Just hit the internet.

While the prices are oftentimes still much higher than those pieces you love grabbing at Target, Old Navy, Forever 21 or H&M, many of these items are much higher in quality and can be wardrobe staples for many years to come.

I am personally obsessed with designer denim, shoes and handbags. I don’t have the salary to allow me to buy whatever I want at their normal price and I don’t own a credit card (for good reason – it would’ve been maxed out ages ago), so I have to look for deals. Enter my saviors for retail therapy on a budget:

Overstock.com: This site is a gem! You may not always find exactly what you want, but you can find some great stuff here at even better prices. I got my bf 2 sweaters and a button down shirt that were each originally $75/piece, for $15 each! You can also find great home goods here for awesomely affordable prices.

Bluefly: While things here are oftentimes still pretty pricey, they do give a good percentage off, and I check here often because when they have sales, you can find phenomenal deals.

Gilt Group: This site is different than the first two…they don’t just have overstocked items that you can pick from whenever you want. They have specific sales on certain brands on a day-to-day basis. The site originators send out an e-mail every day as to who’s on sale. You must be a member to join (it’s free), and I believe you must be invited to become a member. You are now invited.

Haute Look: Very similar to Gilt Group, they have exclusive sales with phenomenal deals. Check on their site daily for the current and upcoming lines they will be selling.

eBags: If you’re a bag horse, this is a great site. I got my bf an amazing $250 Kenneth Cole leather messenger bag for $70, and they gave me a free leather business card case with it!

eLuxury: Again, still not exactly in a college student’s budget, but the prices are slashed by 30-70%

One other tip I have is to check the websites of the high end stores themselves: Barneys, Nieman Marcus, Saks, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and Macy’s. With the recession, one of the arenas getting hit the hardest is luxury goods, so these stores are just hoping to get merchandise off their shelves and out of their storage, which means they’re all having kick-butt sales (usually in the 50-90% off range). These sales are sure to pop up over the next few months as the economy worsens. So if you have the chance (and the bucks), take advantage of the benefits of a global economic collapse – you may get a fabulous pair of shoes out of it.

If you happened to catch the new 90210 last week, I’m assuming you’re in agreement with me that the show itself was rather hard to watch. Good thing there were some cute outfits to add something worth looking at.

Obviously, since most of us don’t live in one of the wealthiest zip codes in the country, we can’t afford to wear designer duds on a daily basis, but achieving the look of the new class of West Beverly Hills High doesn’t have to cost you your firstborn. With a trip to your local Target, Express or Forever 21 (my personal faves for inexpensive fashion) or a few mouse clicks, you can pull together a great 90210-inspired ensemble.

As the weather begins to cool, but before it gets too chilly, rockin’ out a cute pair of denim shorts, a corset top and a blazer is an adorable look that Naomi showed off… every day…for the entire episode. I found an entire outfit like this at Forever 21 for a grand total of $70. (Click on the images to shop!)

Like any show about rich high school kids, there were plenty of parties and, thus, party dresses. Good thing cheap dresses are easy to find! This hot satin number (below) is only $23 at Forever 21 and comes in a vast array of colors. There is also this Forever 21 frock for under $30, or a basic dress that could be dressed up really well with some fun accessories from Target.

Fun and flirty tops were the other central piece in the show, and again, finding these for a reasonable price (oftentimes under $25!) is an easy task. I loved this top (on sale for $19.99), as well as this one from Express. The shirt below, from Forever 21 (as usual), pairs well with a pair of skinny jeans for a chic and luxe look.

And for Annie’s casual look (which is supposed to be more “Midwest”), Forever 21 and Target are definitely the way to go. Here are a couple of pieces similar to her tanks and hoodies. The shirt below, from Target, is a cute alternative to a boring, everyday tank.

As is always the case, going to discount stores like Filene’s Basement, Loehmann’s, Nordstrom Rack, etc. is a fantastic way to find great steals. And if you want a few designer pieces thrown in with your cheaper pieces to create a perfectly balanced look, these stores are definitely the way to go.

No matter what, as the oh-so-wise Tim Gunn emphasizes, fashion isn’t about cost or labels; it’s about finding pieces that flatter your body and allowing your personal style to shine through. Yes, even if you’re following the trends of a new TV show.

The guilt set in and now this weekend is all about shopping for my family and friends.

Then I found hautelook.com. Sh*t.

Avert your eyes! This site is amazing but a total drain on your wallet (due to selection–not prices!). Just in case you’re willing to spend some cash on some discounted designer duds here’s the lowdown:

Hautelook.com is a member-only site where the user can sign up to receive discounts on major designer apparel–up to 75% off!

You gain access to sample sales days before everyone else. And if you know anything about real-life sample sales…this is a Godsend. No more elbows to the face, disgruntled bitches, and long lines! It’s a Christmas miracle!

Designers like Miguelina, Robert Rodriguez, and starting next week, Development by Erica Davies are available, so get your clicking finger ready.

And refer a friend…you both get $10 credit! Hey, it’s one present off the list, right?

Calling all girlie girls! I found a sale at Pinkstore.com.

If you can’t already tell by the name of this online shop, it is the home for soft, frilly, and lovely designer duds. With spring shopping on my mind, I thought it was great to find fall items on sale that can take me through the rest of the semester and summer.

The Pinkstore.com is filled with femme items by designers like Marc by Marc Jacobs, Theory and Mint. Only down side is sizes are limited. Act fast.