“We used to put odor-eaters in the soles of our shoes,” says Ingrid Johnson, “But what about socks that eliminate odor?” Just as the ability exists to put moisture-emitting “nano-whiskers” into fabric, we can also put nano-sized odor eliminating materials into fabric. According to Ingrid, athletic wear companies have already begun experimenting with this and Brooks Brothers and Hanes have introduced “odor-control” underwear. “We are at the beginning of this funnel,” says Ingrid, who believes that one day smelly locker rooms will be a thing of the past.

Much like odor-zapping socks, bacteria-zapping underwear could mark the future of lingerie and the end to icky urinary tract and yeast infections. “Using nano-technology, we could embed fabric with anti-microbial nano-fibers to stop infection and fungal growth,” says Gindy Neidermyer, Program Director and Associate Professor of Apparel Design and Development for University of Wisconsin-Scout. A Chilean company, Monarch, has recently developed underwear made from copper nano-fibers. According to a Monarch press release, “copper can kill the bacteria and fungi that develops down there.”

“Researchers are already experimenting with electronic textiles,” says Gindy Neidermyer. “One day we might not have to plug our cell phones into the wall to charge it. Instead it might charge in our pocket through solar power or from the conductive energy of nano-fibers. “I know a researcher who created a garment that knows where you are and tells you whether to turn right or left,” says Van Dyk Lewis, associate professor in the Human Ecology -- Fiber Science and Apparel Design at Cornell. “Future applications could be GPS embedded in your clothing. You’d program where you want to go and your garment vibrates when you need to make a turn.” However Van Dyk says before we see it on the market, scientists will have to study if this would be harmful to the human body. “Researchers tend to develop things, then think about the physiology after,” he says.

“Spray-on clothing has become quite a field, especially in Europe,” says Gindy Neidermyer. “It’s touted as the ultimate custom fit. It’s basically in a can and the fiber mats together when you spray it, instead of needing to be woven.” Gindy says while the spray-on clothing is a developed technology, there are major kinks that need to be worked out before it is marketable. “As is, you have to wash it off and you can’t reuse it,” says Gindy. “Culturally I’m not sure this would have any more than a spectacle factor. When I wear clothes, I want to feel like I’m cocooned or enveloped in some kind of way. Also, what if it rains? What if it’s cold outside?” adds Ingrid. “It’s a nice idea but I don’t think we’ll see that for a few centuries...” says Van Dyk Lewis.

“If you told me I could have a suit in an office-appropriate color such as navy during the day and it turned red at night, I’d buy it,” says Ingrid Johnson. While scientifically, we are not quite there, textile designers have experimented with clothing for years that changes colors. “There was a line for kids called Hyper-color sold in Bloomingdales in 1988. It changed color where your body was warmer. When people realized it was changing colors in the armpit and crotch area, it was immediately pulled,” says Ingrid. “Freaky Freezies were popular children’s gloves in the 80s,” she says. “They changed color when the temperature changed.” According to Gindy Neidermyer, color-change in fabrics isn’t new, but one company Chameleon International has a new way of applying it. “It’s a finish you spray on. “I could see it having medical applications, used to analyze where a body is changing temperature. As a clothing designer I might use it for a rain coat. The fabric would change color as the rain hit it creating a rainbow-esque design.” Van Dyk Lewis thinks color-changing clothing is “gimmicky.” “I don’t think this one’s got legs. The finish doesn’t look terribly good (it doesn’t create true colors) and for a garment that changes color from day to night, I’m not sure how you’d establish permanent color.”

“Imagine if you flicked a switch on your garment to provide air conditioning and heating,” says Gindy Neidermyer. “Moisture-wicking fabric already exists, it’s made out of polyester and wicks the perspiration away to keep you comfortable and cooler. Taking this a step further, using nano-technology you could create a walking environment where you’d actually feel the warmth or coolness.” Gindy says working with silver, you could create a conductive nano-fiber that could be charged to heat up or cool down. “It would be like your home’s heating and air conditioning but built into your clothes,” she says.

“People hold onto tradition,” says Van Dyk Lewis. “We are still stuck on traditional clothing pieces, the idea that we need a suit, a jacket, a shirt, pants to make up a wardrobe... If we can break through this and free ourselves from the sewing machine there are endless new possibilities.” At Cornell, Van Dyk says students use a new machine called a Sonobond, which uses sound waves to meld materials together. “If we were to design a cutting-edge wardrobe now, it would be bonded not stitched. We are no longer tied to patterns,” Van Dyk says. He predicts a resurgence in reversible clothing, which was popular in the late 60s. “Its not new, but we are better at doing it,” says Van Dyk. “Modern fabric and machines like the Sonobond make reversible garments look almost seamless.”

“We used to put odor-eaters in the soles of our shoes,” says Ingrid Johnson, “But what about socks that eliminate odor?” Just as the ability exists to put moisture-emitting “nano-whiskers” into fabric, we can also put nano-sized odor eliminating materials into fabric. According to Ingrid, athletic wear companies have already begun experimenting with this and Brooks Brothers and Hanes have introduced “odor-control” underwear. “We are at the beginning of this funnel,” says Ingrid, who believes that one day smelly locker rooms will be a thing of the past.

Much like odor-zapping socks, bacteria-zapping underwear could mark the future of lingerie and the end to icky urinary tract and yeast infections. “Using nano-technology, we could embed fabric with anti-microbial nano-fibers to stop infection and fungal growth,” says Gindy Neidermyer, Program Director and Associate Professor of Apparel Design and Development for University of Wisconsin-Scout. A Chilean company, Monarch, has recently developed underwear made from copper nano-fibers. According to a Monarch press release, “copper can kill the bacteria and fungi that develops down there.”

“Researchers are already experimenting with electronic textiles,” says Gindy Neidermyer. “One day we might not have to plug our cell phones into the wall to charge it. Instead it might charge in our pocket through solar power or from the conductive energy of nano-fibers. “I know a researcher who created a garment that knows where you are and tells you whether to turn right or left,” says Van Dyk Lewis, associate professor in the Human Ecology -- Fiber Science and Apparel Design at Cornell. “Future applications could be GPS embedded in your clothing. You’d program where you want to go and your garment vibrates when you need to make a turn.” However Van Dyk says before we see it on the market, scientists will have to study if this would be harmful to the human body. “Researchers tend to develop things, then think about the physiology after,” he says.

“Spray-on clothing has become quite a field, especially in Europe,” says Gindy Neidermyer. “It’s touted as the ultimate custom fit. It’s basically in a can and the fiber mats together when you spray it, instead of needing to be woven.” Gindy says while the spray-on clothing is a developed technology, there are major kinks that need to be worked out before it is marketable. “As is, you have to wash it off and you can’t reuse it,” says Gindy. “Culturally I’m not sure this would have any more than a spectacle factor. When I wear clothes, I want to feel like I’m cocooned or enveloped in some kind of way. Also, what if it rains? What if it’s cold outside?” adds Ingrid. “It’s a nice idea but I don’t think we’ll see that for a few centuries...” says Van Dyk Lewis.

“If you told me I could have a suit in an office-appropriate color such as navy during the day and it turned red at night, I’d buy it,” says Ingrid Johnson. While scientifically, we are not quite there, textile designers have experimented with clothing for years that changes colors. “There was a line for kids called Hyper-color sold in Bloomingdales in 1988. It changed color where your body was warmer. When people realized it was changing colors in the armpit and crotch area, it was immediately pulled,” says Ingrid. “Freaky Freezies were popular children’s gloves in the 80s,” she says. “They changed color when the temperature changed.” According to Gindy Neidermyer, color-change in fabrics isn’t new, but one company Chameleon International has a new way of applying it. “It’s a finish you spray on. “I could see it having medical applications, used to analyze where a body is changing temperature. As a clothing designer I might use it for a rain coat. The fabric would change color as the rain hit it creating a rainbow-esque design.” Van Dyk Lewis thinks color-changing clothing is “gimmicky.” “I don’t think this one’s got legs. The finish doesn’t look terribly good (it doesn’t create true colors) and for a garment that changes color from day to night, I’m not sure how you’d establish permanent color.”

“Imagine if you flicked a switch on your garment to provide air conditioning and heating,” says Gindy Neidermyer. “Moisture-wicking fabric already exists, it’s made out of polyester and wicks the perspiration away to keep you comfortable and cooler. Taking this a step further, using nano-technology you could create a walking environment where you’d actually feel the warmth or coolness.” Gindy says working with silver, you could create a conductive nano-fiber that could be charged to heat up or cool down. “It would be like your home’s heating and air conditioning but built into your clothes,” she says.

“People hold onto tradition,” says Van Dyk Lewis. “We are still stuck on traditional clothing pieces, the idea that we need a suit, a jacket, a shirt, pants to make up a wardrobe... If we can break through this and free ourselves from the sewing machine there are endless new possibilities.” At Cornell, Van Dyk says students use a new machine called a Sonobond, which uses sound waves to meld materials together. “If we were to design a cutting-edge wardrobe now, it would be bonded not stitched. We are no longer tied to patterns,” Van Dyk says. He predicts a resurgence in reversible clothing, which was popular in the late 60s. “Its not new, but we are better at doing it,” says Van Dyk. “Modern fabric and machines like the Sonobond make reversible garments look almost seamless.”

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.”

War had a bombastic effect on lingerie marketing. Military terminology such as “torpedo” and “bullet” was used to profit from patriotism and to introduce the concept of undergarments as 'protection'. Pointy, cone-shaped undergarments rose to popularity with Hollywood stars who wore them, including Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell, and Lana Turner. The bra gave rise to "Sweater Girl" look, because of the way that sweaters clung to the shape of the bra and accentuated a woman's assets.

The 1960s brought a new wave of feminism that countered the domesticity of the 50s. Women wanted to distance themselves from the role of wife and mother, and consequently androgynous style surfaced again. This look is best embodied by Twiggy, the stick-thin model who became an overnight icon. During this era of female liberation, the role of the bra was called into question, with some arguing that bras reduced women to sex objects. Feminist Germaine Greer stated that "bras are a ludicrous invention," and some women went as far to proclaim them as "instruments of torture.” At least one instance of bra burning was recorded in the 60s and 70s.

In the 1980s, silicone breast implants became popular when former Baywatch babe and Playmate, Pamela Anderson became one of the first models to flaunt her surgical enhancements. Buxom babes (or full-figured women) became the ideal for beauty, with busty models such as Christie Brinkley featured on major magazine covers. Victoria’s Secret, known for it’s sexy bras and busty models, expanded into U.S. malls in the 80s and by the end of the decade, became the largest American lingerie retailer, topping one billion dollars.

On one hand, the “Wonderbra” was introduced in the early 90s, gaining worldwide fame and starting a craze for the push up look. On the other hand, the waif look also emerged, with support-less underwear such as seamless bras and silky camis rising to popularity. “By the 1990s, lady bits were out and stick-thin was in,” according to Marisa Amorasak of BreastAugmentationResources.com. “The ultra-busty look faded while Kate Moss’ waif look gained popularity.”

“Believable Bodaciousness” is the current model for cleavage. “It doesn’t seem to matter if breasts are real or fake, as long as they don’t scream plastic” writes Marisa Amorasak of BreastAugmentationResources.com. “Think Kim Kardashian, Jessica Alba, Blake Lively, and Fergie.” In line with this trend, bra manufacturers continue to search for new fabrics and technologies to make bras mold to a woman’s natural shape while enhancing their assets.

War had a bombastic effect on lingerie marketing. Military terminology such as “torpedo” and “bullet” was used to profit from patriotism and to introduce the concept of undergarments as 'protection'. Pointy, cone-shaped undergarments rose to popularity with Hollywood stars who wore them, including Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell, and Lana Turner. The bra gave rise to "Sweater Girl" look, because of the way that sweaters clung to the shape of the bra and accentuated a woman's assets.

The 1960s brought a new wave of feminism that countered the domesticity of the 50s. Women wanted to distance themselves from the role of wife and mother, and consequently androgynous style surfaced again. This look is best embodied by Twiggy, the stick-thin model who became an overnight icon. During this era of female liberation, the role of the bra was called into question, with some arguing that bras reduced women to sex objects. Feminist Germaine Greer stated that "bras are a ludicrous invention," and some women went as far to proclaim them as "instruments of torture.” At least one instance of bra burning was recorded in the 60s and 70s.

In the 1980s, silicone breast implants became popular when former Baywatch babe and Playmate, Pamela Anderson became one of the first models to flaunt her surgical enhancements. Buxom babes (or full-figured women) became the ideal for beauty, with busty models such as Christie Brinkley featured on major magazine covers. Victoria’s Secret, known for it’s sexy bras and busty models, expanded into U.S. malls in the 80s and by the end of the decade, became the largest American lingerie retailer, topping one billion dollars.

On one hand, the “Wonderbra” was introduced in the early 90s, gaining worldwide fame and starting a craze for the push up look. On the other hand, the waif look also emerged, with support-less underwear such as seamless bras and silky camis rising to popularity. “By the 1990s, lady bits were out and stick-thin was in,” according to Marisa Amorasak of BreastAugmentationResources.com. “The ultra-busty look faded while Kate Moss’ waif look gained popularity.”

“Believable Bodaciousness” is the current model for cleavage. “It doesn’t seem to matter if breasts are real or fake, as long as they don’t scream plastic” writes Marisa Amorasak of BreastAugmentationResources.com. “Think Kim Kardashian, Jessica Alba, Blake Lively, and Fergie.” In line with this trend, bra manufacturers continue to search for new fabrics and technologies to make bras mold to a woman’s natural shape while enhancing their assets.