After a recent onslaught of fashion-forward iPhone applications from designers, fashion magazines and all manner of retail brands, even those outside the fashion world are taking notice. The Wall Street Journal even went so far as to dub iPhone fashion apps the must-have accessories of the season.

Sure, plenty are wondering whether iPhone-wielding consumers will actually use all the fashion apps their creators are taking pains to make available – and, we think, with good reason. After all, who has time to upload images of every single item in his or her closet, as several outfit-mixing fashion apps would have users do?

But for those of us who love fashion and style, there are a number of apps that are worthy of your free time (say, the next time you’re under the dryer at the salon or waiting to hop a plane) and absolutely free (because we’d rather spend our moolah on actual, not virtual, fashion).

Search the App Store on your iPhone to find these 7 free iPhone fashion apps we love:

Gucci: The luxury retailer’s app makes our list for offering more than just a window into the brand’s world. Inside the app, a Gucci Beats feature by Mark Ronson lets you mix and record your own runway-ready tunes.

Gilt on the Go: This app from Gilt Group solves the pesky problem of being stuck in a meeting when the Costume National sale starts by letting members shop current sale events from their phone.

Style.com: Kill time and keep up on fashion at the same time with slideshows of most major designers’ latest runway shows (all the way back to 2000), videos of featured shows and entries from the Style.com blog.

ShopStyle: Peruse apparel and accessories from major designer brands, search for sale items by designer or brand, email items to yourself or others, find where-to-buy information, create wish lists and purchase your finds directly from online retailers’ sites. 

iBags:
Handbag nuts may browse current styles at random or use the app’s slot-machine-style scrolling wheels to find bags according to brands and style. Once you’ve found, say, a to-die-for evening clutch by Anya Hindmarch, you can save it for later or visit an online retailer carrying the item.

Fashion Fix: A truly addictive game that tests your memory skills as you create stylish ensembles you’ve only had seconds to view. Fashion-savvy avatars are ready with snarky statements when you fail, but are at the ready with sugary-sweet backhanded compliments when you perform.

Lady Mardo’s Fashion Trivia:
While the free version will only let you play one round of 25 multiple choice questions before asking you to purchase the premium app ($.99), it’s a must-try for anyone who thinks she knows her fashion history. 

Want more? Fashion apps are available from numerous retailers and labels, including Chanel, Fendi, Puma, Ralph Lauren, Norma Kamali, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Elie Tahari, Oasis, Net-A-Porter, Target, Gap, Nike iD, Amazon, Adidas and eBay.