Some websites take invite-only shopping way too seriously. Since when did we need to apply (with a personal essay) to buy a blouse?

Sites like ReFashioner peak our interest a whole lot more. Branded as a ‘swap heaven’ this is the place to go to trade in your Margiela ankle booties for Balenciaga pumps that actually fit.

“Your mistakes and one-wear-wonders become valuable assets. Refresh your wardrobe without spending the earth.”

You’ll find all sorts of designer duds from Lanvin, Prada and Rick Owens, plus a smattering of vintage offerings.

Point, click and swap.

$5 fee is charged per swap; www.refashioner.com

Kate Middleton, Erin O’Connor, the Queen –British women pull of hats with such aplomb, don’t they?

After a two-year stint in London, Jillian Wood is back in Toronto making gorgeous fascinators (from $25) inspired by Britain’s hat heritage.

Some fabrics come from local stores (her mother owned a fabric store which is a great source for vintage remnants) while others, like her Liberty prints, come straight from the eponymous London store. She searches high and low for buttons and many are Czech vintage glass buttons. Feathers, tulle and lace make these headpieces ultra feminine.

Now all we need is the accent.

For a list of stockists visit www.loveheadmistress.com

A big part of shopping for vintage is the thrill of the hunt. Call us lazy, but these days, we’d rather leave the scavenging to the pros.

Enter Shrimpton Couture, an online boudoir of clean, re-conditioned and carefully curated vintage.

From Biba to Balmain to the amazing Geoffrey Beene, the site is brimming with an ever-rotating roster of big name designers—and big name shoppers like Courtney Love and Rachel Zoe. Our wish list is as long as the Nile, but there’s a red Chanel Jacket ($1,625) that belongs on our back.

Find bags, belts, scarves and baubles – such as the eclectic pieces from London based textile designer http://www.anitaquansah.com/ Anita Quansah.

Talk about thrill of the find.

www.shrimptoncouture.com
Read our interview with Shrimpton Couture founder, Cherie Federau, on our forum.

We’re placing bets on what Kate Moss wears to wed her rock-star boyfriend Jamie Hince; will it be a layered plissé Chloé dress, a sexy Roland Mouret sheath or something in ivory lace from her good pal Stella?

Find these frocks and more on Net-a-Porter’s new bridal portal. Packed with fabulous options for brides who’ve never dreamed in pink meringue, the boutique features gorgeous dresses and separates from Marc Jacobs, Jill Sander and Alber Elbaz, to name a few.

Shoes, (Pucci sandals, $690) jewellery (Tom Binns pearls, $1010) and lingerie (Jean Yu briefs, $355) are also available, and everything comes gift-wrapped in chic white boxes.

No fittings, no fuss. Now all you need is the rock star beau.

www.net-a-porter.com

If your man sat through Dear John you owe him big time.

Start with a sweater, scarf or hat from cool British brand, Folk. It’s one of the best independent labels out there, with gorgeous Peruvian cotton knits, resin coated overcoats, super soft shirts and boxy bomber jackets.

He’ll love you forever, and hey, you may even rope him into When in Rome.

At UPC, Lower Level, 128 1/2 Cumberland St., Toronto, 416-929-9209, www.upcboutique.com

Thank heavens for the fashion twitterati. For blow-by-blow reporting and photos directly from New York Fashion Week follow these twittering stars.

Name: The Moment
Bio: Where Style Meets Culture
Tweet: Fashion IQ Test: Which recent couture show was inspired by Avatar? A) Valentino B) Armani Privé C) Givenchy D) Elie Saab

Name: Women’s Wear Daily
Bio: The Official Women’s Wear Daily Twitter
Tweet: Rodarte outfitted 13 Olympians in custom-made, crocheted knit garments—including figure skater Johnny Weir.

Name: refinery29
Bio: Discovering the newest and best in style, shopping, and emerging trends from the runways to the streets
Tweet: The only way to describe this hairstyle is Richard Gere meets Ziggy Stardust. Yeah, weird.

Name: Cut Blog
Bio: New York Magazine's fashion blog
Tweet: We now present some denim manties.

Name: Joe Zee
Bio: Creative Director of ELLE Magazine, Stylist, Fashion Loudmouth, Backup Dancer
Tweet: Paris Jackson is major cute. She needs a cameo on 30 Rock playing a Tina Fey mini-me.

From Balmain-inspired chain epaulettes to oversized pads, shoulders have been getting some very special treatment of late.

We’re mad about these wearable harnesses (from $80) from New York-based fashion blogger, stylist and designer Zana Bayne. The three-tiered wings are made from leather, and give their wearer the strength and dynamism of a gladiator.

Now all we need is a shoulder massage when we get home from battle.

www.zanabayne.com 

Last week UK supermarket chain Tesco banned “nightwear” in their stores in response to mothers doing their shopping in pajamas after dropping off the kids at school.

Clearly they weren’t wearing Bamjamz. The new Canadian line of women's snooze-wear is chic enough to pass most dress codes. Made from an ultra-soft bamboo blend, the jammies are as comfortable as your ten-year old flannels, just better looking.

Now, if Julian Schnabel walked into Tesco would a manager turn him away?

At Holt Renfrew, 50 Bloor St. W., Toronto, 416-922-2333, www.holtrenfrew.com

What’s a stitch 'n bitch without a little yarn envy?

Turn up to your next shindig with bundles of Americo Original's beautiful yarns and you’ll certainly give the girls something to bitch about.

A Queen Street gem, the shop carries unique, handspun yarns (alpaca, wool, cotton) in piles of colours. You can also find custom knitwear patterns and accessories as well as customized leather couches, handbags, and boots all crafted with the finest Argentine leather.

Just make sure someone doesn’t swap their acrylic tat for your good stuff, or needles will fly.

Americo Original, 456 Queen St. W., Toronto, 416-777-9747, www.americo.ca

Even the most low maintenance girl can morph into an over-zealous bridezilla once she’s got her rock on.

Take the lead character in Beatrice Masini’s delightful picture book Here Comes the Bride. It tells the story of the sweet Filomena, a seamstress who spends all her time making wedding dresses for other women while dreaming of becoming a bride herself.

When Rusty the mechanic finally proposes her chance to create the most magnificent gown arrives. But between the tulle and the flowers and the sequins and bows, the lovely Filomena disappears into a giant Ile Flottante that scares even the groom away.

Of course, all ends well, and with a simple, yet meaningful moral. The perfect gift for a bride(zilla)-to-be.

$14.43 at Amazon.ca.