MANILA, Philippines ? Not since the Great Depression has crisis fashion been so, well, in fashion.

Yet ?crisis fashion? doesn?t mean you dress up like you just stepped out of a garage sale or homeless shelter.

The solution to being a recessionista fashionista? Do the math for your wardrobe! Fashion plus economics equals Fashionomics.

Seek out shops that offer ?crisis prices.?

If there?s one local institution that has become a mecca for stylish bargain hunting, it?s?drum roll please?SM. Truly, as their now-classic ditty goes, they?ve got it all for you.

These days, even big-name designers like Proenza Schouler and Alexander McQueen are collaborating with American retailer Target for high fashion with accessible prices. Anna Sui is the next big name to join Target?s Designer Collaborations Series.

Even the Swedish retail giant H&M has fielded guest designers Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfeld, Viktor & Rolf and Roberto Cavalli.

Being on a budget has never been more in vogue. Besides, there?s nothing worse than designer clothes worn cheap. I say it?s always better to look like a million bucks even if you didn?t pay for it.

To prove my point, here is a colorful little folio of jewel-colored cocktail dresses?the perfect cure to a flagging wardrobe. They?re fun, sexy, and, best of all, they?re inexpensive, courtesy of SM.

Scour SM for fantastic accessories to spice up those cocktail dresses. And, lest we forget, trawl the wide array of footwear. Shoes, after all, are the building blocks of the SM empire.

Fashion is for all.

E-mail the author at jfashion@inquirer.com.ph