You’d think that the more money you spend on something, the better it’ll be – and the longer it’ll last. Especially when it comes to your wardrobe. But the truth is – a fancy white T-shirt will get the same sweat stains as a bargain one, and an evening bag you get from a discount store will log as many nights out as a fancy designer clutch. So how can you tell which items you should stretch your budget for, and which ones you can grab from the discount rack? Here’s the scoop from Real Simple magazine.

• Jeans. They might have been created for miners and manual laborers, but today, jeans are a staple of everyone’s wardrobe. You can wear them anywhere – in the yard when you’re mowing the lawn, to dinner with friends, and even to most jobs.  Kendall Farr is the author of The Pocket Stylist. And he says you should splurge on just one or two good pairs. High-end denim has a darker wash to it that’s more attractive, and it should form to your body better than a cheaper pair.
• Gym clothes. The great thing about workout clothes is that even if you choose to go for the best brand names, you won’t burn a hole in your pocket. Gym clothes aren’t all that expensive and they’re likely to last a long time. What you need to do is buy something that’s not only functional, but also feels flattering. Because when you look good in your workout clothes, you’re more likely to actually work out.
• When it comes to evening shoes. Here’s the word from Annie Brumbaugh, a New York based image consultant. She says chances are, you’re not going to wear them very much. And they’re likely to get trashed. So buy a cheaper pair that you don’t mind people stepping on. And if a splash of wine ruins them, you won’t be too broken-hearted about tossing them out.
• Basic white T-shirts. You wear them close to your skin, so you wash them more – meaning they don’t have a long shelf-life. Also, they usually lose the fight with underarm perspiration marks. So save your money and go for the bargain brands.