BARGAINS : POLYESTER THAT'S PRICED JUST RIGHT.

Byline: Trisha King & Deborah Newmark

Women who prefer comfortable clothing made of wash-and-wear polyester will be happy to learn about the recent opening of Toni Marie Ladies Factory Outlet. The store offers mix-and-match separates at discounted prices.

For example, oversized blouses (cut longer to cover the hips) that retail for $62 are $38.99. Banded-bottom blouses are $34.99 ($59 retail), sleeveless shells run $14.99 ($30 retail) and short-sleeve shells are priced at $19.99 ($38 retail).

Toni Marie's is a true factory outlet stocked with first-quality overruns, canceled orders and last-season's fashions. The clothing - all washable - is sold nationwide to specialty boutiques and mail-order companies across the country. In fact, you can do your own price comparisons; scattered throughout the store are pages from mail-order catalogs.

Thankfully, polyester has come a long way since the 1960s. Most blouses at Toni Marie's - in three styles and a large variety of prints and solids - are made of ``peach-skin'' polyester that feels like sueded silk or Jacquards.

Toni Marie's also has polyester that looks like a herringbone gabardine. A fully lined jacket, which happens to be washable, runs $68.99 ($98 to $100 retail). Matching slacks are $32.99 ($46 retail), and skirts run $34.99 ($50 retail).

Although everything is discounted, the deepest discounts are on goods from previous seasons or ``fashion'' items. For example, gabardine-looking slacks in three styles, that are made every season in basic colors of creme, black, royal blue, taupe and sable, run $19.99 to $26.99 ($32 to $40 retail). The same slacks in fashion colors are $15.99 to $19.99.

Sizes run 4 to 20 in regular and petite. For customer convenience, there are three private dressing rooms and a comfortable sofa for waiting mates.

By the way, today is the last day of Toni Marie's grand-opening special. Today only, all prices in the store, including those previously quoted, are discounted an extra 20 percent.

Toni Marie Ladies Fashion Factory Outlet is at 18399 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana (Tarzana Square, one block east of Reseda Boulevard, behind Vons); [phone]. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. MasterCard and Visa are accepted; no refunds, exchange or store credit only.

Inside info

At Home in the Valley has a large selection of 4-by-6-foot and 5-by-8-foot rugs at up to 70 percent off retail. Prices start at $69.50 and go up to $450. At Home in the Valley is at 16780 Stagg St., Van Nuys; [phone]. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

If you're quick about making decisions, try booking a cruise on Spur of the Moment Cruises. They offer 50 percent to 60 percent off list price for cabins on last-minute bookings for cruises. Information: [phone].