these are my specific recommendations for those who are newly ordained and trying to purchase the most amount of vestment for their budget.

priest's vestments

because the rubrics specify "light" and "dark" (not specific colors), i recommend that newly ordained priests purchase a light and a dark set.  the light set is usually gold, gold/white, or gold/red and the dark set is usually deep red or burgundy.  deep red and burgundy can be worn in great lent and when the rubrics specify "dark" or the local tradition requires red or purple.  the major advantage to this method over purchasing a gold and a purple set is that the burgundy set will be worn more throughout the year than purple, thereby saving some wear and tear on the gold set.

1. if you purchase two of the low-cost, embroidered fabrics, you will only need one sticharion since the galloons are complementary.  for example, purchase a set with gold embroidery on a white background and a set with gold embroidery on a red background.  the white and gold set functions as your "light" set and the red and gold set as your "dark" set.
2. purchase two sets as mentioned in #1, but made of rayon brocade with rayon galloon.  for the "light" set, i would recommend either the new gregory, vincent, nika, or pomegranate fabrics.  for the "dark" set, i would recommend either small normandy or nika in the burgundy/gold.  
3. purchase two sets as mentioned in #1, but made of the standard lightweight embroidered fabric.  

in addition to these cost-saving measures, here are a few other ideas:

1. forego purchasing the epigonation.  i can cut the epigonation and hold it for you until a later date (this assures that the epigonation will be made of the same dye lot as the vestments).
2. follow the russian tradition of purchasing one white sticharion (finished with white galloon) which is worn with all vestments, regardless of the color of the vestments.
3. if you are on a very tight budget, then you can purchase the white and gold lightweight "baptismal" vestments (non-embroidered).  this set is $750 and is quite durable.  you could wear this set for a year or two and then add other vestments as you are able.  

deacon's or subdeacon's vestments

For deacons or subdeacons, i would recommend following the "light" and "dark" rubrics as well.  subdeacons can purchase deacons vestments without the cuffs or purchase an altar servers robe with an orarion.

specific recommendations for deacon's vestments:

1. purchase a gold/white, gold/red, or gold/white/red set for your first vestments.  these will be your "light" vestments and can be worn every sunday until you are ready to add to your collection.
2. purchase burgundy/gold orarion and cuffs set and anytime the rubrics specifies "dark", wear your gold sticharion with the burgundy orarion and cuffs.  note:  this can also be done with any other liturgical color, e.g. blue, red, green, white
3. purchase a burgundy/gold sticharion to match the orarion and cuffs.  this will save wear and tear on your gold sticharion and i would advise planning to purchase a second sticharion within two years of your ordination.
4. in lieu of steps 1-3, you could purchase a solid white sticharion and then add orarion and cuff sets in the various liturgical colors as your budget allows.  i would suggest that the sticharion be finished with gold galloon and crosses.