Get glam for the holidays — on any budget

If you're like me, each holiday-party invitation that finds its way into my e-mail inbox or mail box triggers a shopping trip (or two). It's not that my closet lacks festive attire, it's just that, well, what's a holiday party without something new? I'll be honest, I don't have a bank account of steel, so I've taken to mixing lovely one-of-a-kind pieces with, shall we say, bargain-basement finds. Now that this season's holiday invitations are starting to filter in, I decided it was time to search the city for the best in holiday glitz and glam. And unlike my mother's Christmas-cookie recipes, I'm not keeping my discoveries under lock and key.

DRESSES

Just ask anyone in the fashion industry: If you're going to splurge on something, better do it on a dress. Though some call it the "center of the universe," Fremont is also a pretty decent place to go dress shopping. I recently poked my head into Dream, and I couldn't take my eyes off a (spendy) gold Rose and Lulu silk dress ($285). If you happen to drop in when store owner Neil Silverman is minding the shop, get ready for a memorable experience. Flamboyant and friendly, he'll custom select holiday pieces for you and dress you in the season's finest.

At Olivine Atelier, an upscale women's boutique in Ballard, I also found several stunning dresses, including a pink satin number by Corey Lynn Calter ($202).

Not into spending a quarter of your rent payment on a slinky strapless? Here's my secret weapon: T.J. Maxx. Sometimes you have to dig a little, but this discount chain store is worth a visit. On a recent trip, I found a variety of dresses ranging from metallic silver to black sequin — and for as low as $39. Even Santa can't do better than that!

TOPS

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Westin Wear tank top; $92.

The next best thing to a glitzy dress is a sparkly top layered with a wrap or shrug. Olivine Atelier carries several pricey numbers, but I was drawn to the burgundy-colored Westin Wear tank with rhinestone spaghetti straps ($92). In the Ravenna neighborhood, just around the corner from Whole Foods Market, is Shirazi, a women's clothing store that's filled with reasonably priced dresses, separates, and accessories with exotic flair. For just $39, you can pick up an olive-green halter with beads and other embellishments (perfect for that New Year's soirée). The discount store Marshalls, just a short drive up Aurora Avenue North, is also packed with festive camisoles that start at $9.99.

WRAPS

Though Les Amis is known for racks of snazzy dresses and tops from designers such as Dosa, Wyeth and Raze Nichols, you'll also find fun crinkled wraps by Knits and Leather ($52) in colors ranging from reds and pinks to purples and blues, all of which work well draped over your shoulders. The black sequined Nanette Lepore shrug ($148) looks great over a dress or sparkly top, but here's a note to bargain shoppers: You can pick up an equally cute silver variety at T.J. Maxx for $16.99 — just without the fancy label.

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Sweet Romance antique necklace; $132.

BLING

One of the things I love about the holidays is all the extra excuses to wear lavish rhinestone necklaces and earrings. I'm a sucker for jewelry with an antique flair, and the eclectic Fremont boutique Enexile has plenty to choose from, such as rhinestone necklaces with glass pearls (ranging from $30 to more than $200), like the gorgeous one by Sweet Romance ($132).

Consignment stores are also excellent places to find jewelry. I paid a visit to Labels in Phinney Ridge, where I found a surprisingly ample selection of used jewelry — everything from gaudy costume pieces to some pretty fantastic sterling-silver finds — all priced below $10.95. And for some reason, I can't seem to read a fashion magazine this season without spotting models adorned in long gold chains. You can pay upwards of $500 to get the look with Dream's Cousin Claudine chains, or find something comparable at Undies and Outies, where one will set you back only $55.

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A bead-and-sequin-clad handbag at Shirazi.

HANDBAGS

Now's the time to reach for bags with a little personality — glitter, beads and sparkle. You can find some lovely one-of-a-kind varieties at Ballard's handmade-only boutique, Velouria. The store carries a line by Rikarika made from vintage kimono silk ($99-150). Shirazi also has several bead-and-sequin-clad handbags that are equally gorgeous, but for half the price at $42-$49.

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