Update Your Winter Wardrobe for Less!
by Veda J. Tucker
Gone are the days of summer. Autumn’s breeze is fastly becoming Old Man Winter’s chill. Time to pull out those wool trousers from last year. But wait, they’re a little too tight in the hips. That’s okay, you still have those faithful sweaters you’ve worn for the past 2 years, that is, plus a new couple of moth holes.
Boots! Yeah, you still have those boots that you love, right? Just a couple of questions—is the toe of the boot supposed to have a distressed look? And should the heel slide back and forth every time you take a step?
Alas, at least you have a coat stored away for the season. Well, once you repair the hem, shave off the lint balls and have the sleeve lengthened. What is a woman to do?
The “Rotating your Closet Blues”
The Scenario I just describe is common to most women. It’s what I call the “Rotating your Closet Blues.” At the end of every season we store away clothing for the next year. Only to pull it out and wonder “what happened?” Did I have a growth spurt? Do clothes shrink while in storage? Are there super moths that eat clothes and shoes? However it happens, it happens, and we have to replace these pieces without breaking the bank. After all, Christmas is right around the corner.
Here are some great deals I’ve come across recently that may help get you on the road to recovery.
Get Bitten
One of my new favorite clothing lines is “Bitten” by actress Sarah Jessica Parker available at Steve & Barry stores across the country. This line offers fashionable and classic pieces at a reasonable price. “Bitten” is a collection of high quality, affordable sportswear for women of all ages and sizes. Every piece in the line is priced at $19.98 and less. As Sarah Jessica says, "Fashion is not a luxury, it's a right." Recently while walking through a Steve & Barry store I stumbled across a classic three-quarter-length wool/blend camel-walking coat, perfect for business or casual wear for only $19.98. Yes, I said $19.98. I’ve had numerous complements on this coat. www.bittensjp.com
Upscale Resale
Other great sources are upscale resale shops or even e-bay. Now I am not talking about your run of the mill Goodwill or second-hand stores. No these are consignment boutiques that specialize in upscale or designer resale clothing. These items are most often unused or gently used (or as my brother in-law says, “nearly new”) and are no more than a few seasons old. Most carry better names like Chanel, Hermés, Prada, Gucci, Armani, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, and Oscar de La Renta, at a fraction of the cost. The key to resale shopping is knowing the difference between a good buy and an outstanding find. Once, I purchased an Ann Taylor suit that retails at about $350 for $45, which was a good buy. However, I received an outstanding buy when I purchased an Escada suit that retails for over $1200 for $99. Don’t be shocked to see what appears to be a high dollar price tags but in reality is a small fraction of what it would retail for. Also be sure to inspect the garment well. If you’re purchasing on-line make sure the items are from a reputable establishment and can be returned. Take a look at www.encoreconsignments.com or www.thesnob.biz
Quality at a Fraction of the Price
The final sources are discount stores such as Marshall’s and T.J. Maxx that most of us are familiar with but sometime over look when heading for the mall. These stores allow you to find quality pieces at a fraction of the department store price. This may require some hunting— going through racks of clothing items, checking back on certain days of the week, or even driving to a different location. Like many, I had to let go of my favorite pair of boots this season. I had gotten all of my mileage out of them. I found a pair of Franco Sarto boots at T.J. Maxx that I loved but they weren't in my size. Because I travel quite a bite I went to T.J. Maxx in 4 states before I found them. I was a woman on a mission. They were $69 as opposed to the $150 in the department stores. www.tjmaxx.com
When trying to build a wardrobe, price and quality are of the utmost importance. So don’t be afraid to become a fashion sleuth, look at all the resources around and don’t leave any rock (or should I say store) unturned. Merry Christmas!!
Copyright ©2007 by Veda J. Tucker. All rights reserved.
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