I too don't think Saks is all that expensive. It just depends on what you are looking at. An Escada blazer is going to cost you upwards of a grand no matter where you buy it. I love Saks and I love Nordstrom too. I could die and be happy in their cosmetics dept. (I am a makeup junkie.)

I like to have a mix of what is trendy (ie the Abercrombie stuff, Gap, etc.) and also some pieces that reflect my own style. I shop at Talbots a lot, some of it is too matronly for me yet but I like most of it. I am a die hard preppy girl so some of this crap that's out there now is just appalling to me. To the typical fan, Britney Spears probably looks really great and cute and modern, but to me she just looks like she raided Michael Jackson's closet from the Thriller days, took her scissors to a lot of it, and put it on. Tube tops, for example. I don't think anyone looks good in them. If your boobs are too big, you look like a cheap slut. If you have small boobs, it just emphasizes that. And I think the super super low cut pants make everybody's butt look big. People say they are so flattering but I don't think so. I like low cut, but just below the belly button. I do like flares a lot though. I dread the inevitable 80s backlash with the maxi-pegged pants. I guess I saw enough of this trendy stuff the first time around, so to me it is like looking at my mom's closet, you know?

What always killed me was my friends would show up in these awesome outfits, Ralph Lauren from head to toe or whatever, and say "I got this for twelve bucks at Gabe's" (Gabriel Bros.) Then I'd go in there and I could look all day and not find anything over a size 2 that didn't have holes in it, a ripped seam, or an ink spot. So it was back to Saks for me.

I love my Brighton handbag. Normally I don't pay that kind of prices for clothes. When I bought it, the store had a sale that if you brought in ANY type of handbag/purse, you got $50 off and the purses were donated to charities.

Also, my hubby had just gotten a leather jacket for his new motorcycle so we both agreed that I was worth the $$ Brighton, lol.


I love getting compliments on my Brighton. Interesting that I use my B bag almost everyday whereas hubby only rides his bike on warn/non-rainy days, lol!! ;)

I love American Eagle for graphic tees but I am all about Target for everyday clothes and Mervyns for jeans!

My bargain shopping tip is for formal dresses...
Start scoping out dresses around the time of high school homecomings and proms. Right afterwards, the prices drop down to an affordable fractions of the original price! I got my formal dress last year for about $50 at Hudsons and it was amazing! This summer I saw an incredible red dress marked down to $12 ( :eek: ) and if it didn't have a visible and non-fixable snag, I would have grabbed it immediately!!!

Umm, that's not much of a concern for me. I don't care if someone wears the same or similar things that I wear, matter of fact I kind of like it.

Tightwads in general drive me crazy, not just when it comes to clothes. For example, a relative of mine would rather eat fake cheese that won't even melt than to pay a few more cents for Kraft or Gorden's cheese! :mad:

I just LOVE LOVE LOVE Old Navy! They are so cheap! And their clothes are so well made, too. I bought a pea coat there last year for $70-and that was the chepaest I could find. They always have tredny stuff, but classic stuff too, for really great prices. I can't live without that store.

But my cheap necessities include: gum, phone quarters, my wonderful boyfirend, my friends and family, a rubber band to get my hair out of my face, and lip gloss.

I've found a LOT of useful information from you guys. BlueFly is great!
SH80er-I have to say I LOVE a bargain. I DON'T like dressing like everyone else.
When you shop where everyone else shops-
1. They've seen it, tried it on and know exactly what it costs.
2. Formed their opinion on the outfit by how it looks on THEM.
3. You run the risk of showing up in the same outfit (NOOOOO!) as someone else.
4. I believe one should try to develop their own "signature" so jewelry, in my opinion, is perhaps the classiest way to do so.
5. Shopping for "steals" is an art. It actual means you were not dumb enough to pay full price.

I HATE to pay full price only to see it go on sale a few weeks later.
TARGET was the ONLY place to shop when I was in college.
A few years back, I was in the Galleria in Houston. I saw a beautiful pair of shoes for $150.00! On the way home, we stopped at Target in Beaumont. There were the SAME SHOES for well over $100.00 LESS! Now, should I have bought the shoes in the Galleria or was it better to make my purchase at Target?
Here's a tip from my old Steak And Ale days. Expensive or cheap-there is NO difference in Vodka. Many like to profess there is but... So, next time you have a party will you buy the most expensive? Saving money isn't being "cheap" it's actually very smart.

amen to that
 

the major chains like target, kmart and walmart are making a big push to try to class up their merchandise without the large price tag. my favorite is ross, name brands with the labels at cheap prices.
consider shopping as a form of creativity. there's a bunch of good stuff out there -- you just have to look for it and know where to put it when you find it.
mmcat:p

just had to add
 

I just have to say I agree with all of the bargain hunters out there :) I love Ross, Burlington Coat Factory, Marshalls, etc. I manage to get cute stuff I want for so much less! Plus since I have more money available to shop I can have more clothes :cool: Yeah it may take a while to find something that's great because, let's be honest, half the stuff on the racks is crap, but it's very satisfying to find the best little Ralph Lauren dress for $15. There is no shame in bargain shopping b/c so many people do it. Not to say that I don't shop other places, but my checkbook and I are usually much happier after a "cheap" shopping day. :)

Well I wouldn't mind "bargain" shopping if I could ever find anything, but I never do. So I gave up. The TJ Maxx in Alexandria, VA was sooooo much better than the ones we have here. I bought a ton there. I have also heard a lot about a place called H&M.....seems like really cute stuff dirt cheap. But we don't have it here. I have seen it a lot in magazines.

Girls, it's not that anything is wrong with bargain shopping, but it just dosen't float my boat. Not now, at least, I still live with my parents (hint, hint ;)).

Well heres my two cents on "the cheap version"
I like Old Navy, I am they have good stuff and at a good price
American Eagle, Love it, Love it Love it. I love their winter stuff, not so much there spring and summer stuff :(
Express and the Limited another must haves I mean they aren't super cheap but definetly good clothes and worth the money you spend
I am not sure if anyone has a Forever 21 . But they are awesome, good prices, but the clothes don't really always last that long(odd , ya think, maybe thats why theres no refunds or exchanges,lol)
Or oh Aerospotales is good too, it's like a cross between A&F and American Eagle

DGPhoney~

I consider Old Navy definately to be bargain shopping, and when youve paid for college on your own and have tons of bills besides that....Anne Taylor, Saks, Nieman, etc are out of the question.

Its all about Rave (G+G depending on where you live), Debs, Old Navy, Target, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Payless, AF, AE, AEO, Gap (sometimes), Rainbow, and even J Crew when i feel like it.

Can I ask what makes something fake? I had a friend once call my tank that looked the same as hers a fake imposture. I bought my for 5.99 at one store and she bought hers for like 20 something at a different one. I mean I can see calling a Kate Spade purse that you bought for 10 of the streets of NYC fake, but still....why pay 170, when you can get it for like 39. they look exactly the same and are? Ad expensive isnt always better. I bought a strapless from Victorias Secret for 40.00, the thing ripped up after about 2 months, meanwhile the target one lasted forever that was 12. I wish I hadnt of tossed it after I bought the VS one. :(

I would have to say that Old Navy is the closest to an outlet store as you can get -

I am so glad someone menetioned Old Navy! I love that place, especially there new Old Navy Collection. And when its MARKDOWN MADNESS--watch out! And just my two cents on the whole bargain thing. I LOVE to shop--I could do it all the time. But since I am in the working world, I can't do as much damage as I used too. But something my mom always said is to have some nice quality, classic shoes and a nice quality classic bag and everything else falls into place. Now, I am definately a fan of Target and Payless for trendy shoes(I LOVE my snakeskin black boots!) but my perfect job interview heels came from Saks. And I am a bag nut, but I have about 5 little bags that are non-designer, that I got at different sales and one Kate Spade(it was a graduation gift) that I carry when I want to look professional. I just think everything is relative--if you are going to spend the money, make sure it is something that will last forever. If its a trend or something basic, HELLO TARGET AND OLD NAVY!

I am the queen of sale shopping. I feel like such an ass when I pay full price for most things, just because I had to have it then and there. With most chain stores though, it seems that the prices are set so that they can mark it down substantially and still make a profit.

My rule of thumb is that if I see it at Gap, wait a few weeks, then it will be on the sale rack. Usually in my size too. The one advantage to being an 8/10 as opposed to something smaller. They usually don't sell out of my size because its not as common :)

Beware of Gap outlet stores, though. Its the previous year's merchandise. For example, I was at the one in Foley, AL this summer and saw lots of clothes that I bought LAST YEAR for sale. Same with winter stuff. Although, if its nondescript stuff like tees and sweats, its mad cheap and worth it.

Anyone ever gotten anything from Old Navy for $1.99? I've gotten two skirts that way, just because they were marked XS, but were not sized correctly. They had gotten overlooked so much they were priced down. Good for me though, I actually tried them on and they fit :)

Marshalls and TJ Maxx
 

I know someone said they could never find anything at those stores. You seriously have to get there when the season starts and when things first come out. The good stuff always goes quick.

I've seen the H&M stuff too. I went to their website, it seems they only have stores in New Jersey and New York.

As for me, I like name brands but can only splurge so often. Most of the time if I have something expensive, it was on clearance.

I just got the cutest "inspired" kate spade. Looks just like my friends real one, no one knows unless I tell them.

Bottom line, if it looks good and looks good on you, it doesn't matter if you spent $15 or $150.

In college, I don't remember wanting something just because my sisters had it. The black pants thing was in place so I got a pair of those but let me tell you that 5 years later I still have them and wear them! THey cost $40 at Nordstom.

I am a total bargin shopper. I think that I got it from my mom- she always headed straight to the clearance racks when I was a kid, and now I do the same thing!
Target, btw, is owned by Target Corp., formerly Dayton Hudson corp. They own Target, Mervyn's California, Dayton's, Hudson's, and Marshall Fields. (I used to work at Target, and put my employee disount to very good use!)

I always shop at Target, Ross, Old Navy, Payless Shoes (I have too many shoes thanks to them!) I just don't see the point of paying twice the price or more for something just to get a little label sewn on. I just have to laugh at some of the girls on my campus during winter: they put so much effort into getting that perfect designer outfit and boots, and freeze their little tooshies off trying to look cute slogging through the snow! I'd rather have my target sweater and get to class without turning blue!

For Tiffany Bracelet Lovers and Wanters
 

Being the bargain shopper I am, I found out that Greek USA has a bracelet thats the exact "twin" of the Tiffany one for 29.95 with your sorority's charm on it! :)

Are you guys telling me..
that absolutely none of you shop at walmart or meijer?

I'll admit it...my walmart jeans are the best i own...they are jordache's and i love them to peices! they have some cute sweaters there too...it's all a matter of opinion i suppose but i feel so shame in shopping there every now and then

I detest Walmart! I love a bargain as much as anyone but the Walmart near me is just plain gross ! And so are the people wandering around the aisles. I LOVE Target, however! :)

DISCLAIMER: I've heard other Walmarts are nice, but the one near me is in Glen Burnie, MD. DGPhoney, you know what I mean don't you? Redneck hell???

True, true. The Walmarts in the St. Louis area give Walmart a VERY bad rap. When I go there, all I see is people with plaid shirts, broke down pick-ups, sluts standing on the corner, gold teeth, or no teeth at all! :eek:

LOL poor walmart! One of my sisters and I love doing midnight walmart runs up here at school...talk about sketchy people. Usualy on a Saturday the ones I go to at school and home are decent but ya'll are right the crowd can definetly get interesting.

LOL, I just bought a pair of walmart jeans today!!! They are really cute and look EXACTLY like the Gap ones I have that are too big. But I really prefer Target Clothes, they are absolutly adorable. Yeah, if I could live in Target I sure would!!!

lol I am gonna have to Say thumbs up on that one, Killarney, the Glen Burnie Wal*mart (sorry geln burnie people,if I offend ya )
is just crazy it's like Red neck haven with a twist of yokal and a splash of country bumbkin. I mean if I have to go to wal*mart I try my best to go during the day and never to that one at nght (tsk tsk, thats a no no ) and then if need be the One on Route 40. which isn't much better. Hey Killarney have you been to that one??
DGPhoney~

No, I've never tried that one! I've pretty much avoided WalMart in favor of Target. So much cleaner (the store AND the people!) lol

Hey, we should meet up at Arundel Mills after the holiday rush. I've heard good things about the Saks outlet there (i.e. some good, cheap stuff) :)

I go to Walmart when I have to but around here it is pretty much the whole Clampett Family Outing thing too. We have a saying around here that goes something like this.....you can get pretty much the same kinds of things at Walmart or Target for pretty much the same prices, but Walmart is the blue-collar version and Target is the white-collar. I can't walk out the door of Targt for less than 100 bucks. Can't do it. Believe me, I've tried. Once I pass through that entrance, I am out at lease 100.

I feel like such a poor bum reading this. I go to a small school in PA, our weather is bitter here... I also went to a right outside the city, suburb hs... a large hs...

I dont like wearing labels... i go for how things look on me. I wear what I want, and half the time its PJs to class. My sorority dosent really care... we all do it... i love Jeans and cute shirts... and my payless shoes! Plus I shop at kohls for my employee discount!


With walmart clothes, theyre not expensive, so if i only wear it once or twice, I dont feel bad...


just my opinion!
<3

Meijer is a midwest chain. Although I have to admitt i loved shopping there when I went to UMich. Especially the check-out yourself lanes.

I went to Macy's last week and bought two pairs of Calvin Klein pants and one pair of Tommy pants for $60. It was an excellent sale. :D

Anne Arundel Mills is actually pretty good, like it's all outlets but then there not really "Name" outlets. like the Old Navy one is there and Parfume and some other little cute stores. I haven't been there in awhile. Last time I went was the first day it opened last Holiday and it was crazzzzzy there.Being the Holiday and the Grand Opening. The Tommy H outlet is great :D I brought some Tommy Jeans there awhile back for only $25bucks and thats definetly awesome for Tommy H, ya know :)
Ya killarneyrose, just drop me a line, always like going shopping :D
DGPhoney~

Ummm...Popov and Sky Vodka? You can't tell the difference? That's like not having a preference between McDonald's and In N Out. Or the difference between an OE 40 and a long neck bottle of Budweiser.

I have to agree, I can definately tell the difference between good vodka and not good..good vodka is smoother, bad vodka tastes like rubbing alcohol..

exactly!:)

So, you want a retraction?
 

Good Vodka-Hey, I've never drunk something that costs less than
a bottle of pop, and the restaurant didn't serve that cheap a brand. So, I will retract my generalization (especially if you are talking about a Vodka Martini) but hold my overall opinion that MOST taste alike.Does that make everyone feel better? Other than a martini, unless you're a street person drinking from a brown bag,in which case what would it matter anyhow, you usually MIX it with something. On the other hand, if you choose to "nick-nick" Jim Beam as compared to Jack Daniels or Crown, then you will pay a much higher price than the cost of the bottle.

Hey, perhaps you Baltimore area gals are familiar with Tisen's, or Tyson's or however you spell it!? I went there when I visited my best friend in DC a month or so ago and I thought I had died and gone straight to heaven!!!!!!!!!!

I can tell the difference between good vodka and bad vodka by the way I feel the next morning. Good vodka- a little tired but that's it. Bad vodka- UGH!....I get ALL the symptoms of being hungover

What is OE 40 and "In N Out"? Or is THAT a loaded queston? Hmmm


Edit-Oh In N Out must be like a 7-11 or Quik Mart. Stil never heard of OE 40.

OE is Old English. It is the cheapest and most vile beer out there.