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With numerous foreclosures, lay-offs and rumors of a recession floating around San Diego, it's time to investigate how to look fabulous on a budget.

The triple digit dollar dress is no longer the best choice, especially when you can get something similar for a quarter of the price. Sure it may not last through many wears, but how often do you repeatedly don a single dress? After all, great deals on fashion are always in style.

For a night out at the upscale lounges in Pacific Beach, stylish bars in North Park and clubs in Gaslamp, you will want to wear a dress. I recommend checking out the hot numbers at LA Rack downtown or in Pacific Beach. This week, there is a stunning frock at LA Rack for under $25, with a satin black skirt and sleeveless white top, with layered pleats down the center front like a tuxedo shirt - a classically chic look.

From there you will want to stop into Pink Zone in Pacific Beach or La Jolla to pick up two textured gold bangles ($2 each) to wear high on your forearm, and a pair of metallic heels. In particular, they have a pair of tall peek-a-boos heels with three thick stripes of silver, gold and pewter for $20. To add color to the sterile look of black, white and metallic, look on their purse wall and pick up an emerald green clutch for $15.

You need to then finish accessorizing with a giant gold and black ring for $14 and big gold earrings for $8 from Fresh Boutique further east on Garnet. You will notice you won't need a necklace with this outfit. Since the top of the dress is already so interesting, it is more balanced to do big earrings instead of any necklace with studs in the ear. Víola.

You are now ready to wow San Diego club patrons in your stunning attire with $10 left over to purchase an overpriced cocktail.

For more San Diego fashion advice or a wardrobe consultation with a personal stylist in San Diego, visit vanessavaliente.com.