When rifling through the spectacular offerings at vintage fashion store Reign on Oxford's Cowley Road, I realised that the once definitive boundaries between style and savings have now been conveniently blurred and that a limited budget was no barrier to achieving top to toe glamour. From a silver dress that invoked the glory days of the 1920s flapper, to the baby pink pleated skirt and cream cardi combo that screams tennis chic, every outfit du mode is yours for the taking at prices that would put the high street to shame.

Delving into the depths of your wash basket in the hope last year's item of the moment will make a timely reappearance is not something any of us want to admit doing and, thankfully, there are a number of creative ways to upgrade your fashion status to 'catwalk cool'. Here's how:
Go back in time

A fashion revival is always on the cards. By picking up an outfit from the forties, fifties, sixties or any other decade at your local charity shop you could stay ahead of the fashion game in a rather bizarre manner effectively pre-empting the season's next big thing.

The great thing about pressing the fashionista rewind button is that you can boost your wardrobe's offerings with the help of your dear old mum. A friend of mine has been turning out outfit after head-turning outfit thanks to the quality hand me downs she's inherited (or 'borrowed') from her mother.

Think real leather knee-high boots, a swinging sixties shift dress and more than one 'goes with everything' accessory. After all fashion in times gone by was built to last and who better to continue the legacy of your mother's impeccable style than you?

Give swishing a go

If you're a self-declared fashion hoarder, then swishing could be just the catalyst you need to create the capsule wardrobe of your dreams. Swishing is a delightfully simple concept: simply divide your wardrobe into a yes or no pile and trade in the relics of your fashion past for something that is decidedly fashion forward.

Although this may be easier to do online, hosting a swishing party, where friends each bring along an item to swap, offers the ideal chance to exchange style tips and indulge in a few glasses of bubbly.

Stock up at sales

Sales are the best time to stock up on expensive items that you have been dying to get your hands on all year. Although it may take some time to get used to a shopping schedule dictated by the ebbs and flows of sale season, when your wardrobe is full to bursting with choice offerings all your concerns will disappear in flash. The Next Boxing Day bonanza should definitely feature on your list of 'must-visit' mega sales.

Become a savvy shopper

As a teenager, with a fashion spend of no more than £10 to my name, markets were definitely hot spots for cheap and cheerful fashion offerings. From a pair of distressed denims to a girly floral dress, no fashion challenge was too big or too small for stall holders. As an added bonus, the great art of haggling should be welcomed with open arms at the UK's markets. What started out as a cut-price buy will soon turn into a purchase that will consign all memories of the credit crunch firmly to the past.

Your fashion savings should soon add up leaving even more in the pot for that on-trend item you've been eyeing up for the past few weeks.