We sympathise. It’s month-end and all of your savings have been happily squandered during the Pujas. But that shouldn’t stop you from looking good. Here’s how:

• Borrow some fashion magazines and flip through the season’s glamour trends. Pick a dress with a great silhouette and a style that will flatter your figure. Then run to your neighbourhood darzi, and ask him to work his magic. Ahead of Diwali, he will say that he doesn’t have the time. So you will have to put in a bit of extra work to charm him into it. Remind him how faithful a customer you’ve been. You’ll have your dress in no time. It’s simple and very cost effective.

• Now for accessories. Shop for some funky beads — you’ll find some great ones dirt-cheap in New Market, off the pavements. String them together for a gypsy look. Don’t worry about earrings: this season you can make do with just one piece of jewellery.

• Invest in a stole or dupatta. A classy stole can pep up the drabbest of outfits.

• Never undermine the power of a belt. Slip one over a loose tunic and you’ll look like a million designer bucks.

• They still judge a man — and woman — by his shoes but now’s not the best time to splurge on footwear. So you will just have to give those ballerinas a miss for now. Casual chappals still look pretty good teamed with skirts. And floaters, like jeans, have become timeless.

How do you shop on a shoe-string budget? Tell t2@abpmail.com