Once you find a pattern that fits, you can use it again and again with minor alterations in style.  I rarely buy a new pattern if I can alter one that I know already fits.  On dress or jacket patterns, you can change the shape of the neckline, remove or change the length of sleeves, borrow a collar from another pattern, lengthen or shorten.  On multi-size patterns, you can cut a larger or smaller size (tuck the cut-off cutting lines back in the envelope for possible reuse).