It began with H&M–the inexpensive Swedish clothing retailer was such a success in Europe that it opened up stores Stateside. Foreign fashion, once considered an extravagance, is now more than couturiers and bespoke suiting–tons of affordable, international shops have made a splash in the USA. High fashion approves, too, with progressive labels designing off-the-rack lines for sales in stores, including H&M’s collaborations with Karl Lagerfeld, Viktor + Rolf and Roberto Cavalli.

A leather dress gathers some Moss.

-Uniqlo: The Japanese megastores boast a technicolor inventory of men’s and women’s basics, plus graphic tees and children’s clothing. Their first US shop opened in New York’s Soho district in 2006. Famous, fashionable friends design tees (like photographer Terry Richardson), contribute signature pieces (including Alexander Wang’s racerback dress), and model in print ads (actress Chloë Sevigny put on their stuff to pose for Richardson).

-Zara: The Spanish shops are frequented by locals and are a destination for tourists. Trendy pieces are insanely affordable, with most price tags under three digits (that’s in Euros). Fashion moves fast, and the shops’ cutting edge computer system takes customer requests and feedback and translates them into designs, ready for sale in an unheard of two weeks. There are currently 35 US outposts in 13 states.

-Mango: Another Spanish retailer that manufactures inexpensive approximations of trendy European streetwear, with guest designers like Jade Jagger and Penelope Cruz. It operates US stores under the name “MNG by Mango.”

-Topshop: The beloved British chain, with its oh-so-cheap, yet coveted, clothing and accessories, won such a fan in Kate Moss that the superwaif now regularly designs lines and models for their campaigns. Though hundreds of stores have opened worldwide, the States are still waiting for the first US shop, set to open in a massive space in Soho sometime in 2009.

Skip the overpriced imports–seasoned travelers know there are deals to be had abroad…and in our country, too.