Sometimes designer labels are unaffordable and its difficult for college-goers and working people too. And for everyday wear designer labels are not appropriate, so one has to look for other options. In Delhi its easy to dress in affordable but at the same time trendy and elegant outfits. A new look, which is affordable and at the same time classy, can do wonders for your image.

Let's start with the hair. Long hair is in, you can braid your hair into small strands, bead it, or may be adorn it with some nice ethnic Jura pins available at Dilli Haat priced at Rs 20, or colour some streaks of your crowning glory. Alternatively you can tie it into a nice French knot, with a butterfly clip or make a nice top pony tail with other hair accessories available at the local stores.

As for the dress, the place to shop definitely is Sarojini Nagar. Be it long flowy dresses, wraparounds, spaghetti straps, tops etc. They have the trendiest of outfits and the best part is the scope for bargaining. A top can cost you Rs 45, a dress at Rs 125; wraparounds come for Rs 85.

Another place for all this 'sasta' stuff is Janpath. But the Tibetan Monastery stands apart with its range of cargo's, T-shirts and Jeans. The stuff available at these markets comes anywhere between Rs 25 to Rs 400 and looks cool. Sometimes if you are lucky, you can find a nice formal outfit too at Rs 350.

Local varieties of jeans can be bought from lesser-known companies like Charlie or Guess and also made to order from Mohan Singh Place for Rs 350-550. For ethnic stuff, the right place is Central market at Lajpat Nagar, Rajouri Garden Market or the Reghar Pura market in Karol Bagh. You can pick up ready-made suits in georgette and cotton. Suit lengths and pieces are also available if you want to give it a 'designer touch'. A whole lot of variety is available in handloom, cotton prints, block and handprints and crepes. The prices are from Rs 150 to Rs 750 and it suits the budget of an average college- goer.

Another place to check out for some nice prints is Shankar Market in Cannought Place. You can pick up short kurtas from Janpath and style it with Jeans. Also make sure you have a churidar in basic colours black and off -white so that it can be matched with a variety of kurtas. Another place to buy Kurtas is Dilli Haat and Khadi Gram Udyog, but what beats them all are the Kurtas at Fab India. A must visit for the hippest stuff is The People Tree at the Regal building.

Then comes accessories, which enhances the look. Create your own style, how about a nice white Kurta- Churidar combined with some silver jewellery. For college students who are always tight on cash, junk jewellery is the ultimate. From baju bandhs, trinkets, anklets, tops to sleek bracelets, bangles and chains. Junk Jewelry is available at Janpath and Dilli Haat, G.K.-I tops in the newest of range. The prices range from Rs 20 to Rs 500, it looks chunky, smart and the best part about junk jewellery is that it can be worn both with western and Indian ensemble.

As for shoes, comfort is the main factor. Floaters are the safest bet and cost anywhere between Rs 150-500. Shoes available at Sarojini Nagar and Karol Bagh are affordable at Rs 150 to Rs 300. Jutties and Kolhapuri chappals (Rs 150) look cool and come at a nominal price can be had from Janpath. Also a pair of sneakers at the local market can be had for Rs 350.

Mehendi tattoos are very in this season, from shoulders to navel and even the collarbone, so get the adventurous streak and go for it. They cost anywhere between Rs 20 to Rs 50 and make a definite style statement. Last but not the least, bags, which are important for any college goer. Janpath offers a wide range, from cotton, jute to denim. Alternatively you can also find some at Dilli Haat, Rajouri Garden at an affordable price between Rs 100 to Rs 500. Jholas look smart, but a sleek handbag can give that classy look. Waist and back bags are also hot this season. Make sure to get a hep one.

There are many other things, which are important for a campus dude and dudette. A snazzy pair of sunglasses can be bought for Rs 75 for a local pair, but the branded ones come at a high price tag. Wallets, watches, deodorants, all can be bought at a low price from the local outlets. So it's not necessary to shell out extra bucks. With the right attitude, the right choice and the will to economize, one can save a lot of precious dough.

'Dress for Less' is the mantra to be kept in mind while shopping - and I hope you have a ball of a time doing that.

- Text and Pics from Jyoti Narang