When the going gets tough, the tough gets going - to the wet markets where next to fresh meat and fish lie fashion bargains aplenty to cheer up any fashionista faced with having to tighten her (Ferragamo) belt.

I can cheerfully report news of fab finds after being tasked to go shopping at three markets - Tiong Bahru, Chinatown Complex and the Golden Mile Food Complex aka Army Market.

The challenge? Piece together an outfit at each location for $50 or less. The idea was to convince fashionistas to take the budget route without compromising on style.

It was an occasion I happily rose to.

While I have discerning taste, I'm also a retail rat with a knack for sniffing out a good buy. I scored my first denim jacket for $25 as an 11-year-old over a decade ago at the then-ramshackle Tiong Bahru Market. I worked the ballerina flat look as early as 10 years ago with simple canvas slip-ons - popular among Ah Mahs - which cost just $5 from a stall in Chinatown.

So you can imagine my delight when, within 15 minutes of hitting Tiong Bahru last week, I had my eyes set on no less than four stalls. What I wasn't prepared for were the prices these days - some items were over $100. It might be for an ornate pair of leather Mary Janes but I didn't come here to pay boutique prices.

The beauty of wet market shopping, however, is that you can bargain and I successfully snagged three items for a steal in mangled Mandarin.

Over at Chinatown Complex, I ran riot in the maze-like complex, spoilt for choice.

I was then off to invade Army Market where I spent more time gazing at army boots than anything a la mode. I was about to surrender when I rediscovered the vintage vault that is Dani's Shop and immediately fell in love with a $35 dress that could pass off as a Marc Jacobs number.

Forget the malls, the wet market is where it's hot.

TIONG BAHRU MARKET AND HAWKER CENTRE
30 Seng Poh Road

Thanks to a revamp that was completed in 2006, this market has gone from grimy to airy. A visit to its retail shops on the first floor now feels more Far East Plaza than pre-war Far East.

Some stalls are even done up like mini-boutiques, minus the air-con. Most store owners are friendly and accommodating - something some Orchard Road sales staff could take a cue from.

In under an hour, I snagged a vintage-style polyester blouse, a cotton plaid dress I've been told looks like it's from French cult denim label APC, and my chosen look, all for just over $50. No wonder they say Tiong Bahru is getting hipper.

The look (right)
Cotton low-back tunic, $15 (on sale, reduced from $32.90), from Miss Right Fashion; plastic wedges, $17 (discounted from $20), from a shoe shop with no name; cotton tights, metal chain and acetate bangle, my own

Miss Right Fashion
01-258, open daily, 8am to 4pm

Price range: $9.90 for a plain tank top to over $40 for an embellished dress

Verdict: Among plain basics, available in many colours, you'll find the likes of cotton blouses with clown collars and breezy cotton dresses with cute animal prints that are sourced from Hong Kong. Be impressed by the fine cutting.

Nameless clothing shop
01-225, open daily, 7.30am to 2pm

Price range: $15 for a plain tank top to $110 for a chiffon cocktail dress

Verdict: The prices at this charming corner stall are steep compared to those at its less hip-looking neighbours, but it has gems like a silk blouse and a plaid chiffon dress that would look right at home on the streets of style capital Tokyo.

Nameless shoe shop
01-229, open daily, 8am to 3pm

Price range: $10 for a pair of slippers to $33 for a pair of boots

Verdict: Looks like any trendy shoe shop at Far East Plaza with comparable prices. The shoes are surprisingly comfy, the store owner ever-so-friendly. No wonder there was a constant stream of customers.

CHINATOWN COMPLEX MARKET AND FOOD CENTRE
335 Smith Street

Step into this building renovated in 2006 and you are hit by a distinctive whiff of fish from the wet market downstairs. Still, no fashionista can afford to be finicky when she is fishing for a bargain. The colourful maze of retail shops on the first floor will hook any budget-conscious shopper.

Despite the sticky floors, stalls are neat and boast a variety of designs. My spoils: blue wellingtons for $10, a jersey knitted top for $5, an oversized printed tee for $8... and that's not including my chosen look.

Why fly to Bangkok for the famed Chatuchak weekend market when you've got a version of it right here? It's less messy too.

The look (right)
Two-piece cotton top, $15 (discounted from $20), from nameless shop; wide-legged denim trousers with belt, $30 (discounted from $42.90), from Joy's Apparel; canvas opera shoes, $5, from nameless shoe shop

Fullstyle
01-102, open daily, 10.30am to 8pm

Price range: $9.90 to $38.90 for a cotton dress, depending on print and embellishment

Verdict: It's hard to ignore this store's baggy dresses that can be described as Yohji Yamamoto meets Comme des Garcons gone Target. Designs are sourced from Korea, Hong Kong and China. A sure hit with Mischa Barton types.

Nameless clothing shop
01-126, open daily, noon to 8pm

Price range: $3 for a 1960s-style spandex halter to $20 for a dress

Verdict: Japanese-style tops are already on hefty discounts at this month-old store located in a quiet corner of the sprawling market. The stall owner has not decided how often there will be sales. We're hoping it will be a regular affair.

Joy's Apparel
01-233, open daily, 10am to 9pm

Price range: $10 for printed tights to $59.90 for a cocktail dress

Verdict: Look past the acid-coloured designs that seem like high-street rip-offs and zero in on statement pieces displayed on the wall. These include a monochrome fishscale bag, girly cotton tunics and candy-coloured patent belts.

GOLDEN MILE FOOD CENTRE AKA ARMY MARKET
505 Beach Road

In the late 1990s, this double-storey building was hailed as a vintage haven and the most fashionable market around. It was also the birthplace of popular local T-shirt label Fourskin.

Going by my visit there last week, however, it seems to have gone back to being a sleepy joint catering to the needs of national servicemen.

You have to look hard for a good buy. Still, it is worth soldiering on - I did manage to score some interesting finds.

The look (right)
Vintage 1970s polyester dress, $35, from Dani's Shop, 02-167; plastic glasses, my own

Dani's shop
02-167, open daily, 3 to 7pm

Price range: $15 for a bag to over $100 for a big suitcase

Verdict: Located in a quiet corner, Dani's is a hidden gem jammed with genuine vintage wares sourced from the region that are in relatively good or new condition.

Lian Shing
02-140, open daily, 1.30 to 11pm

Price range: $4 for a singlet to $25 for coloured jeans

Verdict: Look beyond the army uniforms and you?ll find basics like singlets and skinny jeans in every colour, going cheap. We even spotted a punk-style checked jacket in pleather for about $30.

3rd Stop
02-183, open daily, 2.30 to 8pm

Price range: $10 for a printed tank top to $45 for a denim jumper

Verdict: Those familiar with wholesale stores in Bangkok would find the stuff here overpriced. It has a good range of girly tops, though, including cotton blouses and interesting party tops.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on Aug 29, 2008.