STYLE : FASHION : Swap ‘Til You Drop : Off-the-Rack Fantasy

There are two terrific things about shopping at swap meets: the great prices and the irresistible selection. The former are negotiable; the latter is endless. At swap meets with new merchandise, you’ll find everything from $60 silk dresses to $5 workman’s overalls. Children’s clothes are a real bargain, too--shorts for $2, three T-shirts for $10.

When it comes to antique clothing, the Rose Bowl Flea Market and Swap Meet is a place for fantasy and imagination. If you want to follow a trend, you’ll find the authentic version. Take the current craze for sheerness. There are gossamer dresses and slips from the ‘20s through the ‘40s, mostly silk with delicate hand-stitched detailing, that range from $25 to about $150. Other popular items include vintage summer hats, anything Western--like boots, belts, shirts worn-out jeans--and jewelry, especially Indian turquoise and delicate earrings from the turn of the century. Then there are those really special finds that you’re never looking for but, suddenly, there they are, and you’ve got to have them. Like an embroidered tulle wedding dress for $250, an alligator handbag for $75, a Mexican skirt a la Frida Kahlo for $35 and a ‘50s silk kimono for even less.

Be sure to check for flaws and try items on (but don’t expect dressing rooms). Finally, feel free to bargain: A $10-to-$15 reduction is not unusual.

Hair and makeup: Lucy Baldock/ Celestine; model: Diana Jorge.