Quality Bargains at Saks Off 5th

I purchase my share of discount fashion from stores like Target, Old Navy and Kohl's. I love these places for trendy items that I will likely only wear for a few seasons or staples, like basic t-shirts and tanks. Although I do have quite a few items from these stores that have held up for several years, the quality isn't the same as higher end designers and department stores. I've changed my way of thinking over the years. A $20 pair of shoes from a discount store isn't a bargain if they fall apart after a few wears. But a $60 pair of shoes that were purchased during a sale (originally $100) and last for years are a much better deal. They may have cost $40 more but if you are able to wear them for years, the cost per wear makes the extra cost worth the money. My favorite stores for high quality bargains are department store outlets, like Saks Off 5th.

The newly remodeled Saks Off 5th store opened on Thursday at Potomac Mills Mall. I was fortunate enough to attend a blogger preview event just prior to the grand opening. We got a tour of the store, a chance to see the great merchandise and do a little shopping.

Left to Right - Blogger friends Kristin of Handbags Hair and Heels and Katie of  Kurvy Katie

This store will serve as the model for other Saks Off 5th stores. It's larger than the previous store and has a more open floor plan. There is lots of great fashion to be had. I found a fantastic tweed and leather Ellen Tracy jacket and a fun color block sweater, that will be a perfect fall transition piece.

I was really disappointed that this store does not have a plus size section (like the previous store). I spoke with the store manager about this fact and expressed my disappointment. Regular Saks stores have Salon Z which contains great plus size fashion. I'll be writing to Saks corporate and expressing my disappointment to them as well. The Ellen Tracy jacket is so me. It was originally $169. I paid $65. My color block sweater was originally $89. I snagged it for only $21! Great deals on quality designer duds. The bag I'm carrying in these photos is the Rebecca Minkoff MAB (full size not mini) bag. I purchased it several years ago at Saks Off 5th for about $200, which at the time was better than half price. It's a quality bag that still looks fantastic and has stood the test of time. It was worth the investment. I choose quality over low cost, when the item is one I will wear over and over. I'm sure a similar low quality bag would have already been donated to Goodwill.

The shoe, accessory and handbag sections are stellar!

Chanel and Valentino

Hopefully, you live close enough to Potomac Mills to take advantage of the fantastic deals in person. live close to a Saks Off 5th, you can now shop online! In addition to the amazing fashion previews at bloggers events, another perk is the gifts we often receive. At this event, we were given a store gift card as well as a beauty box containing, Saks' BLACK line of cosmetics and beauty products (lip gloss, nail polish, body wash and perfume).

A Decision Not to Buy

Over the years I've filled this blog with great buys and inexpensive items. I've also talked a great deal about quality over quantity and price per wear. Before the 3.1 Philip Lim for Target launch, I was sure that I would be buying a bag or two. Clothing was out because it isn't made in plus sizes. After the launch many of the bags were sold out in the local stores. Using Target's search feature I found a few stores that had the bags I'd thought of purchasing. No less than three times I made plans to stop by the stores and take a look at the bags (about $54 each) but I changed my mind. If I purchased both bags that I was considering my total would have been over $110. Although they are great, they aren't leather and they really aren't special.

When I considered that total, I began thinking. Of the bags in my closet, the ones that get the most use are my leather bags in classic silhouettes. I have inexpensive bags that I've snagged from previous Target collaborations and bags that are very similar to some designer bags. I've found that I don't use the look for less bags that imitate the designers. I also favor top handle bags or totes with short handles and a detachable shoulder strap. My favorites don't have big logos and are great colors that I can wear with lots of outfits. Of the designer bags I treasure, I only paid full price for one of them (Coach tote in white patent leather). It was a big splurge at the time but it's a shape I love and a unique bag that even 10+ years after the purchase, I still use regularly.

Then I thought, why am I considering spending $110 on two low priced bags, when I really want an MAB Tote, a Pashli or a Speedy?  If I just save that money, I could use it toward a bag that will last for years and that I could sell if I ever get tired of it (not likely).  Many classic designer bags, if cared for well, have minimal decreases in value.  Just take a look at a reputable resale site like Malleries. That can never be said for designer looks for less. Quality instead of quantity.

Clockwise from the top - 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli Tote in Ink, Rebecca Minkoff MAB Tote in Port, Louis Vuitton Epi Speedy 35 in Black

 

Save I will. In the mean time, I am going to go through my bags and either donate some of them or sell them. I will clean out my closet and help some folks at the same time.

Moment of Lust - Vintage Chanel Brooch

Pins and brooches have been a favorite accessory of mine for many years. I even wore one in my hair on my wedding day. On my all time wish list, a vintage Chanel brooch is at the top. It's a classic piece that I know I will wear forever. My real issue would be, not wearing it. I'd wear it on jackets, sweaters, hats, and even t-shirts. I'm sure it would border on ridiculous. There are several reputable sellers that have Chanel brooches available. I'd love to have a large one, two inches or more. They range in price from about $250 - over $500. 

photo credit : Malleries.com

Usually, I find budget friendly alternatives for my lust items. In this case there aren't any.  A Chanel brooch is a stand alone piece. There is no substitute. For me, knock-offs aren't an option. They hurt the economy and support organized crime, child labor and human trafficking. A vintage piece is even better because it's a form of recycling (see how I just justified this big purchase). For me quality and the number of times I will wear a piece always matter. Sometimes a more costly piece can end up being a better value in the long run because you wore it more often. Knowing that this brooch will be worn over and over again and be passed down makes purchasing it a bit easier.

Click on the photos for information.

 

Maybe Santa will be good to me this year or I'll get an amazing birthday present.

Frugal Fashion Friday - Not So Cheap Bargains

You all know I love a great bargain. Most times I will choose the bargain option over quality if it's a trendy item. However, there are things (products and services) that I choose to spend more money on because the quality is worth it to me.  These items perform better, last longer and provide a better value in the long term than the cheap version. For me that makes them "Not So Cheap Bargains".  They weren't inexpensive initially but their quality gives them value and makes them a bargain for the money.

#1 - Professional Hair Styling - Cut and Color
The best outfit in the world can take a down turn if your hair doesn't look good too.  A good haircut can last much longer than a sloppy cut or no cut at all.  I've believe that my hair is my best accessory. I'm adventurous with my hair. I don't hesitate to change it up. It's been half way down my back and Halle Berry short and every length in between.  When my hair is shaped and trimmed it takes less time to style and looks better. I've been almost every color, except black.  I'd love to dye streaks in my hair a crazy color like bright blue but it wouldn't work at my paying job. For many years I've colored my own hair and helped friends color theirs but I have made a few mistakes.  That drugstore savings doesn't compare to the value I get from good salon color.  The dyes are better, the application is done by a profesional and the results can't be equaled. Some hairdressers charge less, some more and color charges vary depending on the process.  If you don't color your hair. That's fantastic!  I've paid over $100 for a pair of shoes I wear occasionally.  Why wouldn't I spend that and more on my hair?  I wear my hair every day.

#2 - Clé de Peau Beauté Concealer
It's hard to explain my devotion to this product. It's amazing. I've battled under eye dark circles my entire life and tried every product that claims to help, hide or cure them.  They don't exist due to lack of sleep. They are hereditary. Even if I'm incredibly well rested, I still have them. I hate them so much that I never leave the house without concealer. This is the only product I've ever found that makes them seemingly disappear. One tube costs about $70.  Everytime I spend that money I cringe. However, I know I will only have to do that about every 10 - 12 months and I use it every day.  I purchased my current tube in April.  I still have about 1/2 of it left. 19¢ a day is a small price to pay to erase my dark circles.

I can't even believe that I'm posting this picture. This is my before Clé de Peau  picture. I must really want to share with you guys. I don't have any concealer under my eyes in this picture. None, nothing, zip, nada.

With Clé de Peau you don't even know I have those dark circles. It's my miracle product.

 


#3 - Foot Petals Tip Toes and Strappy Strips
You can buy high heel shoe cusions in every drug store today.  Ten years ago, that wasn't the case.  They had big clunkly soles but cushions for your stilettos and strappy sandals were much harder to find. I heard about Foot Petals and placed my first order. Since then I've tried other brands but for me, these are the best.  The material they are made from stays put, doesn't cause my feet to sweat (more than they already do) and they make uncomfortable shoes more confortable. They let me stand all night in shoes that used to be relegated to sitting only.  They wear very well and don't leave a gummy residue when you want to remove them. One pair of Tip Toes in shoes that you wear about once a week can last for years. That's a great cost per wear in my book. A pair of Tip Toes and a set of Strappy Strips cost $6.95 each or you can get multi packs for a discount.  I usually buy the three pack of Tip Toes for $10.95.  Also, you can sign up for their newsletter to get discounts or Google a discount code.  I found several 20% off coupons in one search. I don't think I've ever paid full price for an order from Foot Petals. If I did, they would be worth every penny.

#4 Dry Cleaning
The amazing blouse that you purchase at the thrift store for $3 isn't a bargain if it just sits in a bag waiting to be cleaned.  I can say this becuase I know.  I'm a dry clean procrastinator.  Until a one price dry cleaner opened in my neighborhood, I had a bag of clothes sitting in my closet waiting to be cleaned.  In reality I should have never bought those items in the first place if I wasn't prepared to pay for dry cleaning.  Wearing an item a couple times a year isn't a value no matter how much of a bargain it was.  If I want dry clean only items I have to be willing to spend the money or I leave them at the store.

#5 Eyebrow Maintenance
I subscribe to the same philosphy as Elle Woods. "Why let someone else do for you what you can do yourself -- except in the case of eyebrow maintenance."  There are lots of home products you can use to shape your brows.  They make it look fool proof. However, when you are doing them yourself, you don't have the same view as a professional.  You also don't have the same skill set.  For many years I only lightly plucked my brows on the edges to get rid of stray hairs. My mom gave me great brows.  Finally, I decided to have them shaped.  Pardon the pun but it was an eye opening experience.  I couldn't believe how great this simple procedure made my face look.  The shaping made my eyes look bigger and framed my face.  Depending on your body and how quickly your hair grows you can go months between shapings.  Occasionaly plucking can help extend your shape but for me, nothing compares to a professional. If you hate waxing there are other options, such as sugaring and threading.  I think checking for recommendations is important. It's worth your time. Years ago I had my brows done on a whim, by as woman I'd never used before.  They turned out looking like this...

They were much too thin for my face and they took forever to grow back.  It's worth it to me to spend the money and get them done professionally.

What do you think is worth the extra money?