Ask Fashion Girl

Dear Lisa:

Clothes in magazines are expensive! What fashion magazines are good for are giving us an idea of the look we want to put together with stuff we find at cheaper stores (what's known in the fashion biz as"at a lower price point.") I recommend shopping at discount stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, Target, and Marshalls for great bargains; at delias.com and girlfriendsla.com for cheap chic; and thrift and vintage stores and yard sales for one-of-a-kind finds like the Hollywood celebs wear (at a fraction of shopping mall prices). Also, don't forget sales. Everything goes on sale! If you can't afford it when it first comes out, wait a few weeks into the season and the price will, most likely, drop. Another idea is to buy one pricier, glam item that you can't live without and build a few outfits around it. It takes a good eye and extra shopping to put together a look on less money. My advice: develop your shopping talent!

Make learning how to be a Master Shopper who can ferret out style from the hidden corners of the world your aim. Anyone can walk right into a store and plunk down cash for a coordinated outfit. If you accept this mission, you're going to gain the know-how to cull your fab finds from a variety of smart-shopping options.

Sincerely, Fashion Girl