For any woman, they are as much a source of stress as of joy, as much a potential regret as a trusted friend. Shoes are not simply an accessory or a necessity; they play a pivotal role in determining a woman’s overall look and projection of style and self to the world. Wherever a woman goes and whatever she does, her shoes must literally help ensure that she puts her best foot forward.

Whatever a woman’s ensemble, whether it be a casual day skirt, a business suit, a swim cover up, or a party dress, the shoes she chooses must fit the look perfectly. A woman ’s ensemble projects an image to the world and thus helps to display her role at work, at home, and at various activities. Achieving a big promotion requires dressing the part, and this includes the shoes one decides on. Even the perfect skirt, top, and accessories can quickly go awry if the wrong footwear is selected.

The effect of one’s outfit depends on selecting the proper footwear to convey to the world her understanding of herself, her personal style, and her take on the trends of her current surroundings.

In years gone by, it may have been acceptable to repeat looks from other seasons or to utilize ensembles more appropriate to other cities, however in today’s fast-paced, globalized world this simply won’t cut it. Sporting Uggs in Miami or Crocs in Paris is no longer an option for today’s style-conscious woman.

Luckily for today’s economically-conscious shoe-lovers, there are a few simple tips that will guarantee that no woman goes astray next time she ventures into the shoe department of the local department store. These rules will allow you to quickly master the art of shoe-shopping, while not depleting the majority of the contents of your wallet.

The first rule that every woman should remember when contemplating her next footwear purchase, is to consider carefully the relative price of the potential shoe choice at hand. Many women continually make the mistake of repeatedly buying somewhat less-than-desirable shoes simply because they are on sale for a very reasonable price. While the price of a pair of shoes may be very cheap, purchasing numerous pairs this way quickly begins to add up. A good rule of thumb for any woman to live by is to consider the question, “would I want these if they were not on sale?” If the answer to this tried-and-true test is yes, than the purchase is likely a valuable one, however if it is no, leave the shoes behind. A closet full of cheap, B-list shoes can often lead to guilt-tripping one’s self into forcing a less -than-desirable footwear choice just to gain the satisfaction of knowing they were used.

Another important shoe-shopping tip that every woman should know is related to understanding the role and value of investment pieces versus trendy buys. Many women make the mistake of splurging on a designer pair of this year’s must-have shoe, only to then be forced to discount shop for the staple pairs for their everyday needs. The solution to this problem is simple: invest in the necessary staples of your wardrobe, such as everyday flats, leather boots, black pumps, stilettos, and driving moccasins. Then save on the more trendy pieces by doing a bit of shopping around and finding high-quality, potentially replica designer pieces. This way you can spend the majority of your shoe budget on great pieces that will last, while also enjoying this year’s latest shoe trends.

Investing in the daily necessities and classic trends will ensure that you have beautiful, high-quality pieces for years to come and that you will be the envy of all of your friends.

Jayde Johannsen loves shopping for women’s shoes boots with her girlfriends. The Women’s Shoes website assists her with her plan of attack though