Supplement with Less Expensive Trendy Pieces

Shop for designer clothes at discount retailers like Ross, Marshall's, Loehmann's and TJ Maxx. These stores are good places to look for your essential items, but also great places to find some unique, trendy pieces to jazz up the essentials. Find a cool sequined top to pair with your jeans and black heels and you are ready for a night on the town.

Other places to find hip yet inexpensive clothes are stores like H&M, Forever 21 and Target. These stores have low prices, and their designers are always on top of the latest trends.

Also shop the sale racks at department stores. Check out thrift stores and consignment shops, too. These can be treasure troves of never-worn, or seldom-worn designer clothes.

Accessorize

Accessories can spruce up any outfit and they don't need to be expensive. Wear small pearl earrings and a necklace with your black dress during the day at the office. At night, swap the earrings for big gold hoops. Add some bangle bracelets and a funky bag, and you can head out for dinner with friends.

Look for costume jewelry and other accessories at the stores mentioned above. H&M, Marshall's, TJ Maxx and Target have big accessory departments. Another place to find accessories is eBay, especially if you're looking for a good deal on a designer purse. Sometimes carrying a brand name bag will give your entire outfit a boost in terms of perceived expense and sophistication.