Shopping is one of my passions, but like so many Americans, I’ve not been able to indulge this passion quite as much over the past few months. Gas prices have been over $3.50 since May in my neck of the woods — often well over — and I don’t have to tell you what’s happened to the family food bill. Both expenses have seriously cut into my shopping pleasures . . . until I discovered Bevy.

While doing research for STORES’ September cover story, I came across an application that billed itself as “a catalyst for conversation” to “discuss and discover fashion.” Bevy gives me the chance to browse hundreds of designer and brand-name fashions, store them in my virtual closet, chat with friends, and gather some fashion advice, too. If I don’t want to spend a dime, I don’t have to. This is social shopping . . . and it’s worth checking out.

Bevy is a Seattle-based operation run by a handful of e-commerce luminaries, including alumni of Amazon, Eddie Bauer and Real Networks. CEO Kevin Foreman reports that since the application launched on Facebook in May, close to 40,000 women have signed on as “fans,” and less than five months later, Bevy lays claim to being the fastest-growing fashion group on Facebook.

There are three main conversation starters on Bevy. Users can build a virtual closet, ask a fashion question or create a style profile. I haven’t created a profile yet; I prefer to delve into the merchandise and the conversation.

My virtual closet is starting to fill up — mostly with shoes and handbags. You pick items you love, and you can swap items in and out at will (for guys, this would be the equivalent of selecting — rather than having to draft — a fantasy football team). And you can share your closet with a friend if you’re looking for some feedback. If I decide to indulge one of my fantasies, I can click “more info” or “buy.” The application takes me directly to the item at an online retail store. Already, Bevy has nearly 100 retail affiliate partners. The retailer gets the sale: Bevy gets a commission.

Ever wonder what to wear to a summer beach wedding? There’s a good chance Bevy has the answers. Users can ask a few friends to respond, invite all of their Facebook friends or open it up to everyone in the Bevy community. I asked whether to buy rounded or pointy-toe pumps for fall. Several friends weighed in; the consensus is rounded-toe pumps.

There’s a cute way to connect with friends when browsing around on Bevy. If you find something and instantly think to yourself . . . “that’s so Jill” or “that’s so Barbara,” you can send Jill or Barbara the images with a simple “it’s so you” caption. If you’re a fashion junkie like me, that fairly well sums up my take on Bevy, too.