Judie: The silver lining of the recession is the sales. Markdowns are bigger than ever. This is the time to use some of your precious go-juice and head out to the malls and favorite boutiques.

Evelinda: If you haven't filled the gaps in your summer wardrobe with sale items, get going. We're way past that; we're looking into what we can buy now that will still look current next summer.

Judie: We start out with this objective, but one of us gets starry- eyed at all the sales and starts snapping up items she doesn't need.

Evelinda: Sometimes I come across things I can't live without.

Judie: There will be other things you can't live without. Last summer, you promised we would be strategic in our shopping, and yet within a few minutes of hitting Neiman's Last Call sale, I found you shoveling clothes into one dressing room while a groaning sales associate practically fell down holding more of your "can't-live-withouts."

Evelinda: Here's my list, and I promise to stick to it this year:

* White clothing: Comfortable pencil skirt, cute dress that covers upper arms, super-flare white pants

* Oversize purses in these colors: Red patent leather, yellow, nude or camel, super-shiny silver.

* Shoes: Red patent leather platform sandals, comfy black platform sandal with interesting features.

* Oversize jewelry: Big, bright and bold to make a statement.

Judie: I am so proud of how organized your list is, and I agree: All these items will still be current next spring and fall. If I might add a few more:

* Wide-leg slacks: When I was recently in New York, that's all women wore - in black, natch. The trend is moving west.

* Jackets: Cropped jackets will still look good with skirts and slacks. Pick up one shot through with metallic threading. Metallics are not going away.

* Scarves: Summer-weight scarves will still be a hip accessory.

* Jewelry: Big faux pearls, thank you, Michelle and Cindy. If you see a pearl necklace on sale, snap it up. You will be wearing them very soon, I'd say starting the last week of August.

* Color: Grab anything in the new hot color: purple. You'll be glad you did.

And now, what not to buy:

* Transparent tops: It's over - yes!

* Kitten-heel sandals: These are starting to look dated. Chunkier platform styles are the trend.

* Wild-patterned clothing: These flattered no one. Buh-bye.

Dish with the SM gals at stylematters.us.