Recessionistas know that summertime means you can look fabulous with dirt-cheap flip-flops, gladiator sandals, short-shorts, and more.

Everyone’s definition of broke is different, especially in Vancouver. There’s “Looks like we’re gonna have to ride out the recession before we can flip those condos. And we should probably cut back on buying Fluffy so many matching Burberry collar/jacket sets while we’re at it.”

And then there’s “Can I borrow some bus fare so I can get to work?” If you’ve ever uttered the latter phrase, there’s a good chance you’re a freelance writer. Welcome to my world!

The first thing you need to learn (if you’re fool enough to choose creative fulfillment over financial security) is shopping on the cheap. So what if you’ll never own a house? You still deserve to look as stylin’ as possible. And you can do this with pieces that cost 20 bucks or less. You just need to know where to shop.

There are always consignment stores, but with these you run the risk of being lured away from the sale rack to the previously loved designer rack (mmmm, half-price Juicy Couture). And if you cave there, you could paint yourself into a financially sticky situation (re: bus fare loan). Of course, there are garage sales. But alas, in these tough times, everything’s picked over by 10 a.m. and we recessionistas need our beauty sleep on the weekends anyhow, so that’s out.

Where does that leave us?

Fortunately, if there’s one season in which we can get away with cheap, trendy garb, it’s summer. (Come fall we’re hooped, but let’s not go there right now.)

First stop: the Army & Navy at 36 West Cordova Street. At this one-stop-shopping discount store, not only can you score great deals on shoes—like the brown leather strappy wood wedgies I picked up for $4.99!—you can also pick up some Spam for, like, next to nothing. (No wonder Army & Navy is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year.) There are also some cute separates on offer, such as a no-name silky yellow and purple tie-dyed tunic tank with an elasticized bust ($19.99)—very Jessica Alba.

As for wardrobe staples, there’s a decent selection of stretchy cargo capris with drawstring cuffs ($7.99 to $11.99) to sift through. At that price, the cost per wear works out to about 50 cents. When it comes to accessorizing a bohemian look, there’s a huge selection of gold hoops ($3.99 to $13.99).

Next stop is the Urban Planet at 2912 Granville Street. Check out the pleather gladiator sandals for $14.99. And if you’ve got the legs, they have a great selection of safari khaki and denim short-shorts to choose from ($14.99 to $19.99). You can also go crazy with the wide variety of bright and breezy lacy-strapped tanks (three for $15), basics you can never have too many of during the summer months. Top it off with an always-chic fedora—they’ve got a really cute black straw number with a zebra-print band on for only $12.50 right now.

Finally, we have our old reliable, Old Navy (various locations). You can rock the Bardot–in–Saint-Tropez vibe with some oversize vintage-inspired sunglasses ($14.50), gold flip-flops ($7.50), and a sweet animal-print beach towel ($14.50). If there’s an ocean breeze coming off the Riviera (or English Bay), wrap a leopard-print scarf ($14.50) around your neck and call it a day.

Or if you want to be really bold and go for Jodie Foster’s look in Taxi Driver, pick up a paisley bikini top from Old Navy ($17.50) and pair it with the aforementioned Army & Navy platforms and some Urban Planet denim short-shorts. Granted, the underage-prostitute look isn’t for everyone, but the point is that there are many ways to mix and match these dirt-cheap finds.

Happy summer, everyone! And here’s to being pretty and po’!