Sorority Girl Needs...the cheap version

[justamom]

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.

[mmcat]

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

[ladybug1116]

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 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.

[ErikaXO]

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.

[SH80er]

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 ).

[DGPhoney]

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.

[volgirl2376]

Originally posted by SH80er
I am anti-bargain. If it dosen't come from Abercromie & Fitch, Gap, Old Navy, Express, or American Eagle I don't want it. IMO discount/sale racks and outlet stores has the UGLIEST clothes!

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

[AOPiLaLa]

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!

[juniorgrrl]

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

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.

[KarenC725]

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.

[SigkapAlumWSU]

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!

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!

[Dejajeva]

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