Sears, K Mart, Retail, Shopping
Link Love: Chicago Fashion Focus, Shearlings, Giveaways and more
Second City Style has a coverage on Chicago’s first Fashion Focus evening.
Fabsugar is mad about Minkoff and is giving away a Rebecca Minkoff Stud Rocker Bag.
You Look Fab is a fan of hose and shows some casual twist on textured hose.
Shopalicious enlivens a simple outfit with Plaza Cardigan from Anthropologie.
A Few Goody Gum Drops is inviting everyone to get a chance to win a to-die-for Sydney Evan Pave Diamond Hamsa Conch Shell bracelet from YLANG 23
Shopping and Info loves shearling and shares her favoriteshearling boots, vests and coats.
Viva Fashion Blog found a coat that looks like from Marc Jacobs but for less.
Real Style Real People shares her love/hate relationship with reality show The Rachel Zoe Project.
The Capitol Fashionista is obsessed with flowers, ruffles and bows.
Fashionable Gals is hosting a Fashionable Gals For A Cure Fundraiser & GIVEAWAY! Help them raise money for breast cancer and get a chance to win tons of great prizes from companies like Gillette, Philosophy, Urban Decay, Ella Moss and more!
Real Luxe found a fun sparkly sequins dress just in time for party season.
Fashion Pulse Daily gives us a peek of the upcoming Carlos Falchi handbags for Target.
All You compiled a list of affordable high style winter jackets.
Sponsored Video: Kathryn Takes the Supreme Maxxinista Challenge
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L. L. Bean Gets a Modern Look
What: L. L. Bean, the clothing company known best for its monogrammed backpacks and outdoor-gear, is updating its look. Beginning in March, the company will introduce L. L. Bean Signature, a more modern collection featuring tailored linen blazers, buffalo plaid shirts, camp jackets, and madras shirtdresses with prices that are expected to be nearly the same as L. L. Bean’s traditional collections.
What They Say:
“Chris Vickers, a vice president in charge of L. L. Bean Signature, said the prices have not been determined but that you can expect a woven shirt to cost $50 to $70 and a sport jacket about $200. The biggest difference from the classic sportswear will be a fit that is closer to the body.”
What We Say: Call it camping chic. As more companies enter the outerwear market, it makes sense that L. L. Bean would look to diversify its offerings with an updated collection. We just hope they don’t stray too far from the company’s traditional aesthetic. But $200 for a sport jacket may be a bit out of our range.
MySears.com/MyKmart.com: Site Review
Sears and Kmart, despite their cheap prices, have long been all but off our clothes shopping radar; we don’t count them out completely but as a general rule the quality and style is just sub-par—after all, cheap doesn’t mean it’s a deal. Having said that, we would shop Sears and Kmart for other stuff—particularly household items—so we’re open to checking out anything new they have to offer their customers, like their new shopping community sites, MySears.com and MyKmart.com.
Our Review: First, let us just say we’re pleased that Sears and Kmart are making some efforts to be current and responsive to customers. The MySears and MyKmart sites are basically shopping communities for customers to join—a place to write reviews, give feedback, ask questions, take polls and, most importantly, share ideas to improve the Sears and Kmart shopping experiences. It’s a “we’re all in this together” marketing approach that, quite frankly, could be pretty darn effective in this age of social media.
The sites themselves are fine—visually appealing and user-friendly. But in perusing the user comments and blog entries, we find ourselves wondering how many of the positive posts are by actual users and how many are by Kmart/Sears marketing folks. We mean, in response to an announcement about a new Kmart website design, someone wrote “OMG what a great idea!!! Go Kmart!! I’m glad to see Kmart is moving and moving in the right direction!!!” Okay, maybe they really are just super excited about it—who are we to judge? But still.
Interestingly, much of what you’ll see in the discussion boards are complaints, but you’ll also see Kmart representatives responding and offering advice. Which we gotta give them props for. You’ll also find coupons on the sites, so it’s worth a look before you start filling your online shopping basket or head out to the store ...
The Verdict: Overall a yea, assuming you are a Sears or Kmart shopper already; if you’re not, at least it might be worth making some suggestions to make the stores more appealing, since they seem to be open to input ...
The Budget Fashionista’s Weekly Retail Report
In March, we saw signs that the economy is stabilizing - retail stocks are up, particularly for Sears Canada and UNIQLO. Other good news: Topshop finally opened in New York; it appears to have lived up to all the hype. And jewelers are thankful for brides and grooms-to-be, as the bridal industry appears to be recession-proof.
But it’s not all rainbows and sunshine. The luxury market continues to nose dive. Profits at Versace, for example, dropped quite a bit (but mostly do to exchange rate flux).
Meanwhile, Macy’s was “downgraded to junk” by an investment firm. That’s gotta hurt. Macy’s has company, though. A mall in Long Island defaulted on a $124 million mortgage payment, all because its two top stores went bankrupt.
In even gloomier news - Gottschalks is finally set to liquidate. Portland’s Zells Broz. Jewelers is following in its footsteps, announcing that it, too, is closing down.
Who were the casualties in all of this? In march, 6,500 retail jobs were lost. Ouch.
Give Us Your Two Cents… Take the TBF Survey
Five reason to take the TBF shopping survey:
5. It only takes 10 minutes (unless you decide to write the unabridged version of your life story)
4. It’s completely anonymous, no one will know that you once spent $500 on a pair of diamond encrusted Crocs
3. You can see how much your fellow shoppers spent on certain items (so you can see whether or not they spent $500 on a pair of diamond encrusted Crocs)
2. The results are shared with the complete fashion/shopping online community.
And the number one reason to take the TBF Shopping Survey….
The Cool Kids are doing it.
The Budget Fashionista’s Weekly Retail Report for March 29
It seems the news is getting worse by the minute for luxury retailers, but it’s starting to look up for the rest. Consumer spending has seen and upward trend in late February and March, and the shareholders of Saks, Ann Taylor, Liz Claiborne, Quicksilver, and Macy’s are feeling a little more optimistic about the future.
Goodwill and the Dollar General Store are both doing peachy, as you might expect, so much so that Goodwill’s expanding.
But the retailers that can’t stay relevant in this economy, in other words the retailers that don’t offer up lower cost products, are just digging themselves deeper and deeper into a hole.
Here’s a wrap-up:
Beauty sales, in general, are plummeting.
Tiffany’s earnings have fallen 76% and the retailer’s still too stubborn to lower prices.
DSW had a rough quarter, but Sketchers plans to grow its business in South America.
Luxury menswear designer Thom Browne’s on the brink of bankruptcy.
As companies suffer, so do their charities.
Wet Seal’s not doing so hot.
H&M profits fell 12%.
Hugo Boss has had better days.
Jeweler Charles and Colvard report a 47% drop in sales.
What about jobs?
Barney’s is letting go 76 employees.
Wal-Mart (yes, Wal-Mart) is shutting down an optical lab and in the process, cutting 650 jobs.
Swarovski Crystal is laying off 650.
Active Ride (skateboarders and surfers know this one well) has filed for Chapter 11.
Maybe we should all start thinking outside the shoe box, like suit maker Canali, which has just purchased a software company called Datafashion.
The Return of Layaway? You Betcha.
What: Could it be true? Layaway (when you put items on “hold” for a period of time and make payments toward the purchase of the item) is back.
What They Say: New York Daily News: “The old-fashioned purchase plan, which had its heyday in the ‘20s and ‘30s but dwindled in the days of easy credit, lets shoppers who can’t afford full price at checkout pay as they go. But instead of putting that toy or new coat on plastic and bringing it home, buyers leave items on hold at the store until they’re all paid up.”
What I Say: Yipee!! I have very fond memories of layaway (also called “Lay-By”), as it was the only way I was able to stock my closet full of Girbaud jeans back in the day. Now, with access to credit limited and bank accounts running empty, it makes sense that layaway makes a comeback. Also, layway is a lot less risky than issuing a credit card to the customer, as the entire value of the items aren’t lost if the customer doesn’t comeback for the items, but the entire amount owed on a credit card can be lost if the customer defaults.
Stores that have Layaway
Daffy’s
Marshalls
Sears
K-Mart
elayaway.com
Burlington Coat Factory
Wal-Mart (reports that it does/does not)
Photo/Art Credit: Anne Lee Arts
The Under $75 Event Outfit
Most of us can get away with a pretty basic wardrobe most of the time (our red carpet event invitations keep getting lost in the mail, evidently). However, and especially this time of year, the occasional “occasion” presents itself, and we find ourselves scrambling to find something a little more special to slip into. With plenty of family, work, and community holiday events just around the corner—and a budget that’s slim, to say the least—we’ve pulled together this event look for under $75 (and the red satin dress alone looks like it’s worth more than that . . . )
Satin Dress, $39.99, Newport News
Pleated Satin Pump, $12.50, Forever21
Cocktail Ring, $14, Newport News
Botkier for Target wristlet, $4.99, Amazon.com
Total Cost (Before Tax): $71.48
Up to 80% Off Women’s Clearance at Sears: Daily Deal
The Deal: Sear’s Clearance Blowout in Women's Apparel - save up to 80% off original prices
The Lowdown: Sears isn’t always our go-to spot for fashion, but with prices up to 80% off? It’s totally worth searching for that gem or two for less. Like, for example, this Apostrophe Novelty Stitch Cardigan, on sale now for an astounding $4.49! Or, this Covington Women’s Plus Sateen 1 Button Jacket, on sale for just $33.99. Deals like this don’t last long, of course, so start shopping now.
Shop: Sears.com
Summer Clearance and $1.99 Shipping at Sears: Daily Deal
The Deal: Sears is offering big savings on summer apparel this week, along with $1.99 shipping.
The Lowdown: It’s still steamy enough outside that you might be in the market for some summer apparel to wear right now, or perhaps you’re just thinking ahead to next year—either way, Sears has some hot summer savings on seasonal apparel worth checking out. We like this J Taylor 2-Piece Crinkle Blouse with Cotton Skirt, on clearance for $11.19, and this versatile Covington Linen Jacket, just $21.59 right now. An extra bonus? Take advantage of $1.99 shipping on apparel and shoe orders over $49.
Shop the Sale: Sears.com, and remember—clearance means sizes and supplies are limited. Go now!
Sears Super Saturday Sale!
The Deal: Sears is holding a Super Saturday Sale tomorrow, June 7. Both in-store and online there’ll be thousands of great deals for you. Women’s dresses, activewear, swimwear, summer clothes and sandals will be discounted up to 50%. The entire store will be on sale, so check out their other departments for Father’s Day, kids and the house. If the jewelry counters beckon you, indulge—gold jewelry is up to 60% off. There’s Doorbuster Deals from 9 am-12 pm for those of you willing to wake up early.
What We Say: We love Sears for their affordable basics. Use the discounts at the gigantic sale tomorrow to take care of the remaining gaps in your summer wardrobe. Head to the men’s department for Father’s Day shopping—you can get him a cheap, fashionable new outfit.
Check out our finds:
This skirt’s splashy, flowery print makes it appropriate for a backyard barbecue party.
Dads will like this simple but classy pin-striped button down shirt—pair it with khakis.
It’s a good time to get gold jewelry—above is a gorgeous pair of diamond stud earrings for only $99.
Labor Day Weekend Sales
THESE SALES HAVE ENDED
In Store Sales
Bloomingdales—Big Brown Sale now thru Sept 4th. Up to 25% clothings for the entire family. Plus major deals on things for the home.
Macys—Up to 50% off store wide (also online as well)
Parisian- $10 off $50 in Denim.
Sears—Buy one, Get one free shoe sale.
JC Penney’s—Biggest Home Sale of the year (plus save on rings, earrings, and other accessories.
Chelsea Premium Outlets—Labor Day Weekend Sale
Barney’s—The Barney’s Warehouse Sale continues until Sept. 4th
Online Sales
Bluefly.com—“Semi-Annual Bluesale - Now up to 75% off. Our biggest sale of the season!”Torrid.com—50% off Regular Price at the Torrid.com Clearance
Nordstrom.com—Shoe Clearance, up to 33% off
Gap.com—Free shipping on purchases of $100 or more at gap.com!. Plus $5 shipping for purchases under $100, use coupon code: TAKEFIVE.
Fashion Advice: Tips for Dressing for a High School Reunion
Dear Budget Fashionista,
My 10-year high school reunion is coming up and I need help dressing for two events—a happy hour and an evening event.
Help!
Ready for Reunion
Dearest Ready for Reunion,
For your ten-year reunion you want to make a statement that says: yes, high school was fun, but my life is now even better.
So this is what you do: For the Happy Hour, you want to be casual, but stylish. Wear a nice pair of fitted jeans with a slight boot-cut if your bigger on the bottom or straight legged if you’ve got a slim bottom. Head to Filene’s Basement and score a pair of designer jeans from Seven, James or Citizens for Humanity at a heavy discount (usually between $29.99-$59.99). On the less expensive side try Express, Z. Cavarruchi or Levis. If you can, and only if you can, wear a pair of the new skinny jeans. Buy a nicely fitted blazer that hits you right at the smallest part of your torso (for most women that’s slightly above the waist or right below your butt). Some places to look for great jackets: H&M, Ann Taylor, Bloomingdale’s, and Nordstrom. Accessorize your outfit with high quality fake diamond earrings that look at least one carat in size. All night long, constantly place your hair behind your ears so everyone can get a good look at the earrings. Wear a pair of sexy black pumps and bring a nice little black clutch. Trust me, you will be the most fashionable person at the reunion.
Reunion Evening Event: For evening events, you want to look dressy—but not too dressy. Look for an empire waist, halter or strapless dress if you feel confident in your arms in any color but black—forest green, violet, and rose are all great colors for an evening event. However, if you feel uncomfortable with your arms or wish you could have lose a few more pounds before the party, wear the classic little black dress from a store like Macy’s, or Bluefly.com. The dress needs to fit perfectly to carry off this look, so head to your nearest tailor, if necessary. Accessories: wear your diamonds (again,1-carat fakes from Sears and New York and Co. look as good as the real thing). For shoes wear pumps, because pumps elongate your body making you thinner and more statue-esque. Zappos.com and Steve Madden both have a great selection of sexy pumps.
Now the most important thing to wear is a smile. At least you do not have to take gym class again.
Happy Shopping,
The Budget Fashionista
Children’s Clothing on a Budget
I never knew how hard it was to find affordable, age appropriate clothing for children until I became an aunt. It’s next to impossible to find a cute dress for a girl for under $50. Is it too much to ask to pay less for a boys suit than I pay for a suit for my husband? After 9 years as an aunt and now that I’m starting a family of my own, I’m a woman on a mission to find adorable children’s fashions without going into bankruptcy.
Here’s what I’ve found so far. . .
Dressing girls
Most of us struggle to find clothing for girls that don’t make your favorite five-year-old look like a midget Paris Hilton. Of course there’s the usual suspects— Old NavyChildren’s Place, and GapKids. These stores offer fun, but age appropriate items for your bidding fashionista at reasonable prices. But my favorite store for girls is H&M. H&M has some of cutest clothing for girls at even cheaper prices than the GapKids
. Another favorite is Target. The best store to bargain shop for girls is at Target. The options are limitless and the clothes are well constructed with most items in the $10-$17 range. Plus shopping at target is very acceptable (unlike K-MART), so you can save money without worry about the “cool” factor. When shopping these stores remember this tip: always buy items like pants and jackets one size up, so that it can last into the beginning of the following year.
Dressing boys
It seems like the designers of boys clothing are hell-bent on making them look like little action heroes. Bargain shopping for these tykes is an art form that few know how to do. Target has great stuff for little guys, with Children’s Place giving the most for your bucks. However, SEARS is also a great place to find cute little items from designers like Sean John and Levi, for very reasonable prices. Although Old Navy is great place for basics like Cargo pants, the really cool stuff is at GapKids
. Bright colored lumberjack jackets and knit caps will keep your little guy looking stylish. Another good place is Marshall’s and T.J. Maxx. Usually both these stores have nice suits from designers like Polo Ralph Lauren for such a bargain that you could also pick them up a a pair of dress shoes to complete the outfit.
Dressy outfits
When you want to spend a little more on either a good suit or party dress, head to the outlets of the big expensive department stores, like Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstrom. The outlets of these stores all have children departments, with designers like Betsey Johnson and Ralph Lauren for kids. Nordstrom has an amazing selection of shoes for little ones as well.
Avoid department stores that tend to price children’s clothing at the same price point as adults. There is no justification for a 4T Ralph Lauren Skirt to cost that same as an adult skirt. However, if you’re a department store shopper try stores like Macys, which offer great deals on children’s clothing during their major sale events, and SEARS, where the clothes are guaranteed to last thru at least one kickball season.
Saving grace - The internet
The Internet has revolutionized shopping for children. Long gone are the days of having to meander through stores with a screaming three-year-old. Put the kids to bed, grab a cup of chamomile tea and start to shop. Check out these great online stores:
GapKids- A wide selection of causal and dress clothes for girls and boys. Great clearance section.
Zappos.com- Great selection of shoes from designers like Bibi and Kenneth Cole.
Target.com - Cheap and Cool. A great combo.
Overstock.com - A wide selection and rock bottom prices. Great for coats.
Babystyle- Adorable clothing for babies and toddlers. Make sure to search Google for coupon codes before shopping at the store.
Fashion Advice: Where to Find Nicole Miller and BCBG Bridge Lines
Dear Budget Fashionista,
Is it true that both Nicole Miller and BCBG have lines at JC Penney’s? If so, what are their names, as I so heart Nicole Miller and BCBG Max Azria but could never afford their ready to wear lines.
A: Nicole Miller is at JC Penney’s and the line is called Nicole. To be perfectly honest, it isn’t very good. BCBG Max Azria’s line is at SEARS and it’s called Parallel and it is pretty good—especially for spring items.
Procrastination is So Much Fun: My Virtual Model
One of the most difficult things about shopping online, beside annoying pop up ads asking you to vote for your favorite Destiny’s Child to win a $25 gift certificate to Applebee’s, is the inability to actually try items on before you make the purchase.
Enter My Virtual Model. Look past the corny sounding name and you’ll find a pretty good idea—a body model that you can customize for your height, shape, ethnicity, hair color, that can be used to “virtually” try on clothing items before making an online purchase.
So far, only a handful of companies have embraced the concept like LL Bean and Adidas. Strangely, H&M has embraced the concept even though it doesn’t have an ecommerce site. Magazines, like Glamour, are using the models to give readers the opportunity to try on select items mentioned in their pages.
The service does have a few bugs. For example, according to the program a size 10 APC skirt would look fabulous on my size 16 body, when in reality skirt would really be busting out of the seams. Also, my model looks slightly cross eyed, which in some circles isn’t such a bad thing. Reportedly, the French philosopher Renee Descartes had a thing for cross-eyed chicks. Unfortunately, Sears, who utilizes the service for its ecommerce site, doesn’t ship to France.
Designer Lines at Mass Market Stores
First, Isaac. Then Vera (Wang), Norma (Kamali), and Nicole (Miller). Fifth Avenue designers are all flocking to a stripmall nearest you in an effort to build their brand and pocketbooks. With so many designer premiering mass market lines, it’s difficult to know which ones are worth the Saturday trek to your Target. Here’s my picks:
Designer Lines at Budget Stores
- JC Penney—JC Penney’s carries a collection called Nicole by designer Nicole Miller (known mostly for her high priced, beautiful dresses).
- Spiegel—80s favorite Norma Kamali is back with a collection of interchangeable pieces in basic black, red, and multi color stripes for the catalog company. All pieces are priced $99 and under.
- Target—Isaac Mizrahi’s line offers classic 5th avenue style to main street America, reflecting some of the hottest fashion trends for less than $50. Target also carries the Swell line of home and personal furnishings by Cynthia Rowley and a line of high end make-up for less by famed make-up artist Sonia Kashuk. Target’s Go International initiative features a line created by a global designer for a 90 day period. Currently, British designer Luella Bartley is the featured designer, with Canadian Tara Jarmon set to premier a line at Target later this spring.
- Sears—Carries quite a few lines from top fashion designers like Alvin Valley (known as Lord of the Pants). Anne Klein has a line at the store called Aline, which has fashions and styles that are very similar to its higher priced red label line and BCBG Max Azria has a line called Parallel at Sears as well. There’s a rumor that French Connection (aka the British Gap), will premier a collection at the store in late 2006.
Alvin Valley at Sears
Alvin Valley, a.k.a. “Lord of the Pants”, joins Anne Klein and BCBG with a line called “Signature” at Sears. The line features mostly pants and skirts with Valley’s trademark expert tailoring and tummy slimming wide waist bands. Sizes range from 2-16 and almost all the pants are priced under $30 (some were on sale for less than $20), which is significantly cheaper than Valley’s standard price.
On another Sears note, it’s rumored that there is a VERY strong possibility that French Connection, aka British Gap, might make its way into the store as well.
Fashion Advice: Finding a Professional Bra Fitter
Dear Budget Fashionista,
I’m in desperate need of new bras. Do you have any tips on finding a professional bra fitter in my city?
Help!
Spill Out
Dearest Spill Out,
Most major department stores have professional fitters on staff (Saks, Bloomingdales
, JC Penney’s, Sears, etc). Some stores like Victoria’s Secret also have fitters, but in my experience, these fitters tend to try and sell you bras—regardless of the fit. You can also go to local boutique shops that specialize in bras and undergarments.
When you get to the store seek out the most experienced bra fitter there and have them measure you. If they tell you that you are a “definite” size, run like the wind. You will never be one size in every brand of bra and if a fitter tells you this then this is a sign of an inexperienced fitter. You will need to try on several bras, in many different sizes, until you find the right one that gives you support AND is comfortable. Your breast should fit completely into the cup, no spillage, no wire digging into your sides, and the band should fit snug, but not too tight on the first set of hooks. You should be able to sweep your hands from you collar bone across the bra without feeling any flesh bumps. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and walk out if they aren’t knowledgeable enough to give you answers or blame you (it happens) for their own inability to find you a proper fitting bra.
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