There are a lot of people who use these words interchangeably, but that’s only because they don’t understand the difference. When using these words – as pertaining to fashion – you will realize that they are far from synonyms and in fact have very different meanings.

Cheap does not always pertain to the price. When something is “cheap”, this can refer to the poor quality or shoddy material used. Some designer brands are guilty of creating “cheap” products even when charging very high prices.

Something can look “cheap”, too, by being too risqué. Sometimes, it’s the material that makes the item look cheap. If, of example, you buy a clothing item that’s completely made of synthetic materials it can often look cheap.

(Read also: Products these five beauty influencers can’t live without)

Inexpensive items, on the other hand, are affordable but well-made items. They are of very high quality, and can even look expensive because of the materials used. While people look at “cheap” items and wonder which flea market they came from, inexpensive items can still wow people.

They may even ask you for advice to see if they can buy the same item for themselves. Your goal is not to fool people into thinking you bought something designer-made or expensive. What you want is to find something relatively affordable but made from good materials and with high-quality craftsmanship.

Occasionally, you might get lucky and find a “bargain”. You should differentiate this term from the first two.  A bargain is an expensive item you managed to snag at a remarkably low price. It’s a fortunate find, really. You have to do your research to get your hands on a remarkable bargain, though.

There are a lot of stores to try so you can choose where you might be able to pick up designer products without breaking the bank. Of course, if you do manage to snag a bargain, you might be tempted to tell everyone about the price of your great find. Try not to give in to that urge. If you really have to, then go ahead, but do it subtly. No one likes to hear about prices all the time. It can come off as a bit tacky.

(Read also: 6 local quirky bag brands on the rise)

That being said, the important lesson to take away here is that you want to find things that are inexpensive or bargains. You don’t want to buy cheap – ever. If you can, focus on quality all the time. This is how you can stick to inexpensive rather than cheap items.

It can be tempting to fill your wardrobe with disposable clothing, but think of the future. You’ll have to replace these cheap items eventually before too long, which will cost you more in the long run. Keep these things in mind as we further discuss building your wardrobe through investments.

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Heidi Nazarudin is a former CEO turned style blogger, public speaker and event host based in Kuala Lumpur, Los Angeles and New York. She has worked with brands such as Saks 5th Avenue, Giorgio Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo and Mont Blanc. She is the blogger-in-chief of TheAmbitionista.com and co-founder of Blogger Babes. She resides in Santa Monica, CA by the beach and lives on Instagram @theambitionista.

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