April 5, 2012 by
Kathryn on
April 5, 2012
Back in the day (like 1988) Liz Claiborne was “dabomb.com”. The brand, founded in 1976, was one of the most successful women’s sportswear brands of the past 40 years. According to the site Name Wire:
Claiborne was arguably the first mainstream designer to provide working women with sensible, good-looking apparel for the office. She founded the company in 1976 and by 1988 it had a whopping one third of the American women’s upscale sportswear market.
Every mall-trolling, wanna-be fashionista either had the $45, “pleather” Liz Claiborne cross-body bag (in very 80s colors like taupe and mauve) or was trying to figure out a way to raise enough funds to get one (I fell very much in the former category). For those of you not old enough to remember the 80s, you could only purchase Liz Claiborne at major department stores (in my case Minnesota’s version of Bloomingdales, Dayton’s).
Vintage Liz Claiborne Handbag.. Don’t Judge..
Liz Claiborne ruled during a time when women were starting to gain real traction in the corporate world and, while it may be hard to believe in this era of singular, tech-driven, entrepreneurship, young women wanted to be Melanie Griffith’s character from “Working Girl”- a rising corporate titan armed with “a mind for business and a body for sin”.
More: When Liz Clairborne Ruled the World: History of Budget Fashion →
September 13, 2011 by
Kathryn on
September 13, 2011
The History of Budget Fashion is a series of articles written by The Budget Fashionista herself, Kathryn Finney, that explores the evolution of fashion on a budget.
Forth and Towne was a concept store developed by Gap, Inc in the early 2000s to be a direct competitor to Ann Taylor. The concept of the store was to offer stylish fashions for working women over 30 in what was perhaps the best store design ever (nice soft amber lighting, fluffy chairs, a couch pit for the fellas). The pricing was competitive, with most items in the $80-$100 dollar range, but with details like lining and quality cotton that meant the cost per wear would be killer on the items (and this is true- three years after the store closed, I still have several pieces in my closet).
Women loved the store and it was doing well, so what happened?
More: History of Budget Fashion: What Ever Happened to Forth & Towne →
August 29, 2011 by
Kathryn on
August 29, 2011
The History of Budget Fashion is a series of articles written by The Budget Fashionista herself, Kathryn Finney, that explores the evolution of fashion on a budget.
Forever21 has now become a mainstay in every budget stylista’s shopping arsenal, yet few know the beginnings of one of the most popular stores in America. In this “History of Budget Fashion”, we explore the beginnings of the retail chain as well as some of the challenges faced by the store.
More: The History of Budget Fashion: Forever 21 →
August 19, 2011 by
Kathryn on
August 19, 2011
The History of Budget Fashion is a series of articles written by The Budget Fashionista herself, Kathryn Finney, that explores the evolution of fashion on a budget.
When actress Jaclyn Smith debuted her Jaclyn Smith for Kmart line in 1985, many thought she would meet the same fate as the designer Halston, who’s line for JcPenney resulted in the end of the Halston brand. Twenty Five years later, Jaclyn Smith for Kmart line has sold over $100 million (yes MILLION) worth of product.
More: The History of Budget Fashion: Jaclyn Smith for K-Mart →
August 17, 2011 by
Kathryn on
August 17, 2011
The History of Budget Fashion is a series of articles written by The Budget Fashionista herself, Kathryn Finney, that explores the evolution of fashion on a budget.
Before Jaclyn Smith brought fashion to the style starved aisles of K-Mart, before Isaac Mizrahi helped change Target to Target (pronounced with a French Accent), the king of disco era fashion, Roy Halston, debuted a line at the venerable department store JcPenney.
The Halston III line for JcPenney debuted in stores in 1983, and with it the first truly masstige fashion line, a mass market fashion line developed/licensed by a high-end designer or brand, was born.
More: The History of Budget Fashion: Halston for JcPenney →
Founded in 2003, TBF is a fashion blog dedicated to helping you live your best for less. We give you the 411 on the latest fashion trends & tips and sample sales. 
