Friday, March 3, 2023
The Savvy Shopper Is 14 Years Old Today
Monday, February 27, 2023
J. Crew Factory For Less
Nowadays you don't have to live near a physical plant to shop there and it's a good thing that can save us money on a few essentials, not to mention expand our choices of goods!
I selected a navy blue sweater for versatility and 5 t-shirts in hot pink and vivid blue.
Perfect for the chill of spring and fall, mom's cardigan is lightweight yet a substantial knit, well-made, and super soft. A classic silhouette, it's not too boxy or tight, and the fit is true to size -- thankfully as I wanted to avoid exchanges. Customer reviews are a helpful guide on size.
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Wamart Has a Fine Selection Of Activewear
Walmart is partnered with some winning brands for basics and activewear clothing. Desperation led me to them! Considering the ongoing joke of how inappropriately some shoppers show up to shop at Walmart, you'd be surprised by the retailer's array of smart pieces at ultra-reasonable prices!
My elderly mom needs a few comfortable t-shirts and trousers to do double duty for wearing around the house, as well as, leaving home. Her fashion sense isn't up-to-par with the latest easy-to-care-for fabrics, so I'm stepping in!
That said, I'm pleased by the quality and price of Athletic Works socks, therefore I ordered the brand's 100% cotton knitted pants for my mamma in navy blue (in fact, they're close to black) to match her tops. If you select navy or black they look like fashionable dark trousers and not athletic pants. As you can see by the image πabove, lighter colors look sportier exposing the trousers as activewear.
The next brand, JustBlanks, I stumbled upon as my usual suspects for t-shirts, Uniqlo and Old Navy, aren't making t-shirts in enough bright colors. What's going on here, a shortage of fabric dye? For a few years now my 2 favored retailers for cotton t-shirts have eliminated vivid blues and instead offer navy, very dark teal, beige, white, gray, and black. Since my mother and I prefer black or navy bottoms, we rely on a rich rainbow of colors in tops to liven us up so we don't look like we're going to funerals every day of the week. A beige, gray, or black t-shirt doesn't cut it paired with black pants! If not too Grim Reaper-ish, then just plain ole dull!
Hanes is one of Walmart's vendors |
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Bejeweled Athletic Shoes
Blue by Betsey Johnson |
Kurt Geiger London Laney Crystal |
Tretorn Nylite Plus Glitter |
Clarks Nova Spark Sneaker |
Monday, December 5, 2022
Which Office Party Dress Will You Wear?
Saturday, November 12, 2022
Retailers Are Selling Fleece Jackets
Uniqlo specializes in innovative outerwear. |
Photos: Uniqlo, one of my favorite retailers for quality basics |
So now we're entering the fall and winter seasons and what I see retailers (such as Macy's, Kohl's, Uniqlo, and Old Navy) selling are warm fleece jackets. Uniqlo designs them to be windproof and toasty warm. I'd never judge another person who favors fleece outerwear -- different strokes for different folks -- but you'll never see me wearing it. Fleece looks too casual for my liking. My personal style tends to be what gets called casual smart. Whatever I put on in the morning, I like for it to carry me through the entire day to avoid the hassle of changing attire (other than for a gala event), so I buy clothing like slacks, dresses, and jackets that can be dressed up or down with a simple change of shoes and/or perhaps by adding a scarf or piece of jewelry.
Although there's nothing wrong with fleece, per se ... it's too casual and too limited for my personal style. I don't feel dressed up enough (or casual smart) in fleece, and I'd also have to buy another jacket for a night out on the town. I'd rather invest in a multi-purpose wardrobe including outerwear. It means one jacket I never get tired of wearing that makes me feel like a million bucks every time I put it on, plus it carries me through an entire day into the evening.
Sunday, November 6, 2022
I Can't Watch Mel In Melbourne Anymore
It happened today. Finally, I deleted Mel In Melbourne's link from THE SAVVY SHOPPER'S sidebar.
Mel is an engaging influencer and if meeting her, I think I'd like her if she's anything at all like her YouTube persona. Also, I don't have to be a luxury bag collector myself to enjoy an informative browse, or to learn about luxury goods. Likewise, if visiting a mansion, I know I'm not a lord of the manor, and when looking at a Rembrandt, Van Dyke, or Van Gogh, I don't expect to tack the paintings up on my own walls. But more and more I'm becoming a minimalist of material goods for a myriad of reasons. For one, 1% of the world's population uses about 80% of the world's resources, while much of the world lives in abject poverty. In 2022 the number of people entering poverty is rising. The imbalance makes excessive, over-the-top spending not right! Dare I say even a little vulgar.
After watching a year of Mel's videos, her overconsumption is not aligning with my own values of being a more mindful shopper. I might indulge in a once-in-a-while splurge, but then stop buying after my need is met. I can't eat cotton candy every day of the week either!
IMHO, Mel must level with her viewers to stay relevant. I waited long enough for the answer to how she is able to afford her ongoing non-stop shopping sprees, plus I'd like to know why nobody else on social media talks about it? To boot, we only see the you-go-girl type of comments under her videos. Really?
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
White House Black Market Roundup
Matte Jersey Twist Front Dress |
White House Black Market isn't only an online retailer, the upscale fashion merchant who opened in 1985 operates over 440 boutiques and 6o outlets across the USA, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It's the perfect place to find a holiday or gala dress with shoes and accessories to match.
Above are 3 different women styling a classic Little Black Dress, in fact, the same super versatile Matte Jersey Black Studded Dress which flatters all body types from curvy to slim!
Another helpful feature of the website lets customers shop for an entire look. Under a dress, blouse, blazer, or trousers are 3 different ensembles, and you can click on the coordinating shoes and /or accessories for purchase if you need them. What a fun browse for style ideas! [You can go to the website by clicking on the little black dress to see a 3rd way to wear it.]
The prices on White House Black Market are surprisingly affordable for some very cute fashion that I would describe as classic modern style sometimes with an edge.