The Budget Fashionista

Yesterday, I went shopping with my fabulously snarky, gay-male best friend Lloyd. Every Fashionista needs a Lloyd in the their lives, someone whose heighten sense of style and witty off the wall comments makes an horrible, icy New York City blizzard seem a bit more bearable. Reminiscing about our Midwestern roots, Lloyd and I headed to the trifecta of NYC mass market shopping experiences—T.J. Maxx, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and Filene’s Basement—on 18th and 6th Ave in Chelsea. We spent …

Okay . . . here it goes . . . The Kate Spade/Jack Spade Sample Sale Nov 18th, 2005 9am-7pm Nov 19th, 2005 9am-5pm Metropolitan Pavillion 125 W. 18th Street New York, NY cash and credit cards only May the shopping force be with you.

Okay . . . here it goes . . . The Kate Spade/Jack Spade Sample Sale Nov 18th, 2005 9am-7pm Nov 19th, 2005 9am-5pm Metropolitan Pavilion 125 W. 18th Street New York, NY cash and credit cards only

Let your shopping dollars mean something, head out to Shop Well with You’s 2nd Annual Holiday Accessory Sake benefit. The event will take place on Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at the *beautiful* Clodagh Design Studios, 670 Broadway, 4th Floor (between East 3rd and Bond Street in NoHo) in New York City. Tickets are $50 in advance or $65 at the door ($80/$100 for VIP Champagne Reception tickets). Buy the tickets online or by calling 212.226.0466 x 2 In case you aren’t …

There will be a champagne V.I.P. reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (V.I.P.s get an extra 5% off already reduced merchandise!); General admission begins at 6:30 p.m and includes yummy treats and open bar for all. The event will include a premium raffle with prizes from Tiffany & Co, Fred Flare, Mario Bedescu and many others; and a to-die-for accessory sale including merchandise from Ugg Australia, Rafe, Calvin Klein, Juicy Couture, Calypso, Nine West and more.

New York City. Don’t those three magical words just scream “shopper’s paradise”? Although “budget” may not be the first thing at comes to mind when you think of Big Apple shopping, we have the tips to guide you through the expensive shopping trenches so you can discover the hidden and not-so-hidden bargains in the city that never sleeps! So put on your most comfortable shoes, grab your biggest tote and gather up your dough. It’s time to go bargain hunting. …

It’s tax free week in NYC . . . Shop tax free on purchases of clothing and footwear costing less than $110 (which is not much in Manhattan). Ends Feb 5th.

International press. Tons of celebrities. Kimmora Lee Simmons. Fall 2006 Fashion Week has officially begun. This week my coverage from the tents will be sporadic as I’m suffering from a very unfashionable ailment that makes me both bitter and extra judgmental—thus leaving me with zero tolerance for nasty publicists clad in black and pseudo celebs. And, since this is like my 8th fashion week, I’m officially excused from going to the tents everyday. To be perfectly honest, fashion week has …

Check out these sites for great, up to the minute, coverage of New York’s Fall 2006 Fashion Week . . . The Daily—The official magazine of fashion week online. Funny and relevant, although newbies won’t recognize half the names listed in the articles. New York Magazine—Coverage of every show, even the ones that couldn’t afford to show at the tents. Great photos. Style.com—Vogue’s website that has coverage of all the shows that matter. Lucire.com—A little snobby, but great coverage nonetheless. Almost …

There are very few people in the fashion world that I would be willing to drag myself out of my 500 thread ct. sheet-covered sick bed to go see during the circus called Fashion Week. Isaac Mizrahi at Target show—oh yes. Marc Jacobs—I would be there as fast as you could say “Mary Kate Olsen”, and Betsey Johnson—you betcha your crazy blond dreadlocked self. However, Isaac isn’t showing this FW and my Marc Jacobs invite got lost in the mail. …

For those of you looking for additional resources on saving big in NYC, head to New York Metro’s Guide to Sales and Bargains. Even the most ruthless New York Bargain Shoppers will find the guide, at the very least, interesting reading. That is, if you can get past the ads for Bergdorf Goodman and Diane Von Furstenberg. In Markdown-onomics, author Maureen Tkacik, chronicles the mark-down life of a green blazer at Saks Fifth Avenue ($410 in August to below $100 right …

Sorry, I’m a bit late on this . . . I actually knew about it a couple of weeks ago, but I was distracted by Kimora Lee Simmons’ ability to use her children as accessories during fashion week. Sorry . . . Barney’s New York Warehouse Sale Dates: Feb. 17th- March 5th 255 W. 17th St., (212) 450-8400 What: Up to 75% tons of stuff for the entire family. Get there early (the doors open at 9am on most weekdays) and …

The biggest trend of the season isn’t related to fashion at all—in fact the biggest trend to come out of fashion week seems to be the rise of the blogger as a legitimate observer of fashion. When I first started blogging about my escapades from Fashion Week in 2003, I was like the only blogger in the crowd, now you have old heads like the Washington Post’s fashion writer, Robin Givhans, giving insightful comments on the week.  I respect Robin Givhans …

In a blindingly unoriginal move, JC Penney’s has created a temporary store in Times Square (at 42nd Street). Why the old school store wasted their money doing this, I shall never know. It’s like building an Alexander McQueen boutique in Salina, Kansas—wrong location, wrong customer. I’ve never, EVER, heard anyone in New York say “Gee, I really wish we had a JC Penney’s in the city.” Even my very Midwestern mom, who insisted when I got married that I register at …

From secret shopping informant M&M -- On March 14th from 6-10 pm, The Filene’s Basements in Union Square (above DSW) and on 2222 Broadway (Upper West Side) are both having private (well, not now) shopping events featuring major designer fashions at big discounts.  I’m not quite sure if it’s nationwide, so shoppers outside of NYC check with your local stores. According to M&M, light refreshments will be served, which is enough to get me through the door.

If “Memoirs of a Geisha” has you jonesing for a kimono, padded jacket, or even a bamboo bird cage, look no further than the Chinese and Japanese influenced apparel and furnishings at Pearl River. The store, located a few steps from knock-off mecca Canal street, has graced New York city for over 30 years and is a favorite of lower east side fashionistas. Now fashionistas outside of NYC can score their authentic, high quality, merchandise online. The store offers hundreds …

Q: I am a plus-size bride in dire need of a beautiful wedding dress on a budget. I live in the New York area and everything seems to be in a size two.

A: There are many options out there for brides on a budget, including plus-size brides. Here are a few:


Lane Bryant.com
The fashionable plus size bridal company has created a line of beautiful and budget bridal gowns for plus size fashionistas. Collection features simple sleeves dresses, similar to the weddings dresses designed by J.Crew, for under $150 dollars.  Read my review of the line


The Bridal Building
1385 Broadway
New York City
This is the place where many designers have their showrooms and sales offices. These showrooms are open to the public on Saturdays and you can find designer dresses from 30% off retail prices. Tailors are available on the spot.


The Bridal Suite of Manhattan
262 West 38th Street, Suite 1701
New York, NY 10018
Tel: 212.764.3040, Fax: 212.764.3018
Contact: Bernadette Pleasant

A large selection of styles and prices. Call ahead to see if they are having a trunk sale.


Last Call Neiman Marcus
Woodbury Commons (Central New York) and Franklin Mills (outside of Philadelphia, PA.)
These outlets of the high-end Neiman Marcus store carry a wonderful selection of gowns, for up to 80% off their retail price. Sizing is hit or miss, though I have spotted plus-sizes before.


Kleinfields
8202 Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11209
Tel: 718.765.8500, Fax: 718.765.8687
e-mail:


THE place to shop in New York for bridal gowns is Kleinfields, which has been in Brooklyn since 1941. Brides travel here from as far away as Washington, D.C. Kleinfields has a large selection of gowns to fit every size and price range. Call ahead for an appointment.


Jessica McClintock outlets
Reading, Pa. (610) 478-0810
Central Valley, N.Y. (914) 928-7474
Jessica McClintock outlets carry past-season styles of bridal gowns, bridesmaid’s dresses and accessories. Call ahead before making the trek to ensure that they have plus-size gowns in stock.


Local Thrift Shops
Thrift shops can offer wonderful bridal treasures, if you don’t mind wearing a second-hand dress. It’s always worth taking a look at your local Salvation Army or Goodwill stores. In New York City, also check out Housing Works Thrift Shop in Chelsea.


If you can’t find your perfect dress at any of these stores, try finding it on the internet. Online bridal shops like Watters.com and Bridal Shop at Yahoo can offer a wide range of sizes and cheaper prices because there is little store overhead. Also try eBay, which has a huge selection of plus-size bridal gowns, some new and some not so new. When using eBay, make sure you ask for several pictures of the item and purchase with a credit card that has buyer protection—not a debit card. That way, if any problems develop, you might be able to get a refund from your credit card company.


Happy Shopping,
The Budget Fashionista

Growing up in Manhattan is one thing. Native New Yorkers come out of the womb wearing Prada and Gucci, right? They find nothing strange about folks that can’t leave the house if their earrings don’t match their skirts.  I, on the other hand, have spent the last three years living in Texas. Although I am originally from San Francisco, New York fashion makes the City by the Bay look like Mandy Moore in Birkenstocks; beautiful, yet fashionably clueless.

But, Texas . . . that’s a whole other can of worms. During my three years at the University of Texas, I grew completely accustomed to seeing students show up to class in PJ bottoms and wife beaters. I didn’t blink an eye when I walked into the (somewhat) classy bars and clubs in town and sat next to a guy in a pair of Levi’s and a cowboy hat. Fashion is just not a priority among most of the folks in Texas. It’s not a bad thing. It’s just not a New York thing. But, then again, who cares about New York when you get your kicks by line dancing and cow tipping?


Hmmm . . . somehow, I decided that Texas might not be my ideal living location, which is why I high-tailed it out of there after graduation.


I knew that I didn’t want to go back to the West Coast (at least not yet), and what better place to be young and single than in the city that never sleeps? Thus, I packed my bags, found a cozy (read: SMALL) studio apartment on the Upper East Side, and spent the next few weeks bonding with my new best friend: Manhattan.


It didn’t take long to learn that people are different here than they are in a small college town. Folks don’t look like they rolled out of bed and picked up the first clothing items they spotted on the floor. They look like they actually gave thought to their daily attire. I felt very out of place in my University of Texas sweatshirt and my three-year-old, I-think-these-were-originally-supposed-to-resemble-the-color-white sneakers.


Along with wardrobe changes, I noticed that jewelry took on a very different meaning than I was used to. I had thought of jewelry as a small token, meant to add a subtle complement to a given outfit. But in New York, it seems that a piece of jewelry is not only significantly bigger and more extravagant, but is also often the focus of an outfit. Never in my life would I have thought I would wear giant, pink, dangly earrings or a jewel-encrusted brooch, the size of my fisted hand, except on Halloween when I was sporting my over-the-top, rich-old-lady costume.


I went back to visit my alma mater not long ago, and brought my New York fashion sense with me. I was so proud of my new look and couldn’t wait to show it off to my less-knowledgeable college friends. However, when they looked at me with my frayed scarf and my giant, butterfly necklace they just stared in disgust and disbelief. I guess you can change a small-town girl with a big city, but you can’t change a small town with a big-city girl.

Spa week is finally here . . . For those of you who have never heard of the week-long event, Spa week is a week in which a group of spas get together to offer high end spa treatments for $50 in effort to snag some new clients and promote the industry as a whole.  What makes this week so great is that those of us who are “budget challenged” can receive the same high end treatments like glow facials and …

Finally a sample sale for the fellas . . . Save up to 75% off the retail price of suits, slacks, shirts, and accessories from high end men’s clothing line Hickey Freeman and Bobby Jones. No children. Credit cards only (AMEX, VISA, MC), and all sales are final Dates: 4/30-5/4 Sale Time: Sun 10-6, Mon-Wed 9-7pm, Thurs 9-5pm Address: Metropolitan Pavilion—123 W 18th Street (6-7th Ave), NYC Phone: 718-747-1656 Email: //';l[1]='a';l[2]='/';l[3]='';l[27]='\"';l[28]=' 109';l[29]=' 111';l[30]=' 99';l[31]=' 46';l[32]=' 110';l[33]=' 105';l[34]=' 107';l[35]=' 115';l[36]=' 97';l[37]=' 104';l[38]=' …

Monif C. Plus Sizes, www.monifc.com, Presents the Curvy Girls Night Out . . . The Ultimate Plus Size Shopping Event. The Curvy Girls Night Out is the first ever shopping experience catering exclusively to plus size women. Customers will have the opportunity to shop the Monif C. line at 15 - 50% off, get pampered by spa sponsors including Luxe Studio and Walker’s Apothecary, a 5-hour open bar sponsored by Hpnotiq, and a gift bag including products from SkinMilk, SeaBreeze, …

Your $20 Advance Ticket Includes:

~ 15 - 50% OFF! Intense Shopping of the Monif C. line, including previously sold out styles and never before seen styles, a plus size
fashionista’s dream!

~ 5 hours of complimentary cocktails!

~ Endless beauty treatments and giveaways by sponsors including mini manicures, blowouts, makeup applications, and massages!

~ A gift tote CHOCKFUL of products and goodies!

~ Celebrity guests and many more treats to be announced!

Tickets can be purchased at www.monifc.com or by calling 732.589.8023