You can achieve at least 23 looks from eight key fashion pieces. Carmen Hinkle has done the math.

Ms. Hinkle, store manager at Coldwater Creek at Hamilton Corner, said the secret is in mixing color-coordinated pieces. And it doesn’t have to be costly, she said.

A tough economy can drive consumers to look for more value and versatility in their clothing purchases, experts say.

Ms. Hinkle said Coldwater Creek has lowered prices on most products.

“And we do an exercise with our customers to show them the versatility of our products and how they can save money.”

The first step is selecting two basic styles of pants, such as khaki capris and dark blue denim jeans, she said.

“Then we take two novelty items that catch the eye like our new lace-trim top with a bit of a sleeve and a chambray pocket shirt (available in many colors). We then add to the mix two no-iron items, a shirt and cap-sleeve shirt and two layering items — a jacket and an open-weave wrap.”

Each piece is a color that will coordinate with the other pieces, she said.

“With these eight pieces, I can have 23 or more looks,” Ms. Hinkle said. “And, then, when a customer takes these eight pieces home, they can add pieces from their closet to create even more looks.”

The cost of purchasing the eight pieces is $386.

“The fun part is to divide how many outfits you can make out of the eight pieces you purchased,” Ms. Hinkle said. With these eight pieces, each outfit costs about $16.78.

June Puett, an agent with the University of Tennessee Agriculture Extension Service in Chattanooga, takes Ms. Hinkle’s advice a step further.

“If saving money when buying clothes is the bottom line, you could go with four key pieces,” Ms. Puett said. “In today’s economy, we need to build on what we already have. Look for sales, and buy pieces that enhance the wardrobe you have in your closet.”

Ms. Puett and Ms. Hinkle advise customers to match colors, styles and textures when shopping.

“I’ve got my own shopping rule,” Ms. Puett said. “If it doesn’t match something I already have, I’m not going to buy it.”