BARGAINS : FIND FASHION FUTURE AT PAST PERFECT.

Byline: Trisha King & Deborah Newmark

If names like Armani, Chanel, Donna Karan, Gucci, Hermes, Versace or Valentino make your heart beat faster, but are priced way out of your league, take heart because Past Perfect, a high-end women's resale store, makes the unaffordable affordable.

For example, suits by Georgio Armani that retail for as much as $2,000 can be purchased at Past Perfect for $500. A pale green pantsuit by the same designer was available for $298 instead of $1,600 or more new.

Past Perfect is a lovely two-story boutique filled with the best of the best in high fashion. As is the case with all resale stores, most items are one of a kind, so if you see something you like, chances are it won't be available in any other size or color. But, with such a large selection of casual to formal clothing, most people won't see this as a problem.

Owner Ingrid Burgess stocks her store with barely or never-worn clothing from some of the most exclusive closets in Los Angeles County. In addition to fabulous clothing and accessories, Burgess has a fashion-savvy staff that is not only helpful, but honest, too. If an ensemble doesn't look good on you, well, they'll very nicely suggest something that's more complimentary.

The holidays will be upon us soon, and Past Perfect has plenty of elegant evening wear. One of our favorites was a brand-new - with the tags still attached - sleeveless Versace cocktail dress in velvet for $198 instead of $800. Also never worn was an all black St. John tuxedo-style evening suit with a satin collar and cuffs and rhinestone buttons for $650. The woman who never wore this suit paid well over $2,000 for it.

Sizes run 2 to 18, with the best selection in sizes 4 to 10. Make sure to get on the mailing list for notification of sales, when it's possible to buy a $2,000 Armani suit for $125.

Past Perfect is located at 12616 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; [phone]. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa are accepted. A 45-day layaway plan is available with a 50 percent deposit. All sales are final.

Inside info

From Speedway Rent a Car, you can rent a used, older model car for driving in the San Fernando Valley for $9.95 a day. The price includes 100 miles a day without extra charges. They also have other cars available for use outside the San Fernando Valley for an additional charge. Speedway Rent a Car is located at 7556 Balboa Blvd. Van Nuys; [phone]. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Nadine's is closing after 22 years in business and offering 70 percent off all guitars, amplifiers, keyboards and professional audio equipment left in the store. Call first, as their stock might be very low. Nadine's is located at 6251 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood; [phone]. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

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Photo: Ingrid Burgess shows off one of the discounted ensembles available at Past Perfect, a resale shop on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City.

Terri Thuente/Daily News