Looking for cheap, chic fashions?

The economy has curtailed (somewhat!) my shopping habit, which is fine with me as I'm not that big of a shopper. My sister-in-law is a pro and has scored some amazing deals, but I can't be bothered. Not just because my wallet isn't that generous, but because quite frankly, I'd rather be reading or hanging out with friends than roaming massive malls for a pair of jeans. Most of the time, they either don't fit or are way too trendy. Nothing wrong with being up with the times, but unfortunately most department stores and boutiques carry trends that are better suited to teenagers and very young adults. I'm 37, dammit, and have way more money than the average twentysomething, but I guess retailers sometimes forget that.

Instead, what I do is buy a few timeless pieces that will remain in my closet for years and which will always be in style. I'm talking about dark wash denim that sits just below the waist and are slightly flared at the leg. Sure, today it's all about the skinny jean (just like the '80s!) and bright yellow and the latest It bag, but these are momentary trends that will disappear within mere months, so why spend all your hard-earned money for something with such a short shelf life? Yes, you can always store them for a couple of decades (lots of '80s-style clothes are roaring back at the runways), but then you'll have to spend money to have that storage and space. Why not just buy clothes that you can wear year in and year out?

You don't necessarily have to buy classic-but-uber-pricey brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton, either. Heck, even those lines have their share of fleeting togs. The great thing about dressing simply but elegantly is that, once you have a wardrobe rich in such timeless classics, you'll rarely have a problem getting dressed again. Streamlining can not only simplify your busy life and schedule, it can be very, very cost-effective.

My favorite place to score well-priced classic pieces is my little network of consignment shops and thrift stores. Not every town is going to have them, but most will. In Dallas you have a huge array of choices, from the enormously popular Clotheshorse Anonymous to the neighborhood Goodwill. I used to be a devoted Clotheshorse shopper, but since the early 2000's they've started pricing their goods quite high. In the late 1980's and early 1990's, I could nab a beautiful designer wool suit for less than $50, but nowadays you'd be lucky if you could escape the store spending less than $100. Want a genuine Prada for less than $300? Try eBay. If you dare.

Still, I'll go there on occasion. I check out the suits, skirts, blouses, and of course, purses. They've since relocated to a much bigger location, one that showcases more of their gems. Sometimes you'll find good deals, but be prepared to spend nearly as much as you would at the mall.

Other shops worth checking in the Dallas area include Revente on Mockingbird Lane and Clothes Circuit near Northwest Highway and Preston. The latter is similar to Clotheshorse in pricing, but if you're on the hunt for upscale designer clothing, that's a fantastic place to shop. They also have a better, larger purse selection than Clotheshorse, too, IMHO.

In Irving a decent place for an afternoon hunt is Chapter Two, located on the southeast corner of O'Connor Rd. and Rochelle. Their purse selection is so-so (rare designer finds, and many of them are of older vintage, like Dooney & Bourke handbags from the 1980's), but the staff is friendly and the selection of clothes is great.

I usually go to Goodwill for books, but if you pick the neighborhood, you can get some wonderful clothes and accessories. A while back (before designer knockoffs were common), my mom once found a slightly damaged but genuine Gucci purse at the Irving Goodwill. Minor water stains had slightly warped the interior lining, but otherwise it was in gorgeous condition. Price? Six bucks, baby. And yes, it really was a genuine Gucci handbag.

Chances are you won't be able to find such jewels very often -- if at all -- but especially in these straitened times, you might be surprised at what people have been unloading at their neighborhood thrift shop. Sure, more people are holding on to their stuff longer, but there are still lots of good buys to be had. I like to keep an eye on fashion trends by browsing through several fashion magazines a month, but then I head out to Goodwill and my local thrift shop to find some similar pieces, specifically those that might work for today's fashion but doesn't necessarily scream TRENDY. An example would be last fall's signature color, deep violet/purple. Designers came up with a lot of beautiful pieces in that shade, but a lot of them were fleeting designs that wouldn't survive another year's fashion scrutiny. You can, however search through the Goodwill racks for, say, a vintage Polo in eggplant or deep violet and be able to satisfy your sartorial demands without spending a fortune.

When searching for consignment shops near you, just Google "consignment [name of your city here]." Chances are you'll come up with several to choose from. If not, start with your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. Garage/yard sales can make for great treasure hunts, too, and their prices are often the lowest you'll find anywhere, but if you're looking to save gas and drive time as well, you should definitely head out to your local secondhand/vintage/thrift/consignment boutiques and stores.