Gay men love individual style and fashion, but we don't always have the fat pockets to pull it off. There is a way, however, to look like a million bucks, without spending it.

Shop High End.

Most of the budget conscious avoid high end department stores or designer shops because of their expensive reputation. I hear many gawk, as if the front door is an invisible line of wealth and status. To the contrary, many high end stores either have outlet centers or offer year round clearance sales on high fashion items. If you are used to shopping in bargain stores, step it up a notch and try a higher end store. Keep your head high and walk straight to the rear sales rack. Who cares if that Ralph Lauren down-stuffed leather vest was last season? It's marked down 75 percent, and you still look like it's super high price tag.

Think Boring, Find Excitement.

I find some of my best gear in the most unexpected places at the most fantastic prices.
Clothing styles, sizes and colors are usually shelved regionally. One area may carry bigger sizes or wilder colors depending on the customer demographic. This may sound fishy, but use it to your advantage. Know your region by simply paying attention to the types of clothes in the your area stores and the stores in a nearby town. Shop at the location the farthest from your fashion taste. That's where you will find those few items that you like but the local shoppers refuse to buy

I personally like the well-cut, mostly solid color piece that few others have. For that reason, I target higher end stores in nondescript neighborhoods (ie. a suburb not well known for it's artistic style). Usually, my rare items are the last to be purchased by these safe shoppers, so
they are always on sale.
The Salvation Armani.

I have a friend that shops exclusively at second hand, resale or vintage shops. His favorite is the Salvation Army, which he dubbed Salvation Armani. You don't have to be a second hand frequent shopper to appreciate the good finds. Even if the store's moth ball smell isn't your thing, spending a few minutes in a resale shop can uncover a gold mine. I've paid hundreds of dollars on single fashion threads only to be complimented the most on the 3 dollar polyester shirt I bought at a resale shop years ago. You may have to dig for good finds, but that one hot item is worth the effort.

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