There is a period in every college student’s life when buying the latest trend from the most… There is a period in every college student’s life when buying the latest trend from the most popular store just “feels right” and getting the bang for your buck from a local designer is decidedly unnatural.

The situation is oh so familiar: You need a quick outfit for a party, and instead of traveling two blocks to the nearest not-so-popular boutique, you’re more than willing to take the dreadfully long bus ride to the mall. Your reasoning: you know very little about the neighborhood boutique and you don’t have the time to determine if it fits your style. You’d much rather hunt through mass-produced items in the hopes of finding that distinctive outfit that someone else had better not wear to the party.

Since when did something so convenient become so out of the way?

Adjusting to the uniqueness of Pittsburgh boutiques can be a less than riveting experience. Many are laced with pieces that you wouldn’t even wear to wash the car, let alone sport in public.

But there’s an easier way to delve into the treasures of the ever-growing eclectic vendors. I call it the “Tupperware party for fashion lovers” – otherwise known as “trunk shows.”

Trunk shows – diverse gatherings of creative talent that showcase, sell and promote retail and handmade goods – have become very popular in recent years.

Trunk shows give customers immediate personal service and the privilege of meeting the faces behind the scenes. Where else can you stumble upon creative pieces with the delight of being on a first name basis with the designer who made the fragrance or soap you love to use?

No two trunk shows are alike They are held in retail stores, churches, neighborhood recreation facilities or even in designers’ living rooms.

Often mixed with fashion shows and workshops to teach customers how to create their own crafts, trunk shows offer one-of-a-kind goods with a one-of-a–kind adventure.

The best part: Most are free!

Think of it as an inexpensive flea market for the sexy, hip and chic. Think of it as a meeting place for instant fashion gratification. Think of it as your new and only way to shop.

Many retail trunk shows add an incentive by giving customers a trunk show sale price for name-brand items. This means that if you spot the same item in their retail store, you can reap the rewards of a discounted price for your attendance. Oh, the joys of venturing outside your normal boundaries.

Getting excited? Great – Pittsburgh has a few trunk shows lined up for this weekend.

Today, Saks Fifth Avenue will have a trunk show for Zegna in its men’s department. On Friday, experience three trunk shows:

Janis Burley Wilson’s trunk show of fall hats, accessories, coats and African-inspired headdresses is from 5-8 p.m. at 3455 Ridgewood Road in Churchill. A trunk show of Cascade, Noro, Fiesta and Bagsmith yarns will be held at Knit One, 2721 Murray Ave. in Squirrel Hill. A Merrell trunk show is going on at Little’s Shoes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 5850 Forbes Ave.

Repeat after me: “I don’t have to spend big bucks for designer and original pieces of clothing.” Now repeat this statement until you believe it, because you must if you want to take full advantage of the fashion world around you.

Deena assures you that trunk shows don’t involve elephants parading around in clothing. But, if you think you can relate elephants to fashion, e-mail her at [email protected].