Shopping Advice
“Alpha Shoppers” Take Control
What: If you’ve never heard the term “alpha shopper,” you’re not alone. The term was recently coined by Lucky magazine to describe women ages 18 to 39 who are “tired of watching what they spend and, for the most part, don’t mind paying full price for the items they want.” According to a new survey of 2,000 shoppers, 14% of women fall into this “alpha shopper” category, while a total of 93% of those surveyed said they plan on buying new accessories this fall, and 78% said they still like to “splurge” despite whatever is happening with the economy.
What Stylist Says:
“The survey says that the ‘alpha shoppers’ think that $500 for a pair of shoes is reasonable, and luxury items by super high-end designers like Louis Vuitton are considered investment pieces.”
What We Say: Paying full price seems so passé at this point, that it’s actually surprising to hear that so many women are still willing to spend big on fashion. While we agree some items (like a good winter coat) is a good investment, that still doesn’t mean you have to pay full price to get them. Also it seems that these “alpha” shoppers assume that high prices = high quality, which we all know isn’t the case.
BG Haute: Site Review
We’re working girls, so we don’t frequently have formal eventsto attend—but when we do we want to look chic. And even if we’re not hitting a ballroom anytime soon we know that plenty of you are (prom, weddings, charity balls, take your pick) so we like to point you in the right direction when we can. Because, let’s face it, finding formal wear that doesn’t look like either Madonna’s prom dress or your Aunt Edna’s 75th Anniversary ensemble isn’t easy. So BGHaute.com caught our attention with the promise of fashionable gowns at a glance.
Our Review: The site is simple—select your category from the drop-down menu (Prom, Homecoming, Evening, or Pageant), and view the dress styles. Many of the dresses are a step—or six—above what we might find at the local Brides-R-Us, but when we clicked on the style we liked (this shimmery strapless number, for example) we discovered that we can’t actually order anything here, but rather locate stores near us that would carry or (presumably) order it for us.
Again, the dresses are pretty—but the selection is limited in areas (the “Pageant” category, for example, was empty at this writing), and we really have no idea what differentiates the “Prom” dresses from the “Homecoming” dresses other than a few spring colors.
So what the site is, basically, a brand site (BGHaute, formerly Sherri Hill) that gave us some good ideas for styles we like and maybe a lead on a dress that’s a bit out of the ordinary, but that’s about it. No prices either, so we haven’t got a clue if we’re even in our budget comfort zone ...
The Verdict: Nay. Check it out for ideas, but don’t expect anything earth-shattering. And you still have to actually go shopping. Sigh.
Reader’s Week Spring 2007: Megan Shares Her Love of the Dollar Tree and Big Lots
Share Your Fashion Tips and Advice in the Fashion Gab Forum
Fashion is my passion, but being a college student working at a local bookstore does not offer me much leeway in my budget, which is why I’m addicted to bargain shopping.
My two favorite places for beauty bargains is the: Dollar Tree and Big Lots. The Dollar tree is a gold mine for beauty steals. Every major brand or product can be found at Dollar Tree and of course it is only a dollar. You leave feeling guilt free because all you dropped was a couple bucks.
My second favorite spot is Big Lots. Their health and beauty section is to die for. I can spend hours just looking around at all the amazing cheap products they
have. Everything I buy is $10 and under and the products of course are name brand so I know I’m getting an excellent product.
One of my beauty tips is layering: layering lip gloss, laying eye shadows, layering blush. When I put on my blush a do a swipe of blush than a swipe of bronzer than another swipe of bronzer. It gives a great sun glowed look. I mix liquid bronzer and foundation and that also gives a great sun glowed look.
Dollar Store Shopping
My friend Sandra is the diva of dollar stores. The stuff this woman finds is amazing; gorgeous woven baskets, underwear, greeting cards, you name it. She shares some of her thoughts on dollar stores with us:
Looking for gift bags, wrapping paper, pens, shampoo, make-up, lotion, pencils, or small ceramic items? Your local dollar store is the place for you. I have used the dollar store to decorate my home, with flowers, vases and candles. I have used picture frames and photo albums to store my precious memories over the years. While living in New York City, I often shopped at Jack’s 99 Cent Stores for groceries, medicine, flatware, and dishes.
In 1955, the first company to advertise various items for no more than one dollar was established. Now dollar stores are franchised (Dollar Tree, Dollar General, etc.) and you can do dollar shopping on the internet. Dollar stores provide low-budget alternatives to the often over priced department and grocery store goods I’ve found that many of the items in a dollar store are as good as grocery stores and pharmacies. However, in the case of some dollar store items, what you get is what you pay for, so while your new hands-free cell phone cord may work just fine, your new ceramic figurine may be broken before you even get to the car.
Sure, the dollar store is a gimmick, and sometimes in your fervor to get 20 one dollar umbrellas for your car, purse, locker, desk, husband, and daughter, you may end up paying more for a item than you would at your local drug store. To avoid this trap, only shop for items at the dollar store you know are more expensive at other stores—like greeting cards, dishwashing soap, kitchen utensils, etc.
TBF Note: I refuse to purchase greetings cards from anywhere but a dollar store. $5.00 for a piece of paper that will be thrown in the trash within a week? I think not. It’s also the best place to purchase kitchen utensils.
Budget Best: Online Vintage Consignment Stores
One of my favorite childhood memories involves rummaging through the racks of the local Junior League thrift store with my seamstress grandma. A Saturday morning ritual, I never left the shop empty handed. There was always a vintage patent leather clutch or rhinestone brooches or Hermes like silk scarf—with prices tags well under $5.00.
Fast forward 20 years.Now vintage fashion doesn’t always equal bargain prices. Deals that could be found in local thrift stores are now going for $100.00 plus dollars at online and offline vintage stores. In fact, many vintage and consignment shop owners stock their stores with items they found at their local Salvation Army and Goodwill (biggest spot—Jersey City Salvation Army). However, all is not lost. There’s been a emergence of online vintage stores that have great items without the high mark-ups. Here’s some of my favorite.
But first ... a few things to remember
1. Sizes, like people, change over time. Sizes of clothing pre-1980 tend to run significantly smaller than its comparable size today. The rule of thumb is to add 2 sizes to your current size to find your vintage size. For example, if you wear a size 10 now, you would wear about a size 14 in vintage clothing.
2. Follow care instructions carefully. Because of age, vintage fabric tends to be much more delicate than newer items. Make sure you follow the care instructions exactly. Unless otherwise expressed in the care instructions, I would send all vintage items to a reputable dry cleaner.
3. Try several places before purchasing. Prices of vintage items vary greatly by stores. Search around, and you may find a similar item cheaper at another shop.
4. Shop it like a regular store. Yes, that Pucci print jumpsuit is exactly like one worn by Edie Sedgwick in the 60s. However, if you wouldn’t purchase it on the rack of a “regular” store, don’t purchase it now.
Shop Goodwill-Our Favorite thrift store now has an online auction site. The nicely designed site is not quite Ebay, but you can find items at a cheaper price than its for-profit competitor. Shop Goodwill is the best place for cheap costume jewelry on the web. Where else could you find one of this season’s hottest styles, cameo brooches, for $2.00? There is a major downside to the site, very few of the postings have pictures.
ebay.com- Ebay has started to ramp up its style section, with a focus on fashionistas on a budget. Good deals can be found here, especially in the area of vintage fashion. I’ve purchased several items from the store, most recently a vintage hat covered with silk daisies circa 1962. Before spending any money with an Ebay store, check it sellers ratings and view their buyer comments. In addition, always purchase items from e-bay using a credit card with buyer protection. That way if the item is fake (which happens more often than not), you may be able to get your money back via the credit you used to purchase the item.
Fashion Dig—The grandma of online vintage. Has a HUGE database of online and offline vintage stores.
The Snob—One of the first and largest online vintage retailers, the Snob has a comprehensive, searchable, online database of vintage fashions from designers like Versace, gently worn authentic Hermes handbags (including vintage), Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Valentino, Missoni, Malo, Fendi, Jil Sander, Manolo Blahnik, Gucci, Chanel and Prada shoes and bags. . All merchandise is authentic and in excellent condition (some items in mint, unworn condition). Check out their large selection of plus size vintage and consignment items.
Rodeo Drive Resale - This Rodeo drive based store, has a online store with an impressive collection of vintage handbags and evening dresses worn by stars to premieres and Hollywood events. Of particular interest is perhaps the largest selection of St. John Knits consignment items. Frequent costumers can negotiate free shipping on their purchases.
Vintage Trends—Large vintage online store for men, women, and children. Has not only clothing, but has vintage military, lingerie and housewares as well. My favorite section is the vintage ethnic clothing from Pakistan to Ghana to Bali. Most items priced between $20-$50.
Hey Viv—Looking for 1950’s/ early 1960’s inspired dresses. Have dreams of purchasing a dress that would make June Cleaver green with envy? Hey Viv is the 1950’s/1960’s inspired vintage store selling dresses, and outfits from the time period of I love Lucy and big cars. Great place to look for a poodle skirt. Most items priced below $40.
Know a great vintage site that should be on this list? Submit it (go to the customer feedback form) to me. I am always on the prowl…….
Shopping Advice: Bargain Shopping in Las Vegas
Dear Budget Fashionista: What are the best places for bargain shopping in Las Vegas
A: Personally, I think the best places to do real bargain shopping in Las Vegas is at the outlets (read below my comments on pawn shops). Las Vegas has more shopping outlets per capita than probably any other place in the world. which is just fine my me. At the Fashion Outlet Las Vegas. you’ll find a pretty good Williams Sonoma Outlet, as well as outlets from companies like Coach, Last Call Neiman Marcus, St. John Knits, Tod’s, Burberry, etc. at the Fashion Outlet Las Vegas. It is about a 10-minute (around $10) taxi ride from the strip or you can use the shuttle from the MGM Grand.
Head to the site, to get more information on the outlet (as well as a link to a coupon to save an additional $3.00 off the shuttle service). Make sure you get a discount book with coupons for additional savings at the mall.
There is also another, outlet mall (Las Vegas Premium Outlets) located about 10 minutes or so from New York New York (about a $10-15 taxi ride) between the strip and Downtown Las Vegas. They have a Dolce & Gabbana, Tahari, etc outlet. Go to Premium Outlets and register for the VIP club to receive even more savings.
I would also check out the shopping mall on the other end of the strip near Treasure Island and Circus, Circus. It isn’t a discount mall, but they have some great stores, like Neiman Marcus and Saks. Since it is the end of the season, these stores are probably having pretty good sales. Some people like the pawnshops (which, of course, are EVERYWHERE). Personally, I feel kind of creepy buying something that was someone else’s misfortune. However, if a pawnshop had a pair of Cartier gold and diamond earrings for less than $500 bucks I would purchase it as quick as you can say “bankruptcy”.
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