The fabulous version of frugal

By Monica Corcoran, Times Staff Writer

The troubled economy has everyone shaving a little off the top. These experts offer their own cost-cutting measures:

Washing cashmere

Cameron Silver, co-owner of the influential vintage boutique Decades: "I was spending $45 to dry clean my Loro Piana sweaters at Effrey's. Now I wash them by hand with a squirt of Citrus Magic Fine Fabric Shampoo. I wash them in my bathroom sink in lukewarm -- almost room temperature -- water. Toss the sweater in the sink for a bit, then rinse the sweater, but never wring it. Roll it in a beach towel to absorb water and then place it flat on a dry towel on a flat surface to dry. I sometimes change the towel halfway through the drying process and turn the sweater over too.

"This is economical and better for the environment. It's spiritual for me to do my wash too."

Citrus Magic Fine Fabric shampoo, $3.99 at Whole Foods markets.