Sweats get a lot of wear in my lifestyle because I pop them on in the morning and at night instead of a robe. I love, love, love cute and comfy loungewear and it’s important that I feel as good in my sweats as I do in daily outfits. I therefore take considerable care in selecting this part of my wardrobe so that I’m not caught off guard when someone unexpectedly knocks on our door.

I prefer extremely soft, roomy, cozy, stretchy loungewear in vibrant colours. I am not a fan of yoga wear or active wear as a lounging option. I personally find that type of gear less comfortable and not as cheerful. Year after year, American Eagle is my go-to place for sweats. I’ve also purchased sweats at Victoria Secret, but American Eagle remains a favourite. I know that I should not be shopping at a teenage store but I can’t help it. They have exactly what I’m after, the price is right and I fancy the collegiate sweat suit look.

Every season, I try to find a more refined and age appropriate sweat suit option, but still no luck. Alternatives are either less soft, ill-fitting, boring in style and gloomy in colour selection. So my loungewear is unsophisticated and high-school. Rightly or wrongly, I feel put together in my juvenile sweats. That’s okay. I don’t have teenagers or babysitters wearing the same look at home. I’m happy hanging onto this youthful look in my late 30’s.

These are the sweats I purchased a few days ago. They are as soft as a baby’s bottom. The hoodies are on special (buy one and get half off the second one).

Flat oxford shoes, or “brogues”, are a fringe trend in ladies footwear this season. These peds remind me of roaring jazz 20’s and the good old 80’s.

Flat oxfords are supposed to be worn with jeans (any hem width), dress pants or slouchy wide legged-slacks as a dressier alternative to the fashion sneaker. I’ve even seen taller gals wear them with walk shorts, skirts and dresses. Both slip-on and lace-up versions are available in various colours, leather treatments and stitch interests.

This trend appealed to me because I like flats and oxford shoe styling. I had a pair of chestnut brogues 18 years ago, so I set out to give the funky jazz shoe another go. But I couldn’t get them to work with my style this time around. I tried them with different outfit options, but felt they made me look masculine, short limbed and flat-footed. Right now, I prefer the look of a ballet flat, bootie or heeled oxford for my style.

It’s a shame because I actually found a sassy pair that was comfortable. Oh well, at least I tried. Do you like the look of boyish flat oxford shoes and have you managed to successfully incorporate the trend into your look?

An assortment of masculine, flat oxford shoes for ladies. I wouldn’t be surprised if the look becomes mainstream next season. If I haven’t figured out how to wear them by then, I’ll be bypassing the trend.

Our wardrobe is one of the first places to be affected by the worldwide downturn, which makes super savvy, cost saving purchasing decisions a must. Here are 10 ways to stretch your style budget:

1. Create new outfit combinations with existing clothes: What we need is sufficient change to feel that we’ve added seasonal luster to our wardrobe. Often, this change can be achieved by mixing and matching new combinations with our current clothing and footwear inventory.
2. Have a clothes swap party: gather your friends and swap clothes, footwear and accessories for free. Make it a potluck and have girly occasion.
3. Borrow and lend accessories: I lend costume jewelry, accessories and handbags to friends to complete an outfit for an occasion to save them the extra expense. If you and your friends are comfortable with this arrangement, it can be fun and thrifty.
4. Browse through consignment stores: These purchases are either hit or miss. But the more you frequent second-hand clothing stores, the higher your chances are of bringing home treasures that are as cheap as chips.
5. Purchase the cherry on top: Shoes, handbags, scarves, belts and costume jewelry do wonders to refresh a look. If you have the basics covered, you’ll look current by adding only these items to your wardrobe mix.
6. Search for discount codes and printable store discount coupons: these are available online if you do a search.
7. Shop at off-price sites: bluefly (I’ve become an addict), smart bargains, 6pm and eBay are great sites for bargains.
8. Wait for items to go on sale: retailers will markdown merchandise more frequently when store business is soft. You’ll score if you can hold out untill an item is reduced.
9. Shop at The Rack: Nordstrom owns its own discounted retail outlet called “the Nordstrom Rack”. Same season Nordstrom merchandise finds its way to the Rack marked down 60% or more (designer merchandise included).
10. Buy one statement piece and wear it all season: this is my favourite budget stretching strategy. There’s nothing like a dramatic new jacket, coat, skirt, scarf, pair of boots, shoes, earrings, brooch or necklace to make you feel your best. Blow your budget on one fabulous item and sport it till the cows come home.

There are many other ways to expand our wardrobe budgets and I’m sure that you are brimming with ideas. Let’s hear them in the comments.

Shanghai Tang is an upscale Hong Kong store that epitomizes fusion. Its offerings combine ancient Chinese designs with a contemporary and often humourous Western flavour. Other than ready-made and tailor-made apparel for men, women and children, Shanghai Tang also offers a wide selection of trendy home furnishings and gifts. With gleaming antique wooden furniture, modern artwork and pristinely presented sales staff, it’s a beautiful and very colourful store that’s well worth a visit just for its aesthetic integrity.

On our recent trip to my favourite city, Phoebe and I went to Shanghai Tang and perused their racks of exquisitely embroidered and superbly made, embellished clothing. We gasped at knitwear and handbags that were trimmed with jade and dresses that were sewn with gold thread (quite the laundry challenge). Their homeware area was rich with handmade silk-covered photo albums, silver plated dim-sum baskets, ornate chopsticks, vibrant picture frames and arty porcelain jewelry boxes. Shanghai Tang also offers a revolutionary line of watches and accessories with Chairman Mao’s image. Super funky.

As much as I’d like to have come home with a luxurious statement Shanghai Tang piece, it wasn’t on the cards. But their menswear range was fab and a lot more affordable. Greg came home with a hip top that he’s already worn several times. My gift was the cheerful pink and green shopping bag it was packaged in. The colours match our site.

That’s all for the Hong Kong series folks. We thoroughly enjoyed presenting these posts and hope that you enjoyed traveling with us. Stay tuned for the next global encounter.

Shanghai Tang was founded in 1994 by a Hong Kong businessman and now also has stores in Shanghai, New York, Paris, London and Singapore.