Where you found it: Macy's at Ala Moana Center, in the junior's ThIsIt section

Cost: $59

Where else you shopped: Abercrombie & Fitch, Arden B., Gap, Banana Republic, Barneys New York, girlshop.com

Was it your dream item? If not, did you have a dream item you couldn't afford? "I found my dream jacket at www.girlshop.com: It's a silk tweed blazer with blue, white and purple ribbon detail, at $497. Perhaps a bit too pricey for my pocketbook."

How you'll wear it: "The chocolate jacket with a silver rose brooch over a maroon silk/lace camisole. Pair it with cropped dark denim jeans and silver metallic ballet flats. Possibly a newsboy hat? Or same top and jacket with an A-line flared vintage skirt and chocolate suede ballet flats. Or subtract the brooch and add a cute little neck scarf."

How NOT to wear it: "Don't pair it with any style of dress; it becomes too much of a statement."

BROOCHES

Name: Willow Chang

Where you found it: "It was a gift from an old boyfriend, but I know he found it at Riches Kahala. It's by New York designers Jose and Maria Barrera."

Cost: Don't know.

Where else you shopped: "I saw some fabulous brooches at the Collectibles Show in July at the Blaisdell, as well as at vintage stores and on e-Bay."

Was it your dream item? If not, did you have a dream item you couldn't afford? "Yes, I coveted this signature piece for some time. I was surprised to receive it as a birthday gift. It's elegant; it has motion to the design; it has subtle color gradations and brims with the exotic!"

How you'll wear it:

• At the shoulder or on the hip (I love asymmetry).

• On jackets, evening wear, sweaters, denim, suits or blazers, dresses, skirts or scarves, cinching a headband (turban style) or clipped to a cloth bag.

• With pearls or chains à la bolo tie (at the nape of the neck, gathering the strands together).

How NOT to wear it:

• Don't use it on flimsy fabric that won't support the weight. (Here's a secret: Bra straps can double as support for pins.)

• Don't have jewelry "compete" — a very large brooch doesn't need chandelier earrings.

THE SECRETARY BLOUSE

Name: Melissa May

Where you found it: at a vintage store in New York.

Cost: $12

Where else you shopped: Marc Jacobs, Banana Republic, thrift stores

Was it your dream item? If not, did you have a dream item you couldn't afford? "This is my dream blouse because I love the color. The fit isn't perfect, but oh, well."

How you'll wear it: "Combine it with other fall trends and vintage-inspired accessories for a 'librarian chic' look ... (i.e., a pencil skirt, brooches, a fitted jacket or beaded cardigan, faux-croc pumps, seamed or fishnet stockings, and librarian spectacles or fishbowl-sized sunglasses). You can also pair it with nicely tailored skirts or wide-leg slacks, and by all means play with different ways of tying the scarf."

How NOT to wear it: "Don't attempt to dress it down by wearing it with jeans or shorts; consider it a piece that allows you to display your relentless feminine side (wink)."

FEMININE DRESSING

Name: Tiffany Hsu

Where you found it: Le Lotus Bleu

Cost: top: $22, skirt: $32

Where else you shopped: Macy's, Wet Seal

Was it your dream item? If not, did you have a dream item you couldn't afford? "It's not my dream item, because I usually prefer brighter summer colors rather than fall colors. But, hey, it's fall! I love the top because it's fun, feminine and comfortable."

How you'll wear it: "I'll always wear it with heels. The top can also be worn with jeans or a denim skirt."

How NOT to wear it: "Don't wear big jewelry with this look. No jacket, no flats and definitely no slippers."

BALLET FLATS

Name: Heather Meulemans

Where you found it: Savers

Cost: $10

Where else you shopped: "I look everywhere for good ballet flats. I have about three pairs in different variations."

Was it your dream item? If not, did you have a dream item you couldn't afford? "Yes, it was my dream item! I looked everywhere for ballet flats with bows and I found them in Savers, of all places. They hadn't been worn."

How you'll wear it: "I love them with fuller skirts to balance the look. They're great with my cuffed jeans and capris. I walk a lot, and they're comfortable mile after mile."

How NOT to wear it: "They might disappear under long, baggy slacks, since they're a delicate shoe. Honestly, they look good with most outfits, though."

BOY MEETS GIRL

Name: Sherry Chock Wong

Where you found it:

• Vintage fedora from Darlene Mandel at the Collectibles Show ($20)

• Orange silk camisole from Banana Republic ($8.97)

• Gray flannel-look trousers by Morgan de Toi (purchased in Hong Kong) ($55)

• Tweed shoes by Isabella Fiore from Off 5th ($89)

Where else you shopped: Goodwill

Was it your dream item? If not, did you have a dream item you couldn't afford? "I love the fedora; the color is great and the price was right. I would love to own a real Panama fedora, but I think they run anywhere from $100 and up for the superfine hats. I'm currently performing in Manoa Valley Theatre's production of 'My Way,' a musical tribute to Frank Sinatra, and I'm so inspired by his music and style."

How you'll wear it: "Mix it up! I like to pair the traditionally masculine with girly pieces to emphasize my femininity. Here, I wore a man's fedora with a silk cami and pearls. I also have on pants in a gray flannel-look fabric, but cut to flatter a woman's shape. The pumps are curvy ... with a heel and floral appliqué, but in tweedy menswear material.

"There are several ways to mix it up: One is to wear a feminine item, such as a handbag or a skirt or a pair of pumps, in a menswear-inspired fabric like herringbone or tweed. Another is to pair a masculine item, such as a fedora or a man's crisp, white shirt, with something feminine, like beautiful jewelry. You can also wear a man's suit, vest or trousers cut to flatter feminine curves."

How NOT to wear it: "There are no hard and fast rules; wear what you feel good in and the resulting air of confidence you carry will complete the look."

THE SECRETARY SKIRT

Name: Amy DeFilippi

Where you found it: Pzazz! Consignment Store

Cost: $25

Where else you shopped: New York boutiques

Was it your dream item? If not, did you have a dream item you couldn't afford? "If it was Prada and had a matching jacket, it would have been my dream item."

How you'll wear it: "Here I'm wearing it with a pink lace shirt from Under a Hula Moon ... with a black cami I bought in Australia and chandelier earrings made by Honolulu designer Ani Young of Ani Art, and my grandmother's truly vintage pumps with a bow.

"But really, this skirt can be worn anytime, anywhere ... with a lace shirt out at night, or with a T-shirt and slippers to the beach, or with a button-down shirt to a job interview. It's a great, versatile staple for fall. This skirt is modern but reminiscent of the '50s, which is why it meshes so well with vintage items."

When NOT to wear it: "Any time you're going to be doing any athletic endeavors, don't wear this skirt. I fell off my bike on University Avenue and couldn't get back up!"