Flip through Vogue, and you'll think money buys beauty. Look at the real-life women who wear stuff pictured in Vogue, and you'll know money often buys something akin to a strange ugliness.

Perhaps, living in Los Angeles, I see this good-gal-turned-fashion-victim -- at a v. expensive cost to her -- more often than others. But you don't have to live in LA to hear complaints from women 'bout a closet full of clothes with nothing to wear.

So -- Some advice of about looking good amidst the ugly fashion confusion out there --

Work what you got. Blogher fashionista Susan Wagner gives pictorial proof that the in look now's "a timeless look, composed of pieces that are both entirely classic and completely of the moment."

In fact, she throws out a challenge of sorts: "I'm willing to bet that most of us could pull together something similar from pieces we already own."

Fashion boutique owner Summer Bowen of BTC Elements -- a friend of mine -- agrees: Go shopping in your own closet, she says. Now keep in mind Summer's a gal trying to SELL fashionable clothes -- yet as a fashion maven herself, it pains her to see victims of fashion -- especially financial victims of fashion. Take her advice, and take a good hard look at your own closet.

Focus on you. Whenever I see gals with my type of figure trying to work the Uggs look, I wanna cry for them a little.

I think Uggs are ugly overall -- but they're especially ugly on gals like me who have longer torsos and shorter legs. Yet because Uggs've been marketed so heavily, so many otherwise smart gals plunk down hard-earned money for furry boots that actually make them look fat and dumpy.

Seriously -- Look at Malingering of LAist's post 'bout Uggs, and avoid becoming a sad fashion victim with overheated feet. If a new trend happens to suit your body type, consider it. Otherwise, just say no to Uggs --

Go for quality. Don't be tempted by the crap at Walmart or Target or Old Navy. Instead, rethink what you consider a "good deal." Sure, a $5 red T-shirt sounds like a damn good deal -- until you wash it, to find it's faded, shrunken, misshapen and no longer good for wear.

I buy clothes that many Walmart shoppers would consider expensive. However, I spend WAY less money on clothes than the average woman -- because I buy high quality, long-lasting stuff.

A perfect pair of Prada loafers'll last you many years, while a pleather pair from Payless'll last you a few months -- and never actually look good. Even if I paid full price for my loafers, amortized over time, I save money over the gals buying a pair of shoes a month at "discount" shops.

And during all that time, I've been collecting compliments over my cute Prada loafers, while other gals -- with the same or higher income spending MORE on shoes than I am -- just hope no one'll notice the glaring scuffs on their pleather platforms.

Cheap up front doesn't mean you'll save money at the end.

So if you're buying shoes, go for high-quality leather (2nd hand or eco-leather if possible). If you're buying dress pants or a good jacket, go for a high wool blend or high-quality cotton.

And make sure you really, really like what you're buying, because it looks hot on to you, instead of just buying "acceptable" crap cuz it's on sale.

And if you've got fashion questions, ask me: greenlagirl@gmail.com. I'll consult with my friend Summer at BTC Elements, and answer them here :)

[all shoe pics by Siel, green LA girl, who owns all shoes pictured -- except for the pic of Uggs, which's by Malingering of LAist]

BlogHer Contributing Editor Siel also blogs at greenLAgirl.com.