BARGAINS : HOW TO LOOK LIKE A MILLION BUCKS FOR A WHOLE LOT LESS.

Byline: Trisha King & Deborah Newmark

Between proms and summer weddings, many women are in need of special-occasion dresses. Here are three stores offering different ways to save money on that perfect outfit.

One Night Affair has hundreds of high-end designer dresses available for rent. A red-beaded Versace cocktail dress with spaghetti straps will set you back $1,800 retail, but rents for $95. A full-length beaded number from Bob Mackie in teal rents for $150. All dresses can be altered for a perfect fit (add $5 to $20). Accessories (everything but shoes) rent for $5 to $15, and sizes run 2 to 30. A security deposit is required on all rentals.

One Night Affair is located at 2370 Westwood Blvd., Suite H, Los Angeles; [phone]. Hours, by appointment only, are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Through June 10 only, they are available for appointments 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Dressed Up! has expanded again in its ``Alley in the Valley'' location to offer customers a larger selection of women's clothing discounted 20 percent to 80 percent below retail. A full-length beaded gown in white from Precious Formals runs $249 ($320 retail), and a gown in red satin with a stretch Lycra bodice by Tadashi is $209 instead of $290.

Other labels include Alyce, Jessica McClintock, JS Collections, Peak Evenings, Faviana, Black Tie and many others. If you must have a particular dress, they'll go all out to find it for you.

Dress Up! is located at 6000 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana; [phone]. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

At up to 98 percent below retail, the best bargains in Southern California for dressy dresses are at the $9.99 Store. Selection can be hit or miss, but with dresses that retail for up to $500 all priced at $9.99, it's well worth it to keep checking the inventory, which changes daily.

Anyone with a talent for sewing will appreciate that most of the dresses are made of beautiful fabrics that often retail at much more than $9.99 a yard. The best selection is in sizes 6 to 16.

The $9.99 Store is located in the Fallbrook Mall at 6633 Fallbrook Ave., West Hills; [phone]. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Inside info If you're serious about exercising, consider the Premier Fitness Center to get in shape. Until June 1, purchase 12 one-hour one-on-one workout sessions with a personal trainer and receive three additional workouts (15 sessions total) for $432 (elsewhere 12 sessions are $460). This breaks down to $28.80 per session (elsewhere $38.33).

Try the complimentary workout session, which carries no obligation. For an additional charge you can meet with their Pritikan nutritionist or have a massage. Premier Fitness Center is located at 18729 Ventura Blvd., No. 7A, Tarzana, [phone]. Hours are 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Save 10 percent to 40 percent on fine tabletop merchandise from the China, Silver & Crystal Shop mail-order company. For example, purchase a Lenox Poppies on Blue place setting for $49.95 (retail $90). They carry more than 1,000 patterns.

Free shipping is available for new customers. To order their catalog, call the China, Silver & Crystal Shop, 2809 Second Ave., Seattle, Wash. 98121; [phone]. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.