Recession Fashion

I decided to jump on Kelly's linky list and do a recession fashion post too!  I actually have always shopped as if we're in a recession :) We've never had a huge clothing budget and I love a great deal, so that's been just fine with me!  I tried to think of my favorite places for bargains and sales and where I get most of my clothes.  I am definitely a girl who errors on the side of being very basic, conservative, timeless with my clothes.  I do however have a wild side when it comes to shoes and accessories!!  Most of my wardrobe is black, white, brown, gray and denim.  I get lots of color from jewelry, purses and shoes.  I do have a few places that I buy trendy things, but for the most part, I like to stick to things that I know will last season after season, regardless of what's "in."  And I never, ever pay full price!!  Well, almost never :) I am a sale and clearance kind of girl.

So, here we go!!  

1.  My favorite place to go is always Target.  I "heart" them.  I love Target for basics like long/short sleeved t's; skirts; pants; swim wear; and shoes.  So many of my fun shoes are from Target, especially their summer flip-flops.  If I see something I like, I always wait because in just a couple of weeks, you can guarantee it will be on sale  Those little, red clearance stickers give me a natural high!  You can find the best deals when you shop at the end of a season (like now, 50-75% off) or on Tuesdays, when they mark stuff down.  I have also purchased stuff from them online, but since I live in Target headquarter land, there is a store on just about every corner!  I do not have a Target card however, simply because I am not mature enough for one.  It would be like giving crack to an addict :)  I fully appreciate every salesperson who tries to sell me one, but trust me, it would be my downfall.  

2. Also like Kelly, I love Forever 21 because they are so reasonable and they have great, great jewelry for next to nothing!  I am blessed to have a regular store and an accessories store at the Mall of America.  I have gotten so many cute scarves, necklaces, hats, and earrings there for under $10.  You have to love that.  I saw this adorable jacket on their website today, listed as one of their "21 deals of the day."  It was only $31.  Such a cute coat for spring and fall! 
3.  I also have discovered how much I love H&M!!  They have fantastic prices and fun accessories too.  I go here for trendy things.  Travis can hardly tolerate going in with me, because they attract such an odd crowd, but I'm telling you, they have fun stuff that is cheap!  I also recently discovered their baby/kids section, which is darling!  I got this cute little thing for Ava there, when we didn't know if we were having a girl or boy :) I think the whole outfit was $7.00!  It's very soft cotton.  Our only location is at the Mall of America, so again, I always hit this up at the same time as Forever 21.  

4.  When I'm looking for shoes that I need to last, in other words with great quality, I shop at DSW.  They have tons of shoes and really great prices too.  I am a rewards member, which is a free thing, and they send me so many coupons in the mail, I can hardly keep up!  I also love their clearance racks in the back.  You have to buy from those racks off season, but you can find some really good buys.  Here is a coupon I found on their website today.  Try it!

In addition to so many cute shoes for me, they also have a really great men's section.  Travis would never admit this, but he loves to go in there with me and look for shoes too!  He's really a closet shoe horse, but don't tell him I told you!!

 

5.  My latest place to find clothes at a great price is Kohl's.  You know, the store that always seems to have "the biggest sale of they year" every single week!  I really like their Apt. 9 line, which is pictured below.  I think that top and those jeans are darling and very "me."  I would add some bright colored shoes and big earrings with a chunky bracelet :)  Kind of makes me long for a "normal" body seeing this....

This is a place where I would highly recommend getting a charge card.  They send so many coupons that you can use in addition to their already marked down prices.  I never buy something at Kohl's without a coupon in hand.  And they are great about returns.  I don't buy too much else here, but I have been pleasantly surprised with how many cute outfits I've found at Kohl's.  
6.  Finally, the store that Travis and I get in the most trouble at is American Eagle Outfitters.  We get 90% of his clothes here and I have been really happy with the quality.  I LOVE their jeans.  They send coupons every now and then, but if you watch their store regularly, they do have pretty decent sales.  We love this store.  It's getting too young and too trendy for me, but they always have some great outerwear stuff and lounging clothes for me.  I also happen to love their aerie line, which has very comfortable underwear!  Sorry if that's TMI, but I'm just throwing it out there in case you are looking.  Lately, I have lived in their yoga pants.  They have been great through my pregnancy and I plan on stocking up postpartum.  I found this cute hoodie for $15 on the website and the fold-over pants for $20.  Remember, we live in a student ministry world, so we're trying our best to stay "hip"!!  This store has been our greatest help :)

My final recession shopping tip is this: If you ever feel a hint of doubt about whether or not you need something, don't buy it!! Travis has been really good at helping me sleep on something for 24 hours when I'm questioning it. Usually, just removing myself from the store helps take away any feelings that I "need" something, but when I've slept on it and still can't get it out of my mind, then I know it's a good deal and I go back for it. If it's still there, great, and if it's not, life goes on!! I am not a lover of clothes, I would rather shop for my house, but I do like knowing that I've made an effort to save us money.  However, I would be foolish to not say that in the grand scheme of life, clothes do not make the person!!  It just doesn't matter where you get your stuff because it's all stuff and it won't make you happy.  In addition to these fun stores, I am also a consignment store and garage sale shopper!  And I have no shame in saying that :) It is important to live within your means and to never make fashion some kind of idol.  So although this is a fun post to write, please don't let it become a stumbling block!  I'm no fashionista and no expert.  I just love a good deal.  Happy shopping!!