Ah, Spring is finally here! Toss the down coat and muffler and let some breeze hit your skin. What’s that you say? Spring is stressing you out? Me, too. I’ve crystallized the feeling: Spring equals new trends, new hot items, new must haves.

But, how can you stay on trend while staying on budget?!

The answer is: the JACKET! This ONE piece can seem the equivalent of an entire new wardrobe, and this spring, the JACKET is the piece to invest in.

The jacket is the chameleon in your wardrobe: Throw it on over a tank top, with jeans or shorts, don it with a little black dress. Your spring wardrobe is totally revitalized with just this one key item – one jacket, four looks! Add your own fabulous accessory flourishes and you have created outfits that are not only trendy, but also uniquely you. Isn’t that what real style is all about?

Every designer, Uniqlo to YSL, is putting out different shapes and styles, allowing today’s woman to select not only what she legitimately digs, but also, what sincerely looks great on her: safari, tuxedo, trench and boyfriend, long, cropped, fitted, or loose – a selection of silhouettes guaranteed to complement every shape and size. Check out Lucky’s May issue (on-sale April 7th) for some great jacket options.

Still itching to splurge on a few more items for spring? Here’s an idea: clean out your closet and sell some of your old items for cash. Bring them to a consignment store (you generally receive 50% of the sale price) or sell them on eBay. You get a return on your retail investments and put some cash in your pocket!

Élan Barish is the owner of The Stash Consignment, LLC – a private consignment business specializing in appointment only shopping and shopping parties. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children.

Read Elan’s blog: the stashionista file!