O's Fashion Resolutions

"This year I'm bargain hunting."

"I just bought a $30 cardigan!" says California jewelry designer Liseanne Frankfurt, 37, who was a stranger to lower-priced stores until her then 6-year-old daughter started dragging her into Zara, H&M, and J.Crew. Now she views mass fashion with new eyes: She was awed, for example, by the feel-good fabric ("Texture is important to me"), excellent fit, and up-to-date shape of this smart little suit (Express blazer, $148, and skirt, $70) and sheer top (Gap, $58). Although Frankfurt runs a luxury business, she is neither a label snob nor a major splurger ("I invest in pieces that last; I don't buy for one season and then pack it off to the resale shop"). So she thinks it's an inspired strategy to mix affordable clothes with high-end accessories like knockout patent leather shoes (Manolo Blahnik) and her own 18kt-gold bracelets, rings, and earrings (all, LFrank). "If you're wearing good jewelry," she says, "no one will question where your suit came from." 

O's creative director, Adam Glassman, has the guide to recession-proof shopping