Lena Loves… Cheap Chic CLOSED
When I was in university, I found myself drawn to cheap chic because it was what I could afford at the time. After all, who wants to spend more that $16.99 on a clubbing top? Thanks to Sirens, I never had to!
Then, when I graduated into the working world, I had spend too much time in Urban Behaviour-esque stores to really appreciate the finer threads in life. So I continued to supplement my mostly Jacob wardrobe with fun and flimsy numbers from the under $30 racks.
Finally, mercifully, after too many loose hems and broken zippers, I began to snub the clubwear retailers in favour of my new best friends: BCBG Max Azria, Joseph, Aritzia and Marciano. Of course, my new found adoration also came with a price tag – although I was at the top of my fashion game, my savings account totaled a big fat ZERO.
Now, fashionistas would argue that I was still ahead of the curve – it’s not like I was in debt, and without the burden of a mortgage and children, I was much better off than those drowning in monthly bills. So theoretically, as long as I wasn’t owing anyone, why shouldn’t I enjoy everything Coach had to offer?
And that’s when it happened. Wham! Sucker punch! To be fair, three things happened in a total of 56 days (yes, I counted.)
First, I got married. Two weeks later, we moved into a brand new home. Three weeks later, I found out I was pregnant. And then, I had to end my relationships with Joseph, Max and the like.
Now I know what you’re thinking – just because you have a child, doesn’t mean you can’t wear nice clothes. I agree. But when you’re living on one salary, and you’d like to keep your house and your kid, you have to make sacrifices. And that’s when it came full circle – I was once again on the cheap chic bandwagon, only this time, I looked for quality over quantity.
Specifically, I discovered that EVERY store has promotional cycles, and if you wait just long enough, you’re sure to score a deal. I also realized that mainstream stores continue to improve their quality while reducing their prices, and can whip out designer-type clothing for a quarter of the cost. And I made a promise – I would NEVER pay full price if I could humanly avoid it.
And for the last year, I’ve fulfilled my promise! Ryder is always decked out in upscale kidswear – consistently at 30-60% off retail price. And when I can’t find a bargain, I load up at Old Navy, a veritable cornucopia of cheap chic. As for me, I still love my wardrobe – but now it’s purchased from mass market retailers during friends and family events, seasonal clearance and other timely sales. Of course, I still faithfully carry Coach; but today, I’m more likely to purchase an outlet piece than sign over $500 for an in-season number.
So I guess you can say I’ve fully embraced cheap chic. I suppose everyone makes concessions as they mature – whether it be the frequency of your partying, the car you drive, or the clothes in your closet. And somehow, I think Max Azria is doing just fine without my business :)
For this week’s contest, I’d love to give away a $50 Gift Card to the ambassador of cheap chic – Winners! To enter, simply leave a comment telling me how you stay frugal but fabulous. I’ll draw for a winner next Friday. Good luck everybody!
I would be living in poverty if it wasn't for you my dear.What would I do without you?
Great post! I try to buy quality clothes if I know I'm likely to get a few years wear out of them…and add trendy but cheap accessories so the outfit looks current.
I live for stores like Winners!! And I LOVE consignment stores for shopping for my little one . . . they grow out of stuff so fast that it is usually still practically brand new when it makes its way to one of these stores . . . And for me, I love Value Village . . . I work in a daycare and it is next to impossible to keep clothes looking perfect for very long, so second hand is the way to go!
I usually only splurge a few key items per season (e.g. blazer, pair of boots). Everything else is Forever 21 or Winners!
I pick the best time (like when stores have sales) or the best store (like Winners) to shop, clipping coupons along the way :-)
Friends and Family events are the best…that, and generous friends and family at birthdays, Christmas'…especially for the kids!!! :-D I too will never pay full price for anything, it will all go on sale eventually…and when it does, I'm the first one there to get the size I need! :-D
I faithfully check in to a great blog called Listen to Lena to catch the good sales!
I've been a Winners-holic for a little over 10 years now. It's the " searching through the racks" and finding something incredible with an awesome price tag that gives me the thrill. The store itself is practically a treasure hunt.Besides the typical/major seasonal sales event – I try to keep track with info deal sites and of course, your blog :)!Other than that – I've officially turned into my mother by saving through flyer searching & coupon clipping.. which is a great thing :).
Taking advantage of all the deals to be found on the net- especially the great deals you blog about and purchasing items when stores have their promotions i.e friends and family events.
Warehouse sales, discount coupons available online, instore promotions are just some of the ways that I save on purchases.
Does it count if your hubby has to drive you 45 minutes to the value villagethat has all the chic clothes with the tags still on?! ;-)
I stay frugal by shopping at Reitmans. They carry clothes that actually fit my body, and always have nice styles.
I never pay full price on anything- I love finding great items at amazing prices! To stay frugal, I check your blog and go to warehouse sales, friends & family events:)
I stay frugal by buying 3 or 4 reasonably priced pieces that can carry me through a long season, and supplementing the rest of my wardrobe with fabulous value village and goodwill finds. It takes a bit more time to dig, but it's definitely worth it!
for a long time, my secret was to work in retail! cant beat employee discounts. but, as i soon learned after about 7 years, you burn out. so now i am thrilled to have found your blog- and i frequent places like marshalls, tj maxx, and i used to love filenes basement before they closed the one in my neck of the woods!thanks for yet another amazing giveaway!! :)
I try really hard not to pay full price on anything. (unless I am in LOVE with the fit, style and colour and feel like I can’t live without it) Family & friends events are always worth a check out too. Winners and Style Sense are great too.
Thanks to your website, I've been able to look here for info on the best sales. Also, I buy all my summer clothes at the end of the summer and all my winter clothes in the spring for the following winter – you save a ton of $$
My secret to finding jewelry is at yard sales.For a buck or two you can pick up vintage pieces, and pair them with a modern wardrobe.It always looks great, and people are always shocked when you tell them where you got these amazing finds.
Love this post as I can relate to it well. I don't pay full price on anything anymore as they are never worth it. So it all comes down to buying clothes for the next season for the kids and buying them a size larger than needed…TCP always have awesome end of season deals. As for myself, I don't spend much to begin with so it isn't too difficult to wait for something I really like at a discounted price.
well…thank god i have you around to let me know of all the deals. Besides that, for anything funky and/or with a short "shelf life", i hit H&M and Winners. I still shop at CM, Banana and Zara for all the classic items that I could wear for a few years.
I NEVER buy anything unless it is at least 30% off! I always head right to the sale rack's at Gap, Le Chateau etc. Reading your blog has been a GREAT help! Thanks!
i love winners and friends and family events, but once in awhile I will splurge on an one of kind piece.
I love this post! I can absolutely relate!
i have a great friend how can put together an outfit from nothingso we shop at warehouse sales, clearance racks and tiger boutique!! she makes me looks great for pennies!!
Cheap chic? 2 words….Joe Fresh!
Love the information you provideTammy Graham
Two words: DIXIE MALL. I also B-Line it straight to the sale racks….I've trained myself not to look at any regular priced item. I figure they will be on sale in a couple weeks anyway…this is a good test to see whether the item is meant to be hanging in my closet.
I cruise the internet for all the sales and deals. :)
I never pay full price for anything unless it's an item that I cannot live without or it has caught my eye and made me come back and get it! Love finding deals and then braging about my find hehe
That's why I read your blog everyday and only shop when its on sale :)
That's why I read your blog everyday and only shop when its on sale :)
Ok Winners is probably one of my top stores to shop at. I am a University student, so my shopping motto is in order for me to pay full price for something, it has to be a "love it, cant live without it" kind of item. If it isnt, i wait for it to go on sale!I thrive on sales…my sister thinks I havea radar for them because I always seem to find great deals, and seh doesnt!
Well, I do what most of you have mentioned, but there is of course Joe Fresh line, which is really nice and very affordable. When I was in Montreal (for a business trip), I scored many new purchases at amazing store, called Simons. It's the best store, most of my stuff was on sale.They will also delivery FREE to Toronto. Check out their website: http://www.simons.ca and then click on English. Great lines, they have three distinct lines to cater different styles and age groups.
i was falling into the mariciano trap, but i managed to save myself before i did too much damage to my savings :p i try to stick to sales…dynamite, h&m and jacob usually do the job for work clothes
To stay frugal, I walk into expensive stores, try things on, and try to find the same quality at a better price elsewhere.
i try to buy some of the kids' clothes second hand and also share clothes with relatives. When they only wear stuff for a few months, it just makes sense (and cents – lol!)
My rules are: Everything must go on sale eventually. I shop for items on my wish list when the stores have their discounts. I avoid impulse buying.mommakoala(at)cogeco(dot)ca
Second hand stores! That's my trick. I realized that rich and funky people give away their clothes too which means there's probably a lot of great stuff in the second hand shops, and I was right. Now, i stay frugal by listening to Lena!
Spend the big bucks where it counts- items that are going to stick with me season after season. The trendy stuff is all about cheap chic!
I love your blog because I always know when to hit up a big sale (old navy sale this week got 2 jackets for 50% off! love it). I try not to buy anything regular priced since I now have a mortgage to pay! I love Heartland, and always check out the sales racks or wait until I am heading to the states and do some major damage at Ross, Forever 21, and Charlotte Russo!
I wait until items go on sale, and then I stock up on essentials. No one will ever notice if you wear a black t-shirt twice!
I agree that you have to make sacrifices when you're a parent but I love to wear nice items and your blog is a lot of help. I ususally shop when there is an end of season sale and look for sales of at least 30-40% off, then I accessorize!
2 words – Sales and Coupons/Discounts. Between the 2, i always try to never buy stuff at regular price. Especially here where things go on sale within a few weeks it seems. Sure, you may sacrifice not being 'up and up' in the fashion world but let's face it, who is these days! I also try to shop at stores off the beaten path – there's some great stores on Queen Street or even in some of the bigger malls that have some great fun stuff that's not too pricey… And the best part of all, you don't have to worry about being caught wearing the exact same top as someone else from H&M, Old Navy, Gap, BR, etc. because everyone's shopping there…
Being frugal does not reguire alot of work, but it does mean being organized and doing your research before you go out shopping. I keep an agenda and mark down any upcoming sales so as not to miss any. I print out coupons/sale invitations or write down coupon codes in my agenda, and always take it with me. Registering on retail web-site provides a head's up on sales and notice of any coupon codes. Check flyers weekly for sales and always remember to diarize them, or you will forget.