ARCHIVES

Golden tickets: Head-to-toe gold is strictly for unlucky Bond girls, but polished accents are this fall's fashion currency -- and won't use up your Sacagawea dollars.

Textbook cases: Your label-conscious kids are thinking about school bags. But don't panic: These colorful packs will take the weight off your shoulders.

Save face: Wear your heirloom to job interviews and parties -- and these charmers to the beach or on the tennis court. As every athlete knows, style is all in the wrist.

This week's highlights: A fab haircut doesn't require a second mortgage or months on a waiting list: These stylists are pros at budget cutting.

Alter boys: Alongside NoLIta's fashion boutiques, a satellite industry thrives: the local guys who can make those hip-huggers really hug.

Straw votes: Surf, salt, and sunblock won't wreck these grown-up sand pails -- and at these prices, you won't have to dig too deep.

Little nonblack dresses: Though you may wear these sunny summer slips every day, they're anything but basic. And they're the best way to show off a tan.

Makeup lessons: Fendi may be beyond your reach, but you needn't be left holding the bag. These under-$60 pouches perform in the clutch.

Water, water everywhere: Swimming and sunning aren't just for summer sharers. Avoid the crowds at our favorite day-rate dunks, where R&R meets H₂O.

Table for $200: Stefan Beckman sets Calvin Klein's table (in the ads, anyway). We asked him to do ours, for the summer, on a budget. You provide the iced tea.