Let's face it - nothing makes you feel like a celebrity more than designer clothes. Fortunately for those of us who love fashion, there are ways to express our personal style and look like a star without breaking the bank.

Accessories like designer handbags and trendy jewelry can make your entire wardrobe look more expensive than it really is, so even if you're a brand fanatic, you can still stay within your budget by mixing wardrobe basics with a few designer pieces.

Crazy about Accessories

Clairee Belcher said "the only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize." Its true - every fashionista knows that a well-chosen accessory can make even the simplest of outfits into something fabulous. The right necklace, purse or hair piece can add that extra flair you need to turn heads.

The good news is that designer sales are everywhere and if you just keep your eyes open, it's easy to find great deals on clothes and accessories you've seen in the fashion magazines, on the runway or even on the most stylish celebrities. And who knows, you may even find a designer handbag sale for that new Roberto Cavalli you've had your eye on.

Designer Accessories for a Better-than-basic Look

There's no need to spend your life savings just to keep up with the season's latest trends, so work with what you have and spruce it up with a few tasteful accessories. For instance, it's easy to make jeans and a white tee look more fashionable with a designer bag on your arm and a couple of unique pieces of jewelry.

And don't forget the shoes! Long past are the days when a stylish outfit included large shoulder pads and velvet sling-back pumps. For the modern woman, all you really need to spruce up your favorite little black dress or those jeans you love oh-so-much, is a great pair of strappy designer sandals (or five). If you know where to look, you can find amazing designer sales on colorful Pucci shoes and even classic Fendi sandals (which I found at great prices and free shipping at eLuxury).

Go Ahead, Splurge!

Other than the occasional handbag and pair of shoes you just can't live without, there are a couple pieces every woman should splurge on. And the truth is you'll probably wear these pieces so much, that they'll pay for themselves 10 times over - so if you have the money for the black skirt that fit's you perfectly and goes with everything in your closet: Go for it!

- A tailored black suit for work, weddings, evening outings and any other formal occasion.
- A little black dress
- A fantastic black skirt
- Black or brown high heals
- A black purse and either a black or brown tote bag. You can take this to the beach as is, then spice it up with an elegant scarf to match your evening outfit
- A pair of jeans that hug your curves in all the right places

Shopping Online

The internet has revolutionized the way we shop - and for fashionistas everywhere it couldn't have happened sooner! It's easy to find online clothes and designer handbag sales if you find the right online retailer. Here are some tips when looking for designer sales:

- Check your favorite sites regularly and sign up for e-mail updates so you'll never miss a sale
- Find reliable sites that offer clothes from many different designers - this way you'll have just one online stop to make when you're looking for that perfect handbag or pair of shoes you've been pining for.
- Before you make a purchase, be sure to review the website's security policies to make sure you know who you're dealing with.
- Check the site's exchange and return policy. Some offer free return shipping, others note that "all sales are final," so before you spend $400 on a pair of shoes, make sure you can return them if they don't fit.

Now, I know shopping on a budget has never really been en vogue, but if you want the latest looks for less, a little designer sale shopping never hurts. And don't worry - if you don't tell your friends, they'll never be the wiser (and you can horde all of the designer sales for yourself).