The Online Revolution

Another wonderful option to getting a great deal is getting on the Web. Almost every story nowadays has a Web site and most not only give you information about the store but sell their products too.
Sometimes the stores even offer special deals or sizes online. For instance at gap.com women sizes range from 1-20 while Gap stores only go up to a size 16. Another great advantage to shopping online is that you have a larger selection of clothes. Not every Nordstrom carries everything that is on its Web site.
Perhaps the greatest convenience of shopping online is the organization. You can search for clothing or look under categories like new arrivals, bargains or even sections that recommend clothes for certain body types. The highly organized structure of many shopping Web sites facilitates this point, click, your done style of shopping.
This morning I was able to purchase a swimsuit for spring break in about 10 minutes. I went on a Web site of a store that is in Virginia. I browsed their swim section. I looked under “one-piece” and “swim sales” and finally looked under a section that let me search for suits with stomach control. After seeing a couple of bathing suits pop-up in all three categories I made a decision. I picked the color and size I wanted and filled out my information. I should get my bathing suit in a business week.
Though it seems so easy there are still many downsides to the online revolution. You can’t try things on, and there is always a shipping and handling fee, but it’s a great alternative for busy people like me.

A lot of people looking for their cheap fashion try consignment shops. I’ve heard many celebrities laud their local Salvation Army or church consignment.
As the saying goes one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. I personally am very hesitant about shopping at such stores, just cause I don’t like not knowing where my clothing has been and who has worn it. But, I’m a special case.
Consignment shopping can be done right if you follow some rules:
1. Always check every aspect of the clothing; they tend to have stains or holes.
2. Come into the store expecting to browse, cause there is a lot of unwanted pieces but amongst the crap there could be a beautiful and unique blouse.
3. You can bargain. If you want a cheaper price, don’t feel bad about. (I once got a New Kids on The Block doll that was marked at $10 for $5.)
4. Always wash the clothes you buy before you wear them, cause you don’t know who has touched them before you.
Sometimes discount stores will unload the clothes that don’t sell into the local consignment shop, or people donate clothes they got for a gift that didn’t fit them; these are upsides of shopping at the Salvation Army. When those deals come along you can’t help but be proud that you got a store sold at Express for $35 for $3.

Don’t let the past posts fool you. Finding the right clothes at the right time at the right amount is not easy. Yes, there have been many new stores that target the low wage population who want to look like a million dollars, but that does not mean everything they have will work for you.
A great way to get high quality clothing next to nothing is to shop when things are on sale. Department stores like Hechts and Lord & Taylor are great for this. Wait till the beginning or end of a season, they usually have that previous seasons merchandise on sale. In the bigger papers they have coupons, which can be added to the already substantial discounts on their selected merchandise.
These clothes are good quality, not the best, but good. Department stores also offer many great accessories and a wide range of clothing, its not just casual wear or party dress. These establishments offer jewelry, ball gowns, and suits along with the trendy casual wear. I got a Jessica McClintok two-piece gown in 2000 for $60 in a Lord & Taylor, that gown has lasted me till now and I can see it lasting another ten years.

Though we see celebrities gallivanting around in the Chloe purses and Paper Denim jeans, those looks are just as achievable without spending thousands. Fashion has become a phenomenon unlike the early ‘90s when grunge was in and neon was the color palette of choice. Sophisticated fashion is being sold at cheaper and cheaper prices, though it’s hard to find certain items or get the exact material, substitutes get the job done, without anyone knowing.
For instance, I went to a Bat Mitzvah a month ago wearing a gold pin with beads cascading and in the center was a small cameo. I got so many compliments from my great aunts and other relatives, who thought I had gotten it from my grandmother as an expensive heirloom. When asked, I proudly stated to them “I got it at Target.”
Besides general stores like Target and Wal-Mart, there has been a surprising up-turn in fashion-for-less stores. Most notable “H&M” a store that has recently expanded into America from it’s main base in Europe. In the past two years it has special lines, at their regular prices designed by Stella McCartney and Carl Lagerfeld.

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