Wal Mart
New Designer Budget Lines for Fall
So, the recession’s starting to get to you - you’re tired of fishing for halfway decent clothes at Goodwill, avoiding the non-sales racks like the plague, and ditching your daily Starbucks just so you can afford a pair of shoes or a handbag every once in a while. Fall’s coming, and you can’t sacrifice your style any longer. Well, you don’t have to. We’ve found some great designer budget lines that will keep you looking fab.
MaxAzria/Miley Cyrus at Wal-Mart
Back to school shopping is a whole lot more affordable, thanks to Miley Cyrus. Though, if you’re parenting a teen who’s obsessed with the pop icon, you’ve probably paid your dues. The current Wal-Mart collection (which also is credited to Max Azria) includes leopard leggings and tie-dye tank tops, and nearly everything is under $10.
Eek! By Eugenia Kim (at Urban Outfitters)
Okay, so it may not be dirt cheap. But Kim’s set of hats are super cute and probably worth it. The stylish head gear goes for $28 to $48. We think the $38 grey and purple Belt Beret fits in well with the latest fall trends.
Ana Sui at Target
There’s been a lot of buzz about Ana Sui’s collab with Target, as it’s inspired by the CW’s wildly popular “Gossip Girl” series. We haven’t gotten a good look at the clothes yet, but if the TV show’s any indicators, it’s going to be fairly fab. Look out for it in September, and make sure to get to the store ASAP, because it’ll only last through October 17th.
Rachel Rachel Roy at Macy’s
Okay, so maybe you’re not going to dish out $100 for a handbag. However, for your more pristine clothing purchases, Rachel Roy’s diffusion line is a reasonably-priced option. Plus, it’s a lot of fun - spunky, youthful, and just a touch of attitude. (Prices will range from $59 all the way up to $109.) Check out this cute draped sleeve tee for $59.
Wal-Mart Lowers Price on Debit Cards
What: Wal-Mart’s prepaid debit card just got cheaper—once $9, it’s now just $3 (other fees associated with the card have also been lowered). The typical price of a money card like this is anywhere from 10 to 15 bucks.
What They Say:
“While we’ll make a little less money than we would with that other pricing, we feel like this is one of those game-changer type moves,” said Jane Thompson, president of Wal-Mart’s financial services division, in an interview.
What We Say: The debit card is just one of the many moves the retailer we love to hate has made to keep customers coming back day after day; it’s also opening 1,000 financial services centers (instead of its own bank, a recently abandoned idea) in 2009. By doing this, Wal-Mart can target shoppers who don’t have bank accounts but still need to pay bills, transfer money, and do other basic tasks. And for those who do have bank accounts/credit cards, etc, there will be just one more reason to one stop shop at Wal-Mart.
Should we applaud Wal-Mart for making it easier for folks on a budget to buy what they want and need, or feel a little nervous about this expansion? Let us know if you’ve used Wal-Mart financial services or its debit card - what has your experience been like?
The Budget Fashionista’s Weekly Retail Closing Report for Feb 27
It’s a mixed bag this week - overall, retailers are falling farther and farther from grace (even online sales are dropping), but some are getting creative at getting consumers back. Here’s a round up of what’s been going on in the industry this week.
Sears Canada has cut 300 jobs (good news is that’s not even 1% of its workforce); this is coupled with its “budget relief price drop” campaign, aimed at budget-conscious Canadians.
Meanwhile, JC Penney and Macy’s continue to struggle, implying that more stores could be closing. Macy’s has decided to look to 2010 for relief, positioning itself in niche markets via its new “My Macy’s” program, all the while distancing itself from not-so-frugal fads and designer labels. Smart thinking.
As predicted, S&K Menswear is officially closing 30 stores, and that’s just the start of it (it’s gone bankrupt).
Wal-Mart, on the other hand, is doing awesome (relatively) and is even opening up more stores in Mexico.
Some retailers are taking advantage of the growing population of recessionistas, like Nordstrom, which plans to open 10 discount Rack stores.
Seems like retailers are gradually discovering the recession’s silver lining, changing up their strategies and philosophies, but is it too little, too late?
Read up on the past reports:
February 20th Report
February 9th Report
February 4th Report
January 23rd Report
Taylor Swift Sundresses at Wal-Mart
Teen star Taylor Swift is launching an upcoming line of colorful, cotton sundresses with discount retailer Wal-Mart. Swift acknowledges she’s no designer, but wants to expand her personal brand nonetheless, states: “In these hard times, making expensive dresses just doesn’t make any sense.”. The line features three dress styles—two tie-back and one tiered, all for less than $15. The line is set to hit Wal-Mart February 1st and March 1st.
Norma Kamali Suits on a Budget
No one knows budget better than teachers—seriously, dressing professionally on a teacher’s salary? It’s a challenge. Fortunately, Norma Kamali —who we just keep finding new reasons to love—is on it. Apparently public schools are her pet cause, and with teachers in mind she’s designed suiting separates that are, er, suitable for teachers, and any other budget-conscious professional woman for that matter. We’re talking serious budget—just $20 for a jacket, and skirt or pants for $15 each. Where, you ask? Wal-Mart. Don’t shoot us. We’re just the messengers.
The current selections are sold out in stores but can still be picked up online, and new pieces will be available seasonally.
How to Shop Walmart
We can hear the collective groan from all of the fashionistas who turn up their noses at shopping the aisles of the local WalMart. We realize that shopping for workwear just yards from the frozen food aisle might not make for the most aesthetically appealing shopping experience, but bear with us.
Know Your Lines. Not all products at Walmart are created equal. We have a couple of lines we really like—George, Metro7, and currently Norma Kamali (primarly available online). Look to the George collection for on-trend workwear (check out this charmuese Kimono blouse, just 10 bucks), and Metro7 is our pick for slightly more casual (but stylish) apparel (example: this short sleeve cowl neck sweater, $12). We’ve given lots of press to Norma Kamali’s line and with good reason—it’s versatile, stylish, and super inexpensive—in a word, a winner. And for the juniors, we’d recommend the new L.e.i. collection for teen-centric denim and tops.
Know When to Shop. Obviously, avoid weekends and evenings wherever possible. However, there’s more to it than that—Walmart stores generally get shipments and restock nightly, so for the best selection, you should arrive early in the a.m. (stop on the way to work), and for markdowns and clearance? Walmart’s mark down schedules differ from store to store, so don’t be afraid to ask your local store manager for their particular markdown/clearance schedule.
Take Advantage of Site to Store Shipping. If you can’t find what you want in your local store but see it online, Wal-Mart offers FREE site to store shipping—meaning you can go online, order items with the Site to Store logo, select site to store under your shipping options, pick your location, and wait for an email telling you it’s arrived. All you have to do is head to the store to pick it up and pay the regular retail price—no shipping charges.
Shoes, Shoes, Shoes. Our experience is this: while some of the shoes you’ll find at Wal-Mart are less than couture, others—and we always find at least a few pairs—are totally cute, affordable, and durable. Angela’s current favorite pair is from Wal-Mart
, for example—George purple patent slingbacks, picked up at regular price for $13, and worn with everything from jeans to dress pants to pencil skirts and more, with multiple compliments every time (and no one can believe they only cost 13 bucks). Kathryn is in love with the cushiony house slippers she purchased for just $5. Again, brand is key—we again would recommend you stick with George, Norma Kamali, and No Boundaries for the best (and most stylish) bets.
Try It On. When you’re shopping at a discount store like Wal-Mart, you will have to understand that certain elements are just not going to be perfect. Fit is one of them. While that’s not to say you can’t get a great-fitting garment there—we certainly have—the fit and construction are not necessarily going to be ideal or consistent, even if you ALWAYS wear a size 9. Unless you enjoy making return trips to the Walmart Customer Service Desk (and if you’ve not done this before, trust us—the lines usually ain’t pretty) take a few moments to hit the dressing rooms and save yourself some grief.
Organic Clothing. Walmart, like many other retailers, is attempting (slowly) to get on the organic clothing bandwagon—and while the offerings are slim, if buying organic is important to you, Walmart stocks a range of apparel items for women, men, kids and babies made with organic cotton (or, interestingly, things like this t-shirt made from cotton and polyester made from recycled Coca Cola bottles—really.).
Depressionista? Wal-Mart Is the Hot New Store
Update 12/17: Still doubt me? Check out this recent article quoting newly released retail stats. Apparently Wal-Mart is doing so well, that it may actually save the retail industry from… wait for it… a depression.
Wal-Mart is the Hot New Store
Six months ago, people (okay, mostly New Yorkers) laughed when I would say the above statement. However, with the failure of the auto industry bailout, high end stores virtually liquidating their stock, and “Depressionista” replacing the term “Recessionista” as the new “ista” term, Wal-Mart and other discount mass market stores are in the prime position to be the hot new stores.. if for no other reason than they may be the ONLY shops in town.
Why do I think Wal-Mart so hot?
First, it’s the economy stupid. Wal-Mart, through it’s mass bargaining power and it’s revolutionary distribution system, is able to sell items at a low price, at a time when our incomes are dropping at an alarming rate. In a challenging economy, brand loyalty, tends to go out the window and cheaper prices equal more costumers. For example, a pair of black leggings, which retail for $19.99 at H&M and $9.99 at Target, can be found at Wal -Mart for $6. Don’t even get me started on the Sam’s Club brand of groceries—the brand’s powered lemonade mix is a full $3.00 cheaper than the Crystal Light version. As consumers struggle to meet their basic necessities, having the brand named version of items in which you can’t really distinguish between the branded version and the “generic” version, like in the case of black leggings, will frankly not be a priority.
Second, reckless consumerism is dying. Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw, one of the most popular female fictional characters of the past decade, treated consumerism as if it was a personality trait. In fact, one of the most popular episodes from the series focused on the fact that Carrie had $30,000 worth of shoes in her closet, but no money in the bank. If the show was still on air, we would find Carrie laid off from her columnist gigs and forced to sell her shoes on eBay to cover her mortgage. Instead of taking a Lincoln Town car to Barneys, she would be taking a Zipcar to the Secaucus Wal-Mart. The Carrie Bradshaw’s of the world are not the only ones changing. We’re also seeing several, very interesting trends, such as the reemergence of layaway and stylistas choosing the more time consuming process of sell their clothing on eBay and to consignment stores, rather than throwing them in a bag and dropping them at the local charity thrift shop.
Third, one stop shopping is back. Like a lot of men, my husband doesn’t like to shop. In fact he breaks out into hives at the mere thought of having to spend time in a retail establishment…..except for one….Wal-Mart. Why does he, and apparently a large number of the male population, like to shop at Wal-Mart? In the words of my hubby: “I can get in and out of the store in less than 20 minutes and I don’t need to comparison shop because I know it’s the cheapest price”. The Wal-Mart brand embodies traits that men admire - realism, practicality, efficiency. These are the very same traits we’re seeing praised in society today. Case in point: the realistic appeal of Michelle Obama and the way she wears very practical outfits from mall-based stores like Gap, a store where she can efficiently purchase items for herself, the President-elect, and then walk next door and purchase items for her children.
Fourth, Wal-Mart itself has become more fashionable. The store has really upped its style game, remodeling its women’s apparel section, getting rid of product lines by corny c-list celebrities, launching organic lines while Target was still pushing Proenza Schouler to folks who frankly didn’t care, and launching the brilliant Norma Kamali for Wal-Mart line. Wal -Mart, unlike it’s competitor Target, also didn’t forget their core consumer. While Target focused on expanding it’s junior lines, totally ignoring the working moms who usually shop at the store,Wal-Mart developed a partnership with Kamali, to create stylish versions of the sweats Wal-Mart costumers love in, OMG, misses sizes. I predict that many top designers, (my dream is Marc Jacobs), will be begging Wal-Mart to allow them to produce a budget, mass market line for the store.
Fifth, the cool kids want to play. According to CNET, Wal-Mart will sell the Apple iPhone and Nintendo Wiis, arguably the two hottest holiday gift items, this December at select stores. As any former high school student can tell you, once the cool kids accept you, it’s only a matter of time before you become a cool kid yourself.
Norma Kamali at Wal-Mart line in Stores Now
Just got word from TBF reader Shelia, that the Norma Kamali line is now available at Wal-Mart. We’ve been tracking this recent designer budget fashion line for a while now, so we’re glad that it has been finally released. I was just there last week and didn’t see the line in the store, so it must have just been released. If you do head to Wal-Mart to check out the line, please send us your photos as well as your thoughts on the line.
Check out the line on Wal-Mart.com’s website.
Norma Kamali to Create Line for Wal-Mart
Norma Kamali is creating a line of affordable fashions for Wal-Mart. According to WWD, Kamali, who is known for her wearable knit creations,“will create an exclusive collection that will include women’s wear, children’s clothing, accessories, footwear and home items.”
Partnerships aren’t anything new for Kamali, she’s partnered with Spiegel for her Timeless line, a collection of mid-priced interchangable rayon knit pieces, as well as partnered with sportswear/exercise clothing company Everlast, for a line of casual sportswear and with Nordstroms for a plus size line.
While I love the fact that Wal-Mart is trying to partner with a relatively well known designer, Kamali does run the risk of spreading herself so thin that she does none of her many extension lines well.
The line will be sold online at Wal-Mart.com and in stores.
High vs. Low: The Animal Print Flat
“THESE PRODUCTS ARE NO LONGER BEING SOLD”
The Challenge: Animal printed ballerina flats are everywhere this season and is a great way to add a bit of flavor to your wardrobe without looking like the cat lady. Above are three different takes on the trend: One is VERY cheap, one pair is VERY expensive, and one pair falls somewhere in between- so which is which?
Answer: The first one, from Wal-Mart for $12.74, costs less than a New York City movie, the second one is a pricey pair by Betsey Johnson for $230 at Zappos.com, and the last one is a more affordable version of the flat by Me Too, for $82.95 also at Zappos.com
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Fashion Advice: Conservative Fashion Tips for Plus Size Student
Dear Budget Fashionista,
I am a plus size, 28 year old college student that is currently working in a pizza restaurant. Where should I start? I have taken the quiz in your book and it said that I am conservative.
Answer: First take a deep breath. A long deep breath. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will your closet. First start with the Perfect Ten, the ten things every woman should have in their closet and adjust them for your lifestyle.
As a college student, you might want to focus on purchasing a pair or two of nice jeans, jeans that you can dress up with a nice pair of black pumps and a nice top (don’t wear these jeans to work). Avoid low-low rise jeans and jeans with sequins, embroidery and other types of embellishments (no Baby Phat or Apple Bottom jeans). Look for jeans that have a wider leg and/or a boot cut. Make sure when you sit down the seams of the pants aren’t stressing (you can tell if the jeans are stressing because you will be able to see the seams stretch, like it’s about to pull apart). Try stores like Lane Bryant, Ashley Stewart, Avenue, Marshalls, Ross, TJ Maxx (which often has nice plus size jeans for less than $20) for jeans. Wal-Mart
also makes a good quality jeans.
Then you want to look for tops, purchasing at least two tops for every pair of jeans/pants you in your closet. Why? Because you can wear the jeans over and over again and no one will notice, but it’s harder to do the same with tops. Since you’re more on the conservative side, look for collared shirts (wear them tucked in if you have defined waist) and shirts made of cotton, rather than clingy knit materials. Always make sure you iron your shirts. Check out the stores I listed above, but also don’t forget to look at Dillard’s, Macy’s and Lord and Taylor’s, which often have amazing sales on summer items that you can also work during the fall months.
You’ll also want to check out wrap dresses, in black or brown, because you can instantly dress them up (for interviews, meetings, church, etc) or dress them down (for school, night out). Make sure it’s a dress that makes you feel good, feel beautiful, and wraps completely around without showing too much cleavage. Wal-Mart’s George Plus Size line and Target’s Plus Size Mossimo line is a good place to look for these dresses.
Also visit these sites, which have excellent tips and advice for plus size women:
BBW Magazine, Curvychicks Online, and Bombshell Magazine.
Again, start small, even $10 or $20 a month can go a long way in building your wardrobe.
See Jack Shop: Best Men’s Dress Shirts for under $10
Although we will probably share a condo in hell with Sam Walton for saying this, Wal-Mart has the best cheap dress shirts on this planet. Their George line carries a limited, but respectable, number of cotton poplin dress shirt for well under $15.00. Some, like the one featured above, cost less than $10 bucks. The line also has several of the shirts available online in Big and Tall sizes (up to a size 4XL). You can also find a number of shirt sleeve shirts from their “Puritan” (yes, Puritan) for around the $6 range.
Worth a trip hell? You betcha.
Visit the original entry online at seejackshop.com
Great Online Discount Stores
figleaves.com
- One of the biggest online lingerie stores in the UK now has a US based site and if you have a hard to fit bra size, this is the place to buy your bra!. They have a huge selection of designer undergarments,
sleepwear, and swimwear from Dolce and Gabbana, La Perla, Chantelle, and more.
They also have great online coupons and a huge selection of bras from sizes AA
to JJ.
Alternative Outfitters. Prior to discovering Alternative Outfitters, when I of thought vegan clothing I thought of large, unstylish pleather shoes. This online store has cruelty-free versions of the latest trends that even self-centered fashionistas like myself would wear.
Angelamoore.com. The popular Angela Moore catalog comes to life on the site, with quick links to their handcrafted beaded bracelets and homeware items like vases.
Asos.com. A British based site that has affordable “designer inspired” clothing. The site is arranged according to the celebrities who wore the more expensive versions of the clothing.
Bare Necessities.com. Head to Barenecessites.com and view their bra and underwear guides for detailed information and tips on finding the perfect foundation. They also have a nice selection of bras for every size.
Beauty.com. This online store stocks the top beauty products from brands like Philosophy, Nars, and more. Plus, they almost always have online discount coupons.
Bluefly.com. This site has a large assortment of designer bags from Marc Jacobs, Anya Hindmarch, Fendi, Ferragamo, and more for up to 65% off. They usually don’t stock that many of these bags, so when you see one, you need to buy it ASAP.
Coco & Delilah. Ever hip, this store is great for casual wear from designers like Tocca, Nanette Lepore, and Lacoste for up to 60% off retail prices. I’m also a big fan of the Smashing Grandpa line of funky t-shirts.
dELiAs*cOm. Although this store is known mostly for its causal teen wear, dELiAs*cOm is the perfect source for trendy shoes for Budget Fashionistas of any age. Head to the site and find designer-inspired versions of the latest styles, in sizes up to 11, for up to 75% off the price of the designer versions.
ebay.com. eBay is a Budget Fashionista’s secret weapon. The online auction site is the best place to find designer goods at rock bottom prices. However, beware of auctions on high end items that sound too good to be true. Protect yourself by paying for your items with a credit card with buyer protection or through the eBay owned paypal system.
eluxury.com Owned by the parent company of Louis Vuitton, this online store houses the official Louis Vuitton online store as well as sells bags from designers like Celine, Marc Jacobs, and Christian Dior.
Forzieri.com. Based in Florence, Italy, this online shop has an impressive selection of leather goods, fine jewelry, and stylish apparel. Prices on the main site can be pretty steep, so click on the outlet section for exclusive deals on the best in Italian fashion .
Fred Flare. Great site for those who want a little more edge to their accessories. Hipsters head to Fred Flare to find everything from earrings shaped like guitars to the affordable bling of the Loop Bags.
Gap.com. I will always love the Gap, no matter how much they may stray from their denim roots. Its site is still one of the best places online to find jeans and t-shirts in normal people sizes (up to a XXL in tops and up to size 20 in pants online) and normal people price ranges. Plus they often offer free shipping for purchases over a certain dollar amount.
Ice.com. This site was created with the Budget Fashionista in mind. Quality diamond and gemstones in stylish settings and prices you can actually afford.
Jockey.com. Their incredibly comfortable line of cotton bras and underwear make Jockey an excellent stop for the anti-underwire crowd.
La Redoute.com. French women have been raving for years about La Redoute, and finally, American women can benefit from their amazing collection as well. The site has special lines from high-end French designers like Jean Paul Gaultier and Cacharel. This store is probably the only place to find a Jean Paul Gaultier bustier for $29.95.
LUSH. This international beauty phenomena has a wide range of great smelling, cruelty- free products. Their rock star soap goes well with my shower renditions of “Stairway to Heaven.”
Nordstrom.com. The online version of this higher-end department store has a large selection of
shoes and a pretty decent clearance section. The site is especially good for budget fashionistas with hard to find shoe sizes (below a size 6 and above a
10). Particularly impressive is their selection of petite and plus size fashions, which is much more diverse and stylish than their in-store offerings.
Oldnavy.com Trendy items in a wide range of sizes for prices you can afford. Old Navy has firmly cornered the flip-flop market. They actually made the plastic sandals you used to buy at Walgreen’s, stylish and affordable. All you need is $10 and you can buy an entire summer sandal wardrobe. Get an Oldnavy.com Coupon.
Overstock.com . This is the biggest outlet store on the web, which sells everything from scooters to scarves. It is the perfect one stop shop for busy moms who want to pick up something for the kids, but also want to score a little something for their closets as well. Overstock has their own line of clothing, called Prague, which produces “designer inspired” fashions.
SmartBargains.com Loehmann’s and the discount website Smart Bargains, joined to together to put Loehmann’s amazing selection of designer goods online at the joint venture. You’ll find a huge selection of designer bags from Gucci, Tods, Prada and more for up to 80% off retail prices.
Target.com. Target has the best, and one of the biggest, everyday underwear departments in the country. If only they had a fit specialist on hand. I also love their hip, affordable, sleepwear sets from Swell by Cynthia Rowley and Fred Said.
Victoria’s Secret. This lingerie store, with its popular catalog and online site, is a favorite of mall dwellers and teenage boys. Although I wouldn’t necessarily suggest this store for support bras, it’s a great place for sexy bras, trendy apparel, and jeans.
Wal-Mart. Believe or not, Wal-Mart has an excellent selection of designer-inspired pieces for ridiculously low prices. I found a sterling silver heart link bracelet, similar to a version sold at the high-end jewelry store, Tiffany’s, for less than $20 dollars. Only you and the cashier will know you bought it from Wal-Mart.
YOOX.COM.
This European online store is chock full of the best designers from Gaultier to Galliano. It’s sort of like your cool, techno-pop cousin from Italy. You can see what the clothing looks like on the mannequin that strangely floats in the middle of the screen. Selections moves fast, so be prepared to purchase what you like because it might not be there once you come back.
Zappos.com. If you have feet, you can find a pair of shoes at this amazing online shoe store. Zappos lives up to its name as the biggest shoe store on the web, carrying designer shoes and accessories from Vera Wang, Casadei, Judith Leiber, Roberto Cavalli, and more. They have a huge selection and carry tons of sizes. Plus, they always have free shipping.Searching through the site can be a bit daunting, but their huge selection of women’s, men’s, and children’s shoes from Emilio Pucci to Keds, guarantees you will find something to fit your budget. Plus, someone was smart enough to offer both free shipping and free returns.
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