Dressing fratty on a budget?

[33girl]

I want to know where these magical TJ Maxx stores are that have VV, Lily Pulitzer etc. as those things never ever darken the door of ours. We get stuff from The Limited with the tags cut out.

They may be giving you those brands not as a "must" but as an example - i.e. they don't want to say "wear more polo shirts" and have you get them at Hollister and they're see through and skin tight. Instead of the DO, I'll say DON'T. DON'T shop at:

Hollister
Abercrombie
Ed Hardy
American Eagle
Aeropostale
Pac Sun
Hot Topic
Anyplace Jersey Shore-esque

Go to the MEN'S section of a department store and buy things that are better quality. Lots of places are having sales now...ask your mom for her Macy's card and coupons. You'd be surprised...you'll probably actually get better quality for less $$ than you would at the stores I named.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I want to know where these magical TJ Maxx stores are that have VV, Lily Pulitzer etc. as those things never ever darken the door of ours. We get stuff from The Limited with the tags cut out.

The TJ Maxx locations in NYC will have Lilly; the TJ Maxx in my parents' hometown doesn't even get Limited with the tags cut out . You really have to scope it out though because they'll have a ton of tiny sizes (like 2--and Lilly fits smaller than most) and gigantic sizes like 14. Nothing in the middle.

Marshall's will have Vineyard Vines, and you would probably have better luck in the men's section. Filene's Basement will have pretty decent sales on VV for men.

[33girl]

Our Filene's went belly-up. I've actually done better at Gabe's lately than anyplace else ($50 Michael Stars shirts for $2) but saying that you have to wade through a lot of dreck is an understatement.

[TriDeltaSallie]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

gigantic sizes like 14.

That's the first time I've ever heard a size 14 referred to as gigantic.

I don't think a size 14 even begins to approach gigantic.

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by TriDeltaSallie

That's the first time I've ever heard a size 14 referred to as gigantic.

I don't think a size 14 even begins to approach gigantic.

That's the same thing I thought.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

That's the same thing I thought.

It's gigantic in my world! It's especially large for LP, whose clothes fit very small and are basically cut for women who don't have hips and/or booty.

[Dionysus]

Originally Posted by TriDeltaSallie

That's the first time I've ever heard a size 14 referred to as gigantic.

I don't think a size 14 even begins to approach gigantic.

Ok, GRANDIOSE maybe?

Seconding OSU81. Also try H&M. Yes, H&M! You'll see a lot of ghetto gay black guys and coked-out Asian chicks shopping there...but they have some nice fitting oxford shirts, crew shirts, and slacks there if you look hard enough.

[axoalum]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I want to know where these magical TJ Maxx stores are that have VV, Lily Pulitzer etc. as those things never ever darken the door of ours. We get stuff from The Limited with the tags cut out.

They may be giving you those brands not as a "must" but as an example - i.e. they don't want to say "wear more polo shirts" and have you get them at Hollister and they're see through and skin tight. Instead of the DO, I'll say DON'T. DON'T shop at:

Hollister
Abercrombie
Ed Hardy
American Eagle
Aeropostale
Pac Sun
Hot Topic
Anyplace Jersey Shore-esque

Go to the MEN'S section of a department store and buy things that are better quality. Lots of places are having sales now...ask your mom for her Macy's card and coupons. You'd be surprised...you'll probably actually get better quality for less $$ than you would at the stores I named.

33girl- Bahaha! at Ed Hardy. All I can think about is what a DB Jon Gosselin looked like when he wore those shirts!
Agree with your above list. Of course in my day, nothing seemed sexier than a cute boy in khakis and a slightly rumpled buttondown.