More for shoes, less for handbags
More for cardigans, less for coats
More for jeans/skirts, less for jersey tops
More for workout gear, less for bras & knickers.
Reasoning: I know a good shoe and I care about looks and comfort and heel height etc. A bag is just a splash of colour that will get bashed around, and I like to rotate, so cheapies fill the need.
The rare truly flattering, silky feeling cardigans I've got are worth a lot to me. I don't buy cardigans that feel rough or don't conform to my body perfectly. Coats are primarily a fashion item and only secondarily for warmth here - they are handy as an extra layer but not strictly necessary. Expensive ones in flattering shapes would cost hundreds (at least) so I'm content with cheap(er) cute coats.
Jeans and skirts are hard to find (that are the right colour, fit and fabric) so if I find what I want I'll splurge. Jersey tops will wear out and are much easier to find so I'm not willing to pay through my nose.
Expensive workout gear does make me look better, covering cellulite, firming, providing better figure-flattery design-wise; which helps motivate me to exercise. It also means I'm not embarrassed to be seen exercising. And it also lasts me longer, resisting pilling etc.
I used to buy expensive bras but they always wore out and once I found flattering bras at Kmart that worked for me, there was no going back. You should change your bras every few months anyway, so why spend $$$?