News

Stylists like Karen Munnis of Vancouver are pros at sifting gold from dross at vintage stores and charity shops.

Even feature films have tight clothing budgets, and Munnis did her share of shaking down Value Villages from Langley to Whistler, finding the perfect $3 knockoff of the season's peasanty Chloe blouse for Chloe Sevigny to wear in Sisters, which just finished filming in B.C. (Sevigny, of course, is not just a noted avant fashionista, but a vintage hound herself; her co-star, Lou Douillon, the second-generation French style icon and daughter of Jane Birkin, proved equally challenging for Munnis.)

But it is the less obvious bargain hunting that Munnis did in the name of the film with which we are concerned here. That would be the bargains she found at the mall.

Summer is short so we agree you can't invest heavily in keeping up with the Sevingnys. The solution? "Go to shops like Sirens, like Dynamite, the fast-mall-fashion destinations," Munnis says. "They are great for foundation pieces, layering pieces, the top to wear under a suit, or the flouncing peasant skirt that will only last six weeks. That's all you need it for, anyway."

She recommends Club Monaco, Fairweather, even superchains such as the Gap. "Again, summer is the time to go for the bargain."

"But you also need to think outside the box," Munnis says. "For instance, for the plaid looks coming up for fall, go to a men's tartan store outside of town. You get a more authentic look, and better quality, at a lower price."

Toronto's Julia Grieve, television's Diva on a Dime (on Prime), agrees that customizing is the key to saving money. "My No. 1 tip: Get a tailor A proper fit is the key to making bargain finds look like a million dollars. Why is something on sale? Because it doesn't fit," the diva says.

Grieve also owns three PreLoved boutiques (in Toronto and Montreal, plus a fresh outpost in Vancouver), a concept shop renowned for reworking vintage junk into smack-on-trend goodies.

Keeping your eye on the trends is the key to doing cheap successfully, says Michelle Paiano, who styled our six fabulous "under-$100" looks here. Paiano pulls clothes for the Life Network's So Chic, a show where two women get a fashion makeover -- one on a $500 budget, the other on a $2,000 splurge.

"I start each season by looking up the major trends on the Internet," she says. "If you identify the right looks for right now, you will automatically benefit from the glamour of the runway."

Grieve adds another piece of the puzzle: It's about who you know. "Build relationships with salespeople, even in chain stores. People think you can only benefit from friends at Holt Renfrew. You can get tips, and insider knowledge and calls on sales and hot deliveries from the Gap."

Another key is in the mix. One stylista trick is to put a $5 wallet with a $1,500 purse. Pulling out a fake pink Burberry wallet can elicit endless compliments, especially if people expect you to be toting big-logo names. One can slide in some real junk and get a big kick out of watching everyone's reaction. That is, if the crowd is let in on the secret.

In the end, Munnis agrees that pulling off looks for less is all about swagger, and about putting time into the pursuit. "You know that the vintage shops, and even the chain stores, are going to be picked over in urban areas, where all the keen shoppers are trolling. Go to the outer suburbs, where everyone isn't so competitive. That's where you find the real finds."

For a $3 blouse that looks like Chloe, it's worth the price of gas for a little off-road bargain shopping.

Bargain-hunting tips

Stay on trend: Your bargoon will look more expensive if it's au courant, so keep up with the latest fashion magazines and websites and you'll spend less.

Play with pattern: Prints hide a multitude of construction sins. Plus they're fun.

Details count: Embroidery, piping and well-finished linings make clothes feel and look more luxe.

Get outta tow n: You'll find treasures buried in the 'burbs.

Get personal: Get to know your local Gap folk; they can keep you ahead of the crowds just as the salespeople do at the higher-end shops.

Make it fit: If it doesn't, don't buy it. If you do, get it tailored.

BRUNCH

Fairweather dress, $39.99

Fairweather bracelets, 2 for $10

Sirens (sirens.com) bag, $19.50

TOTAL $69.49

VACATION SHOPPING

Suzy Shier shirt dress, $28

Suzy Shier necklace, $8

Suzy Shier belt, $10

Suzy Shier bag, $6.98

Suzy Shier hat, $15

TOTAL $67.98

WEDDING

Winners dress, Eva Blue, $39.99

Winners sequin bag, $19

TOTAL $58.99

CASUAL FRIDAY

Dynamite cotton sailor pant, $32

Dynamite halter top, $18

Dynamite cotton shirt, $20

Dynamite canvas belt, $10

Dynamite polka-dotted scarf, $10

Dynamite bracelet, $8

TOTAL $ 98.00

CLUBBING

Sirens tunic dress, $29.50

Sirens skinny jeans, $39.50

Sirens knit scarf, $5

Sirens bangles, each $2

Sirens lamé bag, $10

TOTAL $86.00

OFFICE

Fairweather Isaac Mizahi blazer, $39.99

Fairweather shorts, $14.75

Fairweather belt, $29.95

Fairweather necklace (free-buy one get one free promotion)

Fairweather tank, (2/$30), $15

TOTAL $99.69