(Photo: Courtesy of Forever 21)

• Black Opaque Tights

• Club Monaco

  121 Prince St., nr. Wooster St.; 212-533-8930; and seven other locations

  These go for $50 and up at many stores; Club Monaco’s are the perfect weight, density, and silkiness for what’s become a fundamental layering piece, at a sane price.
  Cost: $26

• Men’s Watches

• Timex T2M562

  Target, 139 Flatbush Ave., nr. Atlantic Ave., Boerum Hill; 718-290-1109

  Substantial and impressive, this gold-toned Timex watch is a lot more expensive-looking than its price tag.
  Cost: $75

• Flowered Summer Dress

• Forever 21

  40 E. 14th St., nr. University Pl.; 212-228-0598; and two other locations

  At this price, you can have an entire wardrobe of cheery floral prints.
  Cost: $15.99

• Costume Jewelry

• Lord & Taylor

  424 Fifth Ave., at 38th St.; 212-391-3344

  The selection is younger and hipper than you might think, like enamel bangles and swingy chandelier earrings.
  Cost: under $20

• Embellished Tops

• Eryn Brinié

  501 Broadway, nr. Broome St.; 212-625-9300

  The newest of the fast-fashion chains. Its wafty embellished tops have a lot of style for their price.
  Cost: from $50

• Scarves

• Madewell

  486 Broadway, nr. Broome St.; 212-226-6954

  You can pay more for the long, loopy, colorful scarves now accessorizing every outfit, but why?
  Cost: from $28

• Women’s Underwear

• Hanky Panky Sample Sale

  No location yet; 212-725-4996 for information

  Maker of the beloved low-rise stretchy lace thong, Hanky Panky has a sample sale once a year. It’s worth waiting till next December to stock up.
  Cost: $10 (normally $18)

• Men’s Underwear

• Century 21

  22 Cortlandt St., nr. Church St.; 212-227-9092

  Jockey, Calvin Klein, and 2(x)ist—all the good names are here, at prices that encourage bulk-buying.
  Cost: from $2.99

From the 2009 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine