Q A close friend is really, really into expensive designer stuff and her birthday is coming up soon. However, splurging on luxe labels is out of my budget range. What should I get her?

A Instead of shelling out for an It bag, give her something else stylish to carry, like a book titled Bringing Home The Birkin: My Life In Hot Pursuit Of The World's Most Coveted Handbag ($45.72).

It is a first-hand account from former hairstylist and make-up artist Michael Tonello on how he managed to lay his hands on the coveted Hermes bag.

You could also buy a budget-friendly gift from www.nosideup.etsy.com, which stocks gently irreverent canvas totes boasting sketches of It bags such as Louis Vuitton's Speedy and Chanel's 2.55 (prices start from US$15).

Other great gift ideas are beautiful style-related books such as The New York Look Book: A Gallery Of Street Fashion ($46.44) and The Sartorialist ($321, all books from Books Kinokuniya). These titles capture, through photos, the styles of regular Joes and Janes all over the world who know just how to make their outfits stand out.

There may be no designer labels attached to these items but any fashion-lover worth his or her salt would love to have these stylish items.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times.