(But get mom's permission first before you smuggle things away, natch!) Mom's, oh I don't know, just have more stuff. Stuff they probably don't need, want or use anymore and might really appreciate having you take it off their overburdened hands. (Savvy tip: Grandmoms have even more stuff.) Here are seven things we've successfully scored, again, with mom's permish, so don't hesitate to go prowling around her archives for these hot items after a brief little dialogue to make sure it's ok with her.

RAWR.  That's the power of the animal print.  In small, well-apportioned doses, animal prints add the "rawr" factor—luxe, expensive, chic—to any simple look, no matter how frugal your wares.  We love our furry friends of course and aren't into the whole coat business (although if your Great Aunt Bea from Saskatchewan left you something along the vintage lines, we wouldn't fault you for wearing it), but as a print, it will never go out of style and will never fail to make something simple and inexpensive look luxe.

Whether you want a pair to keep old man winter from nipping at your dainty wrists or you just can't resist sporting those short-sleeve and 3/4 sleeve numbers through the frosty months, arm warmers are a savvy way to turn a warm-weather top into a year-round top while keeping your chic in check at the same time. You can even use up a pair of knee-highs well past their prime for the job, no stitching required.

Selecting a couple key trend pieces each season to bring your wardrobe up to date is certainly a savvy way to approach fashion and in fact, it's the only way we do things here at Savvy Central.  We love how this simple, fire-engine red clutch, snapped by the divine Mr. Newton, brings the perfect pop of color to otherwise basic, neutral separates.  Who doesn't have a good pair of classic black slacks or skirt, a dark, long sleeved top and a short-sleeve knit number?  Ok, well, we actually don't have the last one, but we're betting our cute vest from last year will sub in just fine.

Katy Perry can have her Teenage Dream, right now, we're looking for a Dry Clean Dream.  It's particularly apparent how seldom we drop in to the dry cleaners when we pull out those transitional coats and stare headlong into pit stains and a "not so fresh" feeling.  Ok, I exaggerate.  Mostly.

If you're shy about going to the dry cleaners for fear of handing over your gently-worn garments and ringing up a three-figure bill, bear our savvy tips in mind and you'll never leave the house musty, dusty or stinky again.

You could say we're definitely having a slouchy boot "moment" at Savvy Central.  They're such a cozy, sexy way to cover up chilly gams and add bobo style to a simple skirt or trouser shorts.  If you've got ankle boots or pumps, you don't have to splurge on a pricey pair of slouchy boots, which might not hang on the trend lists for more than a season or two.  Just buy a simple pair of leg warmers in a similar hue as your shoes, scrunch them down and voila, you've got the same effect for less.

• Frye Harlow Campus Bootie, $258 at zappos.com
• Betsey Johnson Buttons Up! Legwarmer, $29.99 at urbanoutfitters.com