I'm cheap. Very cheap. I refuse to pay for cable, I have a pre-paid cell phone (emergency use only), and it physically pains me to pay full retail for anything.

But dear lord, I do love clothes! Expensive, high-end, haute-couture, newest -hottest- fashion designer type clothes. I can't afford them, of course, and am too cheap to pay for them even if I could. What to do, then? Be content with Target off-the-rack (don't misunderstand - I love Target, especially the end-of-season clearance racks!)? But no, there's a better way.

On-line auctions: A stingy fashion-addict's mecca of merchandise; a veritible bargain-bin of fashion-delights. Try doing a search on Vintage Couture and you'll find the best of the vintage clothing available. Occassionally you can even luck onto a newly-released "collection": For one example, a deceased Parisian woman who's estate included gorgeous, one-of-a kind, hand-made pieces. Although that example will cost on the high-end of the auction-fashion price scale, it's still a bargain by any standard.

Want to pay even less? Sure, who doesn't. Take the 2 pieces in the photos on the top. At first glance, they both look like the legendary Burberry plaid, right?? But no, they're not, of course. But they would surely fool all but the most fashion-conscious. I've been stopped by strangers in the lobby of my office building who asked, with obvious envy, "Burberry?". And I just smile and walk away, feeling smart and fully-fashioned in my $10 EBAY find.

Who doesn't love Ralph Lauren? A handsome straight guy with impeccible fashion instincts? I know, i know - hard to believe. But the man knows how to design clothing. I love everything he does, but especially the high-end designs - you know, those pieces I can't afford. See the jacket in the 3rd pic? Vintage Ralph, bought on EBAY for around $35.00.

I decided my vintage-inspired bedroom needed a nice old hatbox on the dressing table. I bought the one in the photo for very little (I can't remember exactly, but under $10) and surprise, surprise! Inside were several 50's-style pill-box hats as well as the beautiful scarf pictured. Where else can you buy something for a more-than-fair price AND find a surprise inside?

So go forth, fellow fashion addicts, and shop, shop, shop!