BEST PLACE FOR CHEAP CHINOISERIE

Department store racks have been overflowing with Asian-inspired clothes lately -- Mandarin collars, delicate, exotic prints and intricate ornamentation. But it's so much more satisfying to get the goods straight from the source. Short of a trip to China, Oriental Factory Direct is the Valley's best spot to seek out authentic Chinese apparel, at a fraction of the cost of designer interpretations. Get glam à la Suzie Wong with a classic, form-fitting satin cheongsam (the traditional sheath dress with a high collar and side slits), or swaddle yourself in a boxy Mao jacket, then accessorize with flat Mary Jane-style slippers and a colorful embroidered bag.