I love to shop. Seriously, it is something that truly makes me happy. I know I sound like every other girl in the world but shopping really is my happy place. When I was having a particulary hard semester during college people kept telling me to do things that make me happy. So I went to the Neimans on Wisconsin Avenue once a week and looked at the purses. I kid you not. I never bought anything but just looking was enough to put me in a good mood.
Unfortunately, my love to shop has never matched my ability to buy. My fashion wants always seem to be a tad bit larger than my fashion budget. And by tad, I mean … alot. So with my law career ehh… only in its beginning stages, and my attempt to win the lottery yielding no success, I had to find a way to maximize my shopping budget but still get the fashion fix I need.
Thus, I tell you I have I become a master of what can only be referred to as bargain shopping and I thought I would share a few tips ya’ll.
1. Know your bargain stores
I wish I had all the money in the world to go to Neimans and buy everything I ever wanted for full price…but alas, this is not the case. But there are numerous stores that are crawling with designer clothes for literally half the price. My favorites are Nordstrom Rack, Loehmanns, and TJMaxx.
These places are full of designers such as Hudson, Theory, Marc by Marc Jacobs, JBrand, Nanette Lepore, Rebecca Taylor, Trina Turk, Joie only to name a few. I have bought over five pairs of Hudson Jeans from Loehmanns for $60.00. I have bought a Nanette Lepore bucle’ jacket for $70.00 originally $365.00, a Rebecca Taylor bucle jacket for $120.00 originally $425.00, a pair of JBrand courdoroys for $69.00 originally $198.00 all from Nordstrom Rack. Last weekend I found a pair of Paige turquroise colored denim jeans for $70.00. I could go on but you get the idea. The possibilities are endless. Now be warned, these stores require some looking – and by looking I mean actually scouting things out. But I promise you its worth it… And if you are like me, shopping makes you happy anyway, especially when you get a great deal.
2. Know your sale cycle, and be patient.
Most fashionistas/a.k.a. hopeless shoppers know when things go on sale; the end of the season. Mid to late January, the winter items at your favorite boutique will go on sale to make way for the fabulous spring clothes. Mid to late August, the spring and summer stuff will go on sale to make way for the beautiful winter and fall stuff. But as the old saying goes, good things come to those who wait. I cannot tell you the number of times I have purposely waited (painfully I might add) for a beautiful piece of clothing to make it through to the end of season to be put on the 75% off rack. I typically only do this for extra expensive items that I would otherwise not be able to afford, and ones that I know will take me into the following season as well. Case in point, a beautiful, cashmere, Joie Sweater that was orignally $448.00 that I got for 75% off at $112.00 in mid January. I wanted it since they day it was unpacked.
3. Use the internet
My last bargain tip; use the internet. Sign up for email promotions. Check websites. Join sale websites like Gilt Groupe. I cannot tell you how many times I have recieved email coupons from stores like Loehmanns that will not advertise or tell you about the coupon, but will happily accept it. Usually it is an additional 25% off or 20% a sale item. Also, glance at those email updates you get everyday. In this internet age, many websites like Piperlime or Banana Republic will do additional percentages off during low traffic times such as 8am to 11am on a Tuesday. Now I am not saying go online shopping at work… but if you happen to stumble across a great deal while drafting a contract, say yes and quickly get back to drafting.
HAPPY SHOPPING,
XOXO
Jennie
Fashionable CHICKS 
You must be logged in to post a comment.