Move over, Ebay! As if we needed another excuse to give the old debit card some more exercise, etailer ASOS has recently opened the doors to its ASOS Marketplace, a whole new wonderland of online fashion-exchanging temptation. Just as addictive as everyone’s favourite online auction site, but a dream to navigate, with tags and titles all over the shop, the Marketplace has the signature monochrome ASOS look and gorgeous, ‘street-style’ photos to accompany all the listed items.

It provides a sharing space for individual fashionistas to sell unwanted articles and snap up bargains from fellow addicts, but also offers specialist boutiques a fully customisable online platform to showcase their designs. It doesn’t take much, but I was hooked for a good hour before I emerged from a vintage, second-hand, bargain-induced reverie. By that time I had set up my own account (very easy to do), and was mentally pricing up my wardrobe to swap for some of the fabulous goodies on offer. Prices vary hugely for all items from under £10 to over £1000, but being a ‘people’s own’ pricing system you rarely find items priced beyond their worth.

What really sets the Marketplace apart as a gem for fashion devotees are the Boutiques, which offer ‘a curated selection of the best in emerging design talent, independent labels and vintage specialists’. Nowhere else on the web brings together such an eclectic and inspiring group of designers and traders under such an easily-shoppable roof. RIH favourites include…

Fuudluxe

Check out the amazing, snuggly luxe hood creations of design duo Louise Halswell and Laura Boyle of Fuudluxe. Inspired by ‘everything’, their online boutique features their men’s and women’s hoods in all variety of furry and fluffy, leopard-print and leather at prices from £25. Their ‘warm yet chic’ philosophy translates into the perfect accessories for these freezing January days, and you can guarantee you won’t see anyone else in the same style.

Fuudluxe's snoods in suede and sheepskin, leather and tweed, and cable knit designed by Louise Halswell and Laura Boyle

Faster by Mark Fast

If you’d describe yourself as more of an ‘urban edgy woman’ than a furry hood wearer, then Faster by Mark Fast is probably much more your cup of tea. Canadian-born designer Mark takes knitwear to a whole new level by incorporating mesh designs and his signature helix stitches into knitted dresses, jumpsuits and even knickers. This look is all about appearing grunge-rocky from a distance but elegantly feminine close up. Check out his Faster Mesh Leggings at £120 and Mesh Gloves for £70, for a uniquely cool look.

Mark Fast's diffusion line, Faster by Mark Fast offers the Canadian designer's distinctive signature mesh knitted pieces

I Can Make Shoes

Truly green designer Amanda Luisa’s boutique I Can Make Shoes brings an ethical note to the Marketplace; her philosophy involves up-cycling old shoes and ‘vamping them up into one-off pieces’. The results are impressive: the shoes no longer have that over-worn slightly-too-vintage appearance but look brand new, and, hooray, are priced affordably. £35 for Faux Fur Brown Boots with new soft velvet insoles? Yes please!

Amanda Luisa's ethical, upcyled designs for I Can Make Shoes are truly individual and different. And green too, hurrah!

Fairground

Among the ‘Most Loved’ of the Boutiques is bohemian gem, Fairground, a well-established store set up by creative director Valerija Vocanec. Its Marketplace contribution includes patterned dresses and spotted romper and bodysuits in faded blues and pinks which make you want summer to hurry up and come sooner, plus infinitely wearable slouchy knitted wraps and chunky jumpers. Prices range from £50 to £150.

Fairground's hippie-inspired designs include the romantic 'Dreams of Being' dress, 'The Gift Wrap' and the 'Dreams of Being' romper

Stuck for inspiration? Choose a look under the ‘Get Inspired’ tag from ‘Chalet Chic’ to ‘Ladylike’ to embark on a whole new trail of discovery, or hit ‘People’s Runway’ and steal ideas from the latest looks captured on the streets by fashion photographers.

For even more fashion indulgence, check out the Marketplace Blog and become a Marketplace disciple on Twitter @ASOSMarketplace.