NO one should have to take out a second mortgage to finance her spring 2002 wardrobe.

If you don’t mind forgoing fancy labels, there are lower-priced versions of the runway-direct outfits featured in thick March fashion magazines in popular chain stores where you probably already shop.

The proof is on these pages, where we ID spring’s coolest (and in some cases, most pricey) runway looks and offer alternative outfits that won’t break the bank.

Luxe hippie frocks

You want: Louis Vuitton’s Empire-waist dress (about $1,500).

TOTAL: $1,500

You can afford: Silk dress by Zara ($140) and pink sandals by Nine West ($69).

TOTAL: $209

MONEY SAVED: $1,291

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Big, baggy and beautiful

You want: Gucci’s baggy wrap pants (about $450), suede jacket (about $1,795) and sandals ($595).

TOTAL: $2,840

You can afford: Suede jacket by Banana Republic ($198), draw-string pants by The Gap ($28), off-white tank top by Club Monaco ($19), sandals by Steve Madden ($60) and sunglasses by H&M ($4.50).

TOTAL: $309.50

MONEY SAVED: $2,530.50

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Deconstructed dream jeans

You want: Junya Watanabe’s long denim vest with raw edges ($2,099) and flared jeans ($320).

TOTAL: $2,419

You can afford: Denim dress by Hot Kiss at Wet Seal ($69), dark denim flares by The Gap ($59), black tank top by Club Monaco ($19) and black boots by Nine West ($99).

TOTAL: $246

MONEY SAVED: $2,173

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Safari looks, so good

You want: Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent’s giraffe print blouse ($1,995), knee-length skirt ($595), leather belt ($190) and high-heeled sandals ($465).

TOTAL: $3,245

You can afford: Leopard-print peasant top by Express ($50), linen skirt by Zara ($66), woven leather belt by Club Monaco ($59) and sandals by Aldo ($129).

TOTAL: $304

MONEY SAVED: $2,941

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Rich (and ragged) bohemian

You want: Balenciaga’s metallic patchwork top (about $1,075), cropped olive fatigues ($1,050) and lizard skin high-heeled sandals ($810).

TOTAL: $2,935

You can afford: Olive cropped pants by H&M ($15), purple T-shirt by Club Monaco ($49), green tank top by Club Monaco ($19), gray deconstructed sweatshirt by Zara ($28) and black high-heeled sandals by Nine West ($69).

TOTAL: $180

MONEY SAVED: $2,755

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Suitings from the ’70s

You want: Marc Jacobs’ vest and wide-leg pants ($550 and $595), silk blouse ($950) and shoes ($450).

TOTAL: $2,050

You can afford: Camel-colored vest and matching pants by H&M ($35 and $49), peach blouse by Zara ($55) and black Mary Janes by Nine West ($69).

TOTAL: $208

MONEY SAVED: $1,842

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White-washed prairie chic

You want: Ralph Lauren’s white blouse (about $1,300), skirt with asymmetric hem ($1,495) and brown leather belt ($175).

TOTAL: $2,970

You can afford: White cotton asymmetric skirt by H&M ($25), pin-tucked short-sleeved blouse by H&M ($19), woven leather belt by The Gap ($38), black cowboy boots by Steve Madden ($130) and “silver” bracelet with polished stones by Wet Seal ($8).

TOTAL: $220

MONEY SAVED: $2,750

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Where to buy

ALDO SHOES: 15 W. 34th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, (212) 594-6255

BANANA REPUBLIC: 62 Fifth Avenue, at Rockefeller Center, (212) 974-2350

CLUB MONACO: 160 Fifth Avenue, at 21st Street, (212) 352-0936

EXPRESS: 321 Columbus Ave., at 75th Street, (212) 580-5833

THE GAP: 60 W. 34th St., near Sixth Avenue, (212) 760-1268

H&M: 640 Fifth Ave., at 51st Street, (212) 489-0390

NINE WEST: 577 Broadway at Spring Street, (212) 941-1597

OLD NAVY: 150 W. 34th St., (212) 594-0115

STEVE MADDEN: 540 Broadway, between Prince and Spring streets, (212) 343-1800

WET SEAL: 670 Broadway, at Bond Street, (212) 253-2470

ZARA: 580 Broadway, at Prince Street, (212) 343-1725