Bargain shopping … such a deal
I spent a few hours last week visiting thrift stores, close-out stores and bargain centers to see what kind of cheapfashion finds are available. Cheap has never been so cool, as I said in my column in Sunday’s Life . Shopping smart is what it’s all about these days. Keep in mind, though, a good deal to me may be a splurge to you — or vice versa.
I intentionally stayed away from TJ Maxx and Marshalls, stores I hit up regularly for home accents, handbags and shoes. Instead, I went to the Goodwill, Zippdog, Wall’s Bargain Center, the Junior League Remarkable Shop and Name Brand Clothing. Many of these stores have more than one location, so check for stores that may be close to you.
When shopping at close-out, thrift and bargain stores, carefully check merchandise for rips, stains, etc. Some stores have a return policy; many don’t. Shop carefully. It’s no bargain if you get that great suit home and the zipper is broken. It also takes time to sort through massive amounts of merchandise. Don’t shop if you’re in a hurry.
Here’s what I found:
Zippdog, Casady Square (there’s another location in Edmond)
Naughty Monkey green and white patent peep toe pumps, $27.
Circa Joan & David black pumps, $30.
Donna Rico black and cream floral sleeveless dress, $45.
Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, $6.88
Bridal gowns, $49.99
Name Brand Clothing, Britton and Pennsylvania
Dana Buchman stretch black pants, $29
Anne Cole halter swim suits, $19 and $22
Tahari black skirted suit, $59 (with the $280 retail tag still attached)
Alfani silver and crystal evening sandals, $9
Jessica Simpson peep toe black pumps with cork platform, $9
Hot pink crocs, $9
Remarkable Shop
Men’s Hickey Freeman navy pinstripe suit, $30
Chico’s Traveler’s pants, $8
Abercrombie & Fitch khaki capris, $9
Remarkable Shop consignment department
Carmen Marc Valvo navy sleeveless cocktail dress, $70
Christian Dior red skirted suit, $55
Betsey Johnson silk dress with lace accents and print hem, $60
Goodwill store (NW 50 and MacArthur)
Men’s classic Bass Weejuns, $2.99
Women’s black Cole Haan loafers, $2.99
Men’s Daniel Cremieux khaki pants, $2.99
Women’s Kasper linen blend safari-style jacket, $3.99
Women’s jeans by DKNY, Elie Tahari, Jones Sport, Talbots, Guess, Levi, Lauren, Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, $3.99
Wall’s Bargain Center, NW 122 and Rockwell
Anne Klein navy pantsuit, $25
Sale: Allyson’s Closet … shop today
Paris fashion designer Christian Lacroix files for bankruptcy
French fashion designer Christian Lacroix.
Hard times continue to impact high-end fashion businesses. Designer Christian Lacroix has filed for bankruptcy protection. Here’s the story from Fashion Week Daily.
(NEW YORK) Christian Lacroix has filed for court protection from creditors, equivalent to a voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in the U.S. The company, a former LVMH brand founded in 1987 by Lacroix and Bernard Arnault, was sold in 1995 to the Florida-based Falic Group, owners of duty free chain Duty Free Americas. “We think it’s very well positioned,” chairman Simon Falic told WWD at the time of the acquisition. “So much money has been invested in this brand, and Mr Lacroix is such a highly-regarded talent in the fashion industry. I honestly believe we can double the sales volume in five years, maybe sooner.”
Lacroix’s reputation as one of Paris’ most relevant couturiers led the company to focus directly on the luxury market, a move that offers little for customers looking increasingly towards bridge collections. “Since the acquisition of Christian Lacroix SNC, we have been committed to the brand and to its high-end development,” said Lacroix CEO Nicolas Topiol in a statement released today. “We will continue to do so but the sharp downturn of the luxury market has significantly hurt our revenues.”
The company has pledged to continue producing both couture and ready-to-wear collections, even promising to show a small couture collection during July’s couture season, but the future of the Lacroix is in limbo. Ready-to-wear sales for the Fall 2009 season were down 35 percent, with 2008 losses of $14 million on overall revenues of approximately $42 million. Plans to strengthen the company by way of financial partners and investors have been put on hold. Topiol’s statement continued, “this process, which was in its final phase, was directly hit by the conditions of the financial markets and could not be finalized prior to the filing.”
In addition to Christian Lacroix’s fashion business, the brand has branched out into other projects, from decor for the French TGV to hotel interiors and uniforms for Air France. It is unknown whether the company will continue to participate in these other projects.
“Blossom” star Mayim Bialik gets new look on “What Not to Wear”
Mayim Bialik gets a makeover on tonight’s “What Not to Wear” on TLC. Don’t know who Mayim Bialik is? She’s the now all-grown-up woman who played the lead character on “Blossom.”
Here’s a sneak peak at the episode and a preview of what’s coming later.
Sweet Saturday … treats and a discount at Pink Sugar Shoe Boutique
Shoe shopping, anyone? Check out Pink Sugar Shoe Boutique’s Sweet Saturday. Treats and drinks and a discount … just for shopping for shoes. Who could say no to that? Pink Sugar is in Spring Creek Village at 15th and Bryant in Edmond.
Ulta offers shopping discount for college students
No one is on a tighter budget than college students — unless it’s the parents who are paying for their student’s college.
Anyway, Ulta offers college day the first Tuesday of every month. That translates to 20 percent off your entire in-store purchase when you show your college ID.
The next college day is June 2. Happy shopping. Happy savings.
Stuart Weitzman talks shoes
Shoe designer Stuart Weitzman talks about inspiration and trends in this video from The Weekly Shoe.
Vogue editor Anna Wintour suggested Oprah lose weight
Oprah Winfrey
Here’s an interesting tidbit from FashionGossipWeekly:
During an unaired portion of Anna Wintour’s recent interview on “60 Minutes,” the feared Vogue editor revealed that she refused to put Oprah on the cover of Vogue because she was too fat.
…“I went to Chicago to visit Oprah, and I suggested that it might be an idea that she lose a little bit of weight before she appears in the magazine. I said simply that you might feel more comfortable.”
The talk show host eventually lost the weight and the cover was one of the magazine’s most successful ever. The no nonsense Wintour wanted the TV legend to loose 20 pounds.
Surely I’m not the only one surprised that Oprah would follow a suggestion from a stick-thin magazine editor just to be on the cover of a fashion magazine. If she wanted to lose weight to be more healthy and feel good, that’s one thing, but Oprah is on the cover of her own magazine every month. Interesting tidbit.
Vogue editor Anna Wintour
Take the plunge with this bra
U Plunge convertible bra by Fashion Forms.
This U Plunge bra doesn’t look very comfortable to me. Maybe it’s just me. I don’t wear plunging necklines anymore. What do you think? Not about me, ladies. About the bra.
If you’re interesting in purchasing it — because you do wear plunging necklines or for any other reason – the cost is $28. The Fashion Forms Web site says it’s availabe at Penney’s and Dillard’s. For more information and other styles, go to www.fashionforms.com.
It’s a shoe-in on “The Fashion Show”
Kelly Rowland and Isaac Mizrahi star on "The Fashion Show."
It’s all about shoes, which in my mind is a good thing. That’s it in a nutshell on the fourth episode of ”The Fashion Show,” a reality show airing at 9 p.m. Thursday on Bravo.
In the Harper’s Bazaar mini-challenge, fashion and function unite with an eco-friendly challenge that asks the designers to create a new print for Olsenhaus pure vegan shoes.
The elimination challenge tackles a problem many women encounter — falling in love with a hot pair of shoes only to realize they have nothing to wear with them. Oh, the pain, the agaony, the defeat.
Anyway, the contestants are surprised with a trip to the land of jaw-dropping shoes, the Bergdorf Goodman shoe salon. Each designer selects an avant-garde pair of high-end shoes, and must design the perfect outfit to be with with their killer heels. George Malkemus, president of Manolo Blahnik USA, joins Isaac Mizrahi, Kelly Rowland and Fern Mallis on the judges panel.
The winning design will be available for purchaseon BravoTV.com.
“The Fashion Show” follows 15 professional designers who compete for a chance to have their designs sold in the retail market and win a $125,000 prize.
