Instead of buying fancy new dresses for the holiday party circuit, recessionistas (and savvy fashionistas) are opting for beautiful vintage dresses. Not only are these gorgeous vintage finds great for your pocketbook, the quality is often better than that of modern--and often disposable--ready to wear clothes. Plus, re-using vintage clothes is good for the environment--and you'll never face dress-duplication issues when you're out at a party.

Vintage Clothing at eBay: 50s Chartreuse Chiffon Cocktail Dress, 70s Malcom Starr Silk Chiffon Ruffle Dress, 50s Floral Chiffon Shelf Bust Party Dress.

What to look for when buying vintage?

Seams & Hardware: Both the seamlines and the hardware give clues as to how well made the dress is. Zippers should zip cleanly, buttons should move smoothly in and out of the buttonholes. As for the seams, you shouldn't see tearing or stretching. Better garments will feature cleanly sewn interior seams

Fit: If the dress doesn't fit right, don't buy it. Or at least factor in the cost of taking it to your tailor. This holds true for both new items and vintage garments.

Label: If you're going to hold on to your dress for the forseeable future, the designer of your dress doesn't really matter. However, if you want to resell your dress, keep in mind that clothing from better known designers will hold their value better.

Wear and Tear: If your dress is like new, great. But if the item has significant wear and tear (e.g. stretching, tearing, sagging, and/or fading), you may or may not want to restore it. Keep in mind that mildew and moth holes are irreversible.

Stains: Because vintage clothes are pre-worn, they occasionally come with stains--usually from perspiration or mildew. Consider the location, size, and reversibility of the stain when you're thinking about buying.

Contributing Editor Trisha Okubo also writes at Omiru: Style for All, an award winning fashion blog about real style for real people.