So where do you guys like to shop that reasonably priced? I usually go to Old Navy but their tops seems to wear out and die fast...same with Target. I'd LOVE to shop at Guess Store but I can't justify spending $80 on a pair of jeans. Walmart is a no.
So what's your spot? I was thinking about maybe trying Kohl's this year for winter clothes.
Kohls is a bit pricy for what you get, in my opinion. I like to shop at JcPenney- their clearance is often the best you can get for cheap! Even at full prices they're not too bad.
I love clothing from Old Navy (jeans), Gap (tops), and Banana Republic. The trick for me is to get the most out of their outlets instead of the full price stores!
Consignment shops and thrift stores like Goodwill and private charity thrift stores, garage sales, online clearance on OneStopPlus.com and BCOutlet.com, freecycle, friends in my TOPS group (take off pounds sensibly - we all bring in clothes we've shrunk out of to pass on to anyone who wants them, and only as a last resort - the clearance racks at department stores.
I have a much nicer wardrobe this way, than I could afford if I bought new clothes (even from the clearance racks).
I'd say 10% of what I buy at Goodwill has never been worn (with the original tags still on), and another 10% probably has never been worn, because it looks to good to have been through the wash, even once.
I tend to buy most of my clothes at shopko, jcpenney, and lands end. All of those places have both plus and regular sizes which is nice. (and usually only when it's on sale) Shoes and outerwear don't count in that though. I seem to find that what you pay for is what you get with those items.
Kohl's is actually right by my house, but every time I go there I never come out with anything except bras that were on sale.
It just really bothers me to pay more than $25 for a piece of clothing because it will either only last a year or be falling off me in three months.
I'm not sure if I'll buy more expensive things or not when I'm at goal. Maybe a few nice sweaters or something but I doubt it. I guess I'm just pretty practical.
When I was on my way down I shopped on Ebay a lot and it was so worth it! As I went down I resold my clothes and then bought more... so much cheaper this way!
I will say Old Navy jeans/capris fit me perfectly and I will probably continue to buy them there but I'm looking for cute tops for fall/winter. Old Navy tops tend to look either too young or too 70's. I think I will try Kohl's.
i think im going to have to advocate a little bit of a different strategy here- this carried me through a large chunk of my weight loss.
back story: i am in my mid-twenties, i work in a proffessional (government) environment, i was a student at a casual university, and i practiced yoga.
with that my major clothing requirements were: workout clothes, office clothes, school clothes. unfortunately the three categories didn't always cross- but i did try.
things that are worth spending a little money on (IMHO) - shells/tops which may be considered "office appropriate" with a cardigan/ throw, may also do double/triple duty for going out, and being a little more casual. those may also be carried across seasons (look for prints that are not seasonal- not flowed, if flowered then in a darker colour) i have shirts that i got on the sale rack at banana republic for about 20 dollars, in XL that i currently still wear (i am a small/medium) and they still fit great, i have just had to find new ways to wear them!
dress pants/ blazers- you have to keep updating- i suggest clearence racks because those do need to be well fitted, and do need to be updated frequently. suzy shier/ smart set, etc.
winter clothes- SALE RACK. usually only good for one season if you plan to lose a significant ammount of weight, or find one that cinches at the waist, which will be good in following years.
shorts/tshirts/jeans/seasonal stuff- cheap cheap cheap, as it will be huge on you by the same the same season rolls around next year! - knowing this, if i know im going to shrink out of a pair of jeans by the time the summer ends, and its too warm for jeans- i make cuttoffs rather then buying a new pair of shorts.
to invest: dresses. i have dresses that i have worn from a size 14, down to an 8. seriously, its very hard to shrink out of a dress.
belts- i tend to buy waist belts for clothes that NEED to be cinched, and then if i shrink out of them, they become pants-belts (to be worn around the hips).
t-shirts- good, cotton v necks, scoop necks, etc. in a material that wont stretch out on you. crucial. seriously. pants too big? wear them with a well fitted cotton tshirt, and a nice necklace. BAM.
seriously, i WILL spend 20-30$ on a good black cotton tshirt, because they are they key to looking put together, they will accentuate your waist, they will make you feel good - and when they become too big you can wear them to the gym! double usage!
exercise clothes- lululemon. sorry, guilty - but no regret. it is hands down the best clothing for my sport, it lasts forever, and you can shrink through 3-5 sizes and still fit.
So where do you guys like to shop that reasonably priced? I usually go to Old Navy but their tops seems to wear out and die fast...same with Target. I'd LOVE to shop at Guess Store but I can't justify spending $80 on a pair of jeans. Walmart is a no.
So what's your spot? I was thinking about maybe trying Kohl's this year for winter clothes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by novangel
I will say Old Navy jeans/capris fit me perfectly and I will probably continue to buy them there but I'm looking for cute tops for fall/winter. Old Navy tops tend to look either too young or too 70's. I think I will try Kohl's.
I TOTALLY hear you on the Old Navy tops wearing out FAST - but they are so cheap, so I guess we get what we pay for. I did ransack their clearance racks frequently when I was rapidly downsizing - so I didn't feel too guilty when I dumped them at a garage sale at $1/each. But I do love their jeans & capris - they tend to last much longer. The tops are disposable though.
I kind of have the same conundrum now that I am at a more 'stable' weight/size. I have actually hit up The Limited several times (final sale, clearance racks, and I take the survey for the $10 off coupon) and have plans to go to the Ann Taylor factory store and NY&Co. There is also a great resale shop that had Ann Taylor slacks for $14 each, if I can't beat that price at the factory store I am going back to the resale shop. The Ann Taylor factory store by my house is having 30% off this weekend - wish me luck!
I find that I spend less on clothes now that I am thinner - I can wear the stuff that's been marked down cause the smallest size didn't sell and I find that there's a bigger selection of clothes that look decent on me. I used to spend like $80 on jeans, and now I am wearing $20 jeans (marked down from 194 cause of the size not selling).
I should add - I go to H&M, Loehmann's and Century 21, I check out their clearance rack. Its good for jeans, not great for work basics, but sometimes Loehmann's passes out coupons and they have a lot of "regular" marked down items.
I'm loving my local consignment shops for jeans/pants/capris, and fun summer tops.
For something more trendy (like my little collection of maxi dresses), Kohl's sale racks and JC Penney. I just got 2 maxi dresses for $8 EACH off a clearance rack in Penney's sleepwear section!
Penney's tshirts are only slightly more expensive than Old Navy, but much better quality.
I'll also make something that's a little loose last longer by wearing it with something fitted, or even a smidge tight.
Buying Clothes
