore brands,” says FOF Beauty Guru Kari Solynjtes of beauty blog, Faboverforty.com. “Also, it is the ‘foundation’ for the rest of your makeup — a good foundation makes whatever you put over it look and perform better.” FOF Beauty Guru Tracy Brown, of the BlingingBeauty blog, agrees. “As we age, our skin has so many more needs. Look for foundations that contain anti-aging properties such as Tarte ReCreate™ Anti-Aging Foundation With Wrinkle Rewind™ Technology SPF ($37 at tarte.comvapourbeauty.com).

Organic Meat/Sustainable Seafood — “The Italians have a saying, ‘Good with Good Makes Good.’ It’s that simple,” says FOF chef and cookbook author Julia della Croce. “I always buy organic meat. If I can’t find it, I make something else. For seafood, if it hasn’t come into fishmonger’s hands that day, I don’t buy it. Even if it does, it may not be fresh. Know your sources.” FOF cookbook author Jill Silverman Hough agrees. “I splurge by only buying really pristine, sustainable, traceable – and really expensive – seafood from the best fishmonger in town,” she says. “It tastes the best, yes, but also I’m committed to sustainability because I want to make sure I can keep eating really great seafood in the future.”

Tweezers — “I have had my Anastasia tweezers for years ($28 on anastasia.net) and use them all the time,” says FOF makeup artist Jennifer Snowdon. “They still grab and remove the tiniest hairs. Less expensive tweezers are made from a softer metal and over time loose their ‘squeeze’ as they bend with pressure.”

Dry cleaning and tailoring – “My tailor (Ahmed’s Custom Clothiers in Houston, Texas) does the alteration according to how the garment is made, instead of just following the seam line like a seamstress. They understand that taking in one seam may affect another panel of the garment,” says FOF image consultant and personal shopper, Helen Perry. “The hems are done by hand with cotton thread, not on a machine with nylon thread that easily pulls loose. My dry cleaner, Fashion Touch uses all green cleaning supplies and methods. It’s much less harsh than using chemicals which rob oils from the clothing and ultimately wear them out sooner.”

Fabric for your home — “Do not skimp on fabric. Buy high quality material for everything from upholstery and pillows to bedding.” says FOF interior design guru Kristin Drohan. “It will elevate everything else in the space. Cheap fabric is easy to recognize, will perform poorly on upholstery and bedding, and will look cheap on pillows. I use Highland Court, Lee Jofa, Osborne and Little, and Designers Guild for gorgeous fabrics.”

Watches– “I used to only wear designer watches, but now I like wearing inexpensive, bigger, sporty watches during the day,” says FOF style guru Linda Cohen. “They are more fun, last a long time, and I am not concerned if I want to work out and wear it. My tortoise shell watch by Geneva ($29.99 at overstock.com) gets more compliments than my Hermes watch!”

Tights — “Tights should be low-cost. They simply keep you warm and add unexpected texture and/or color to your outfit,” says FOF style guru Glenyse G. Thompson of styleosophy.com. “I stock up on them in spring when they go on sale. You can barely tell the difference between these floral tights by Falke ($44 at barenecessities.com) and these by Hue ($18 at barenecessities.com).

Jute Rugs – “When it comes to rugs, I prefer to change them out every few years instead of worrying about stains,” says FOF interior design guru Helen Kenney Poore. “I love jute rugs the best, they’re inexpensive and care free. I get them from Classic Concepts, Global Home, The Scented Garden, Tuesday Morning or Rugsusa.com. For a 4×6 size I spend around $150; for a 6×9 around $275.00; and for a 8×10, I spend no more then $350.”

Nail Polish — “The manufacturers of drugstore nail polishes like Sally Hansen often imitate the colors that higher-end nail polish lines like Chanel put out,” says Kari Solynjtes of beauty blog, Faboverforty.com. “A high-end nail polish will run you about $25 per bottle. Drug store brands cost at least 2/3 less and the staying power is just as good, if not better.”

Bras from H&M — “As far as bras go, I am a big snob,” says FOF style guru Lovey Dash. “But, here’s a secret, not all H&M stores carry lingerie, but the ones that do have bras that fit like La Perla. The colors and the lace these bras come in are divine. They don’t last as long as La Perla bras, but for $9.95 who cares?!” (starting at $9.95 on hm.com)

Canned food — “I don’t buy canned or packaged goods often, but when I do, I rarely buy the name brand,” says FOF chef and cookbook author Julia della Croce (Italian Home Cooking: 125 Recipes to Comfort Your Soul, Kyle Books, 2010). “Most store brands package the exact product as the pricey labels do, at a significantly lower price.”

Curtains – “Walmart has lined ‘silk’ curtains (starting at $13.96 from walmart.com) that look just like ones they sell at Pottery Barn for $50 per panel,” says FOF interior design guru Beth Gwazdosky. “I know this, because I bought the curtains at Pottery Barn and needed a side-door panel to match. I found it at Walmart and it’s hard to tell the difference.”

Diamond hoops — “Accessories are so important,” says FOF style guru Lovey Dash. “I would never think of wearing a knock-off designer bag but, give me a pair of fake diamond hoops any day! I bought my first pair at the beauty supply store. They looked so real, so delicate and they were only $16. I was getting so many compliments so I bought them in every size — yellow gold, white gold, OMG! I’ve even found them for as low as $4!”

Pashmina scarves — According to FOF style expert Sandra Soich you don’t need to spend $800 to get the look of a luxe, cashmere scarf. “I buy beautiful, bright colored pashminas on the street and wear them as an accent.”

Indian-inspired bangles — “I collect wonderful Indian-inspired bangles from street vendors,” says FOF style expert Sandra Soich. “I’m not big on jewelry, but when I see these bracelets in so many colors, I buy them to perk things up a bit.”

Cleaning products — “I buy my dishwashing liquid, vinegar, bleach and window cleaner at the dollar store — it works fine for me!” says FOF image consultant and personal shopper, Helen Perry. “I don’t buy laundry detergent at the dollar store though, my clothes get treated better than dishes, windows and toilets!”

Eye makeup — “No one knows what brand you are wearing on your eyes,” says Tracy Brown of the BlingingBeauty blog. “Try L’Oreal Voluminous Mascara ($7.25 on lorealparisusa.com). “It’s in the bags of professional makeup artists and mimics mascara used on the runways. NYX eye colors ($2.99 and up at NYXcosmetics.com) are dead ringers for pricier palettes and wear equally as well.”

Face cleanser – “How long do you cleanse your skin? 30 seconds? Opt to spend on a product that remains on your face for hours and has treatment properties,” says Tracy Brown of the BlingingBeauty blog. Shop the drugstore aisles when it comes to cleansers. Try Olay Regenerist Foaming Cleanser ($8.29 at target.com) or Total Effects 7-in-1 Anti-Aging cleanser ($8.29 at target.com).

Blouses from Zara – “Zara often does of-the-moment trends really well,” says FOF style expert Terry Gibralter. “You can immediately update your wardrobe with a few items and not spend a fortune. I recently bought two tops there — one was a snakeskin-print, floaty blouse with a tie neck, the other a gold lamé dolman sleeved sweater that gave my fall wardrobe an instant shot of cool.”

Lamps and lighting — “With the exception of very high end lighting, almost all lamps are imported, making it hard to distinguish between inexpensive and mid-level priced lamps, sconces, and pendants,” says FOF interior design guru Kristin Drohan. “Mid-priced lighting sources are equal in quality to much less expensive lamps I’ve purchased at HomeGoods. I have also found great, inexpensive sconces and pendants at Overstock. You can purchase a nice custom shade and put it on a Target lamp base and it will look like a million bucks.”

Clarisonic — “I thought I had good skin until someone convinced me to buy the Clarisonic Classic ($195 from clarisonic.com)It went from good to amazing in days,” says Kari Soljyntes of beauty blog, Faboverforty.com. “It’s like a Sonicare toothbrush for your face (it’s made by the same inventor!). It gets all the day's dirt and grime off your face and lightly exfoliates. When you use it, your other skincare products work so much better because they penetrate the skin deeper. It’s an investment for my skin!”

Whetstone and Honing Steel – “Imagine a carpenter trying to build something without good tools. It is not possible to do much cooking without well-sharpened knives,” says FOF chef and cookbook author Julia della Croce “You can buy a whetstone at Korin for $50 in Manhattan, and also from Williams-Sonoma (starting at $99.95). “I splurge on good chef’s knives, and on keeping them sharp, because I want cutting and chopping to be as easy, comfortable, and as pleasurable as possible,” agrees FOF chef and author Jill Silverman Hough, of the 100 Perfect Pairings cookbooks.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil — “You can make something as simple as baby zucchini taste beautiful with high quality, extra-virgin olive oil… a revelation! If you don’t cook with good olive oil your food will taste greasy,” says FOF chef and cookbook author Julia della Croce. When splurging, get an estate-bottled olive oil that has “DOP” (denominazione di origine protetta). This is a legal guarantee that the oil comes from the exact place stated on the label and is hand made. Try Frantoio Falconero, Frantoio Torre di Mezzo, Luccini or San Giuliano Alghero. (All available at Di Palo Fine Foods in New York, call 877-253-1779). Something else to keep in mind — the younger the oil is, the fresher and better it is; the older it gets, the more flavor it loses. Also, only buy olive oil in a clear glass bottle, never plastic.”

Coat –“A coat is one of the things people see first and you use everyday,” says FOF Style Guru Terry Gibralter. “If you have a smashing coat on, it doesn’t matter as much what’s under it. I splurge on coats by Burberry, Moncler, Hillary Radley and Max Mara.” FOF style guru Glenyse G. Thompson, of styleosophy.com, agrees. “A great topper is the prelude to a great outfit. Choose one you can make grand entrances in and that will keep you warm and toasty,” says “Talbot’s carries stunning coats, in a great range of sizes. This plaid topper ($289) is the BOMB! Also love the fitted Peggy coat (pictured above) by Rachel Roy ($209, temporarily sold out online, call 866-960-9919 for availability). She makes clothes for every size and for every style of woman. For a splurge that’s slightly less of a bank breaker, she suggests this one from Victoria’s Secret in deep plum ($168).

Salad Spinner – “Don’t buy pre-packaged, pre-washed lettuce. Buy a crisp head of lettuce and wash it yourself,” says FOF chef and cookbook author Julia della Croce. “Use a salad spinner for getting all the water off the leaves. I use this one by OXO ($49.99). It’s an excellent investment. It’ll cost a fraction of the price in the long run and the lettuce will be fresher and taste better than anything that has been trapped in a plastic bag for weeks.”

Scented Room Oils – “I despise those plug-in room scents,” says FOF Beauty Guru Kari Solynjtes, of beauty blog Faboverforty.com. “They smell like cheap plastic with a bad-flavored scent. Instead, spend a few dollars more for scented room oils (with the sticks in them) to give the room a more natural smell. Illume and Caldrea start around $30, and you can get brands like Alora for all the way up to $90+ .

Cashmere Sweaters – “There’s nothing more luxe or more wearable than a cashmere sweater to take you from the day into the evening,” says FOF style guru Sandra Soich. “Change the accessories a bit and you’ve got a whole new outfit. Plus, if you buy one that’s slightly pricier, it will last forever and won’t stretch out. My favorite is this cream color cashmere sweater ($495) that I found at Calypso last year.”

Foundation – “I always buy my foundation at a department store because you can test it, unlike drugstore brands,” says FOF Beauty Guru Kari Solynjtes of beauty blog, Faboverforty.com. “Also, it is the ‘foundation’ for the rest of your makeup — a good foundation makes whatever you put over it look and perform better.” FOF Beauty Guru Tracy Brown, of the BlingingBeauty blog, agrees. “As we age, our skin has so many more needs. Look for foundations that contain anti-aging properties such as Tarte ReCreate™ Anti-Aging Foundation With Wrinkle Rewind™ Technology SPF ($37 at tarte.comvapourbeauty.com).

Organic Meat/Sustainable Seafood — “The Italians have a saying, ‘Good with Good Makes Good.’ It’s that simple,” says FOF chef and cookbook author Julia della Croce. “I always buy organic meat. If I can’t find it, I make something else. For seafood, if it hasn’t come into fishmonger’s hands that day, I don’t buy it. Even if it does, it may not be fresh. Know your sources.” FOF cookbook author Jill Silverman Hough agrees. “I splurge by only buying really pristine, sustainable, traceable – and really expensive – seafood from the best fishmonger in town,” she says. “It tastes the best, yes, but also I’m committed to sustainability because I want to make sure I can keep eating really great seafood in the future.”

Tweezers — “I have had my Anastasia tweezers for years ($28 on anastasia.net) and use them all the time,” says FOF makeup artist Jennifer Snowdon. “They still grab and remove the tiniest hairs. Less expensive tweezers are made from a softer metal and over time loose their ‘squeeze’ as they bend with pressure.”

Dry cleaning and tailoring – “My tailor (Ahmed’s Custom Clothiers in Houston, Texas) does the alteration according to how the garment is made, instead of just following the seam line like a seamstress. They understand that taking in one seam may affect another panel of the garment,” says FOF image consultant and personal shopper, Helen Perry. “The hems are done by hand with cotton thread, not on a machine with nylon thread that easily pulls loose. My dry cleaner, Fashion Touch uses all green cleaning supplies and methods. It’s much less harsh than using chemicals which rob oils from the clothing and ultimately wear them out sooner.”

Fabric for your home — “Do not skimp on fabric. Buy high quality material for everything from upholstery and pillows to bedding.” says FOF interior design guru Kristin Drohan. “It will elevate everything else in the space. Cheap fabric is easy to recognize, will perform poorly on upholstery and bedding, and will look cheap on pillows. I use Highland Court, Lee Jofa, Osborne and Little, and Designers Guild for gorgeous fabrics.”