For the Ladies: Frugal Fashion Deals?

[Corporate Gal]

So I was reading this month's issue of More Magazine, and it had a great article about mixing being both frugal and trendy when you're clothes shopping, and how everyone loves when you find a steal or great buy. The article said that this has become easier since high end designers are doing clothes for less expensive places - like Isaac Mizrahi's line for Target, and that this makes it really easy to mix and match classic pieces with cuter, trendier stuff. It sounds like good advice to me, especially because my budget is pretty tight right now.

 

Do any of you guys do this - or if you have another preferred method, what are your tips for more frugal fashion? I need to kind of upgrade my wardrobe for summer and I don't want to break the bank on it.

[freesia39]

i just go to ross. if i'm going to be cheap, at least i'll have a semi selection.

 

i also go to department stores on the weekends (but later in the evening to avoid the crowds.) macys will have their 40% off but tack on an extra 25% off on weekends. this was my tactic to buy a lot of clothes for work.

 

i like some of the isaac mizrahi stuff, and i was really excited when they had proenza schouler there, but the material just didn't feel nice or comfortable, and it's probably because they had to cut back somewhere to sell at the target price. i do, however, like the mossimo selection they have of the plain sweaters, shirts, etc because they fit great in my work wardrobe. they weren't that expensive to start, so target picking that line up wasn't that bad.

 

i usually also outlet shop, if you have access to outlets. memorial day weekend is usually a huge sale weekend for them, so that'd be a great time to hit them up. some clothing is designed strictly for their outlet, but you can get some past season stuff or slightly irregular stuff (i haven't found the irregularities 95% of the time) at some good prices. you should see how much stuff i have from ralph lauren!

[nick_jenni_jocelyn]

i have a thrift store here called America's Thrift Stores(located throughout the country, i think). I buy a lot of basics from there at a fraction of the cost! I just bought my dd a long denim skirt from old navy for $2.00 and it looks like it hasnt been worn! I have found some nice skorts, shorts for myself there ant havent paid more than $3.00 for anything.

 

I am very picky when i go there too.... i just dont buy anything cuz its cheap. I usually buy the name brand clothing thats a lot more expensive in the stores. I have also been known to buy brands such as tommy hilfiger, gap, skechers, baby toys that just needed a little cleaning.

[Corporate Gal]

i just go to ross. if i'm going to be cheap, at least i'll have a semi selection.

 

i also go to department stores on the weekends (but later in the evening to avoid the crowds.) macys will have their 40% off but tack on an extra 25% off on weekends. this was my tactic to buy a lot of clothes for work.

 

i like some of the isaac mizrahi stuff, and i was really excited when they had proenza schouler there, but the material just didn't feel nice or comfortable, and it's probably because they had to cut back somewhere to sell at the target price. i do, however, like the mossimo selection they have of the plain sweaters, shirts, etc because they fit great in my work wardrobe. they weren't that expensive to start, so target picking that line up wasn't that bad.

 

i usually also outlet shop, if you have access to outlets. memorial day weekend is usually a huge sale weekend for them, so that'd be a great time to hit them up. some clothing is designed strictly for their outlet, but you can get some past season stuff or slightly irregular stuff (i haven't found the irregularities 95% of the time) at some good prices. you should see how much stuff i have from ralph lauren!

I used to go to outlets a lot, until I stopped driving most of the time. Now I'll fit it in if I can, but it's less likely.

 

I've been trying the Target designer lines, but everytime I go my local Target is almost always sold out of EVERYTHING Proenza Schouler, so I've never gotten to try that particular line. I'm still planning to though. I like a lot of the Mizrahi stuff though.

 

The More magazine article recommends buying trendier pieces at H&M. Anyone shop their regularly? They always seem to have pretty good prices in ads/circulars/etc.

[jax81772]

I go to JCPennys a lot. I can find stuff online and in the store usually priced great... I do shoes that way too at the end of the season. Last year I got a pair of black dress shoes someone had mislabled as end of season for $9.99, they were new and $59.99. You can also find promo codes or use pennys coupons to make it even better. I also like Fashion Bug, but the clothes are not as good of quality, but I do find some good deals.

[freesia39]

h&m really does have good prices. the only note with h&m is if you see it, get it, because it won't be there a month later. they change their selection VERY frequently. it is cheap euro chic

[cfbandit]

Avenue puts coupons in my coupon clipper mag every month (they come free in the mail) for 40% off.

 

I signed up for Lane Bryant's mailing list and get a $15 off of a $15 every three to six months. A lot of the time I'll get $15 off of $50 and I'll go and get a ton of stuff.

 

Salvation Army is great too because they get a ton of brand new Target clothes in, and price them less than $6 each. I just got two new denim jackets for $5.50 there.

 

Otherwise, I make a lot of my own knock-offs of high fashion. If you're into that, I'd urge you to hit up craftster.org, because there's a ton of gals there that make their own clothes.

[Fishboysmom]

Fashion Bug / Fashionbug.com usually has some good 40% off sales plus there are coupons.

[AndreaInNC]

Although I love H&M styles, I can never seem to get pieces that fit me. I think it's because they are a junior cut and I can't wear those.

 

I shop Kohls when they have their 80% clearance.

 

Find a Goodwill shop in an upscale neighborhood - you'd be surprised what you can find in there.

[migirlfriday]

I ususally shop the clearance racks, doesn't matter if it is Macy's, Kohl's, Fashion Bug, Wal-Mart or even KMart. If there is a piece I really need to buy, I will pay full price or sale price, but if there is a clearance rack, I am there!

 

The only thing I don't like about Fashion Bug's sales is that they have exclusions so that you cannot use it for their "Priced Just Right" items or Skechers.

[msluchie]

Clearance racks

 

Ross, TJ, Marshall's, etc...

[trbarginhunter]

Depending on where you live, sample sales and warehouse sales can be a great place to shop. Just be prepared for limited or no amenities (ie group dressing rooms, if any). DD and I hit the Paul Frank warehouse sale and bought 15 items for about $100--really cute and it fits her! (she's 5'4" and weighs maybe 90 lbs). I like the Line Up for Spot/Weekend Traffic stuff for casual, so I goggled them, the warehouse is about 4 miles from my house--and the prices are great. I've got to goggle a few more manufacturers to see who else might be in the area :-).

 

I also do Clearance racks, TJ's and Ross....and of course, Gottadeal for those extra sales!