Paris Hilton or Angelina Jolie can probably tell the difference between a knockoff Gucci purse and the real deal, but what are the odds of running into somebody like that?

Most people are oblivious to the differences between authentic and knockoff products. About a year ago, I bought my mom a knockoff Gucci purse, and I can’t tell you how many compliments she’s received – “OMG, you have a Gucci!” It’s a very chic bag, made out of black leather with sequins and a gold G charm hanging on the front zipper.

Most of the time, real items and fakes look so similar that it’s impossible to tell which is which. So when it comes down to it, if it’s going to save you money (or if you can’t afford the original), a knockoff is definitely the way to go. Of course, you want to make sure your purchase isn’t too far off – for example, if you’re looking for a Chanel purse that only comes in black, but you find a knockoff red version, such a slip might give you away to some people.

You can shop for knockoffs online as well as in person – there are a ton of shops in downtown New York, for example, that offer these kinds of products.

With knockoffs, you can literally save yourself hundreds of dollars, if not thousands. And we’re not just talking jackets, shoes, and hats – there are knockoffs of everything, even jewelry!

In fact, a lot of your favorite clothing stores – both online and off – offer great sales, discounts, and coupons, you just need to know where to look.

One great way to stay up-to-date on the best bargains is to subscribe to a store’s email list or become a member of whatever rewards club is available. You might even hear about exclusive coupons and deals not available to regular shoppers. I am a member of the GAP, and probably every week I receive at least one really nice sale item or discount coupon.

Another money-saving strategy is to purchase items like the brands you love, as opposed to the brands themselves. Let’s say you find a pair of Jimmy Choos you really like – well, except for the $500 price tag.

Don’t fret! Browse online for a bit, and you should be able to find a shoe of the exact same style – the only difference will be the lack of a Jimmy Choo logo. A lot of people love their logos, but I think it’s worth it to go without when there are hundred of dollars on the line.

Finally, making savvy material choices can be a great way to save money on clothes. You might try looking for faux leather or fur instead of the real thing, for example, since real leather and fur can sometimes cost thousands of dollars. By shopping smart, you’re looking at a similar product for under $200!

Luckily, there are a couple of sure things when it comes to picking out presents for men – motorcycles, cars, and football. You don’t have to actually buy your guy a car, of course, but anything car-related will drive them crazy, be it an iPod charger or funky new lighting.

Still, if you want to go above and beyond in your gift-giving efforts, I’ve prepared a list of fashion gifts for the man in your life.

First up: the tie. This is a good auxiliary present – no man wants his primary gift to be a shiny new tie, but a stylish silk or satin option will really help him stand out at the office. Plus, with all the colors and styles available, it’s easy to choose a tie to compliment your man’s existing wardrobe.

If you’re looking for something fancier, consider designing a watch for your man. He’ll love the tech-factor, while also appreciating all the thought you put into his gift. There are several websites that allow you to customize your own watches, so you can create a plastic diver-style watch with glow-in-the-dark hands, a classier gold business watch, and everything in between!

And if you’re man’s a little quirky, I recommend a pair of cufflinks. These don’t have to be your standard gold or silver designs – the internet is full of cool options, like cufflinks with four leaf clovers, pool balls, Scrabble tiles, and more. You can even customize your cufflinks to include initials or logos.

Doesn’t that sound better than a football jersey?

First, you need to keep in mind that all women are not created equal – one might want a brand new purse that costs $500, while another would prefer a simple, thoughtful gift like a promise ring. Before shopping, think about which type of gifts will excite the woman in your life.

My first suggestion is a hip bicycle helmet by YAKKAY. Commuting by bike has become so popular lately, but most helmets are the opposite of chic. YAKKAY helmets are both safe and trendy, with optional ear muffs for those colder months. There are a lot of fun colors and patterns to choose from, from solid pink to pinstripes to checkerboard designs. The only problem with these helmets is that they are not yet for sale in the US, so you’ll have to order them straight from Denmark!

If you’re looking for something available in this country, however, I recommend items from Anthropologie, one of my favorite stores. Best known for its jewelry, clothing, and bags, Anthropologie is an ideal gift-shopping destination. I’m especially drawn to the Treasure Trove Bag, which sports a bandana-style print beneath a straw basket weave and braided straps, making it ideal for those granola types – or anyone who wants to carry around a little bit of summer.

Looking for something flashier? Women have been going ga-ga for those little blue boxes from Tiffany & Co. for decades. Tiffany’s has some of the best quality jewelry around, and it’s beautiful. I recommend the Return to Tiffany Pendant, an elegant, chic option for only $100.

Or, for a more quirky present, the NYC Metro Cuff by Design Hype is a fun, stylish way to help your lady figure out the best route from Brooklyn to Greenwich Village, or Midtown to the Bronx. This metal bracelet is embossed with an accurate map of New York’s Subway system, so it’s functional as well as trendy. And if you don’t live in New York, stay tuned – the company is working on designing cuffs for other cities.

In honor of every shopaholic’s favorite holiday, here’s a list of all the best online Cyber Monday deals. (Provided by collegefashion.net) This year, avoid the stressed out shoppers and mile-long lines at the mall and shop in your PJ’s!

I know I’ll be shopping online instead of hitting the mall this year – what about you?

• Wet Seal is offering free shipping on orders of $15 for Black Friday, and 20% off the entire store this Monday only! You can score some seriously inexpensive clothes this way, so don’t forget!
• Get 20% off your entire order at SteveMadden.com from now through Monday with the code MADDEN20!
• Alloy.com has a new Thanksgiving weekend coupon good for 20% off: enter THANK20 at checkout before 12/4 to get your savings. Also, get free shipping on orders over $25 with the code AHRAFF.
• Shoes.com has two new deals: they’re offering 10% off your order tomorrow with code YAMS, and save 20% off on Cyber Monday (12/1) with the promo code MONDAY!
• New York & Company is offering for cyber Monday 30% off the entire site – Click this link or use code 1074! Pretty fabulous if you ask me.
• Here are ShopBop’s Thanksgiving deals: Spend $250, get $50 off; spend $500, get $100 off with code THANKS2U. If any of you plan to do some SERIOUS shopping for designer clothes, you can’t find a better deal than this!
• dELiA*s will give you 15% off any order with the code THANK15, and free shipping on all orders over $25 with the code DWRAFF. The 15% off code is good until 12/4, while the free shipping code will work until 12/18.
• eBags.com is having a Holiday sale, with 20% off tons of great handbags from now until 12/1!
• Pink Mascara has a new coupon code good for 20% off – enter code AFF20OFF at checkout before 12/1!
• Don’t miss out on these Black Friday & Cyber Monday offers from Karmaloop: 20% off your entire order with code CYBER08, free shipping on any order with code TGIF08. Plus, use the code TICKTOCK on Monday only to get both free shipping and 20% off!
• Gap.com has buy one, get one 50% off holiday sweaters. The offer is online only & lasts until 12/1!
• YOOX.COM is having a sale, with an extra 40% off fall-winter apparel & accessories! And use the code THX@YOOX for free shipping on your order. (Code expires 12/1)
• There’s a Holiday BOGO event at Payless – buy one, get one half off everything, and free shipping over $60!
• Target is having an online-only 2 day sale! Tons of stuff is marked down, so don’t forget to check it out!
• Barnes & Noble are offering 15% off any one item with the code M8H7N3F. The code is valid until 12/2.
• For both Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Banana Republic is offering up to 40% off Holiday fashion.
• Surf shop Swell has 20% off hoodies (use code hoodie3) AND free shipping on all orders from now through December 1st!
• Pacsun.com is offering 50% off everything and free shipping on all orders tomorrow only, and 10% off the entire store on Sunday and Monday (11/30 and 12/1).
• Dillard’s has many items on sale for Black Friday: 40% off women’s Prive cashmere, leather gloves, boots, and jewelry, plus 50% off men’s neckwear, leather coats, cashmere sweaters, and gloves.
• On Monday, Arden B. will be giving out free logo tanks while supplies last!

To all you shopaholics take advantage of this weekend and get all the Cyber Monday deals while it still lasts.

Happy shopping!