Chic Wear For Every Occasion

On the latest Chic on a Shoestring, The Early Show takes a look at the perfect outfits for work, weekend and evening.

Each month, Marie Claire magazine shows readers thrifty ways of spending to look stylish. The magazine's December issue is chock-full of great bargain deals.

Marie Claire's editor-in-chief Lesley Jane Seymour challenges The Early Show co-anchors Hannah Storm and Rene Syler, plus weatherman Dave Price, to guess which outfits were steals, costing a fraction of the designer prices of the other outfits.

Clothes for work:
The pencil skirt is a great and classy look for any office, according to Seymour. It can easily be dressed up or dressed down.

Steal:
Arden B. sweater, $118
Banana Republic skirt, $98
Fredericks of Hollywood pumps, $29

Total: $245

Splurge:
Matthew Williamson sweater, $620
Matthew Williamson skirt, $565
Stuart Weitzman pumps, $200

Total: $1,385

Both looks are chic for the office, Seymour says, and both prove that the work look doesn't just mean suits.

Seymour says tweed is a big trend this fall and a mix with the pencil skirt it is very chic. Also, the colorful, yet basic zipper gives the sweaters a nice look, Seymour says. The look is fun, but still professional.

The big difference between the splurge and steals (besides the price) is the label. Most customers are paying for the name brand recognition of the clothes, according to Marie Claire.

Weekend look:
This is a great look for running errands or meeting friends for a casual brunch, Seymour says.

Splurge:
Celine sweater, $430
Celine pants, $650
Chanel flats, $350

Grand Total: $1,430

Steal:
Easel sweater, $98
Necessary Objects pants, $78
Sam & Libby shoes, $49

Grand Total: $225

Seymour says animal prints are still popular this fall. Customers will be paying extra for cropped fitted pants. But, according to Seymour, customers will be willing to spend a little more for obtaining the name branded clothes they desire.

Evening wear

Splurge:
YSL jacket, $1,595
YSL dress, $2,695
Stuart Weitzman shoes, $205

Grand Total: $4,495

Steal:
Necessary Objects jacket, $92
BCBG dress, $260
Colin Stuart shoes, $49

Grand Total: $401

Seymour says the two outfits are perfect for any holiday party. The editor suggests not to be afraid to mix textures such as silk and velvet.

Yves Saint Laurent is a major brand with a better velvet than the Necessary Objects' item. Therefore, it does cost more than Necessary Objects. Unless you touched them, you probably couldn't tell the difference between the two brands of clothes right away.

The score: Rene and Hannah had one correct and Dave had two correct.
To David, Rene jokingly says, "As he predicted. You know why? He frequents a lot of women's shops."