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Unlikely retail sources: What are your favorites?

April

Veteran

One of the most valuable things I've learned from Angie is her maxim to "Leave no retail stone unturned."

There are places that you might not be inclined to mention if you were characterizing your style to a stranger -- places that might even bring out your inner snob -- but where you nonetheless find stuff that works. I'm not talking about stores that are consciously low-priced yet hip, such as H&M, but places where it's surprising to find good things.

What are your favorites? Check your sheepishness at the door and let us in on your secrets...

General

28 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Dusty

(website)

Wal-mart! It gets a bad rap, but they do get good things sometimes (like, my favorite skinny jeans came from there, my LBD, my turquoise necklace) and you can't beat the price for basics like tanks and camis.

Peggy Sturman

I have gotten some cute necklaces from what was Long's and is now CVS.

Also, I have gotten some cute tunic tops at Costco.

AJ

Veteran

There is one particular Goodwill location where I always seem to find a great skirt/jacket/bag and one Salvation Army location where I find great belts/accessories.

I always check out stuff at Walmart when I'm there. Sam's Club sometimes has a great find.

Mae

Although I don't have a K-Mart in my neck of the woods, their spread in Lucky (September issue, starting after p. 120) looks tempting. I wonder...has anyone seen the latest garments in person?

Maya

Veteran

Hmm, nothing really surprises me from the standpoint of being "unhip." Maybe JC Penney but I never have any luck there. I have to admit I don't shop too much at places deemed unhip. Even Target has a large degree of hipness about it. It's not because I'm a snob really. I just never have any reason to go to a place like Sears or JCP.

But I always am surprised at how much I like Ann Taylor, since it is allegedly much more mature and classic than my style is (even after the rebranding). Not a big fan of the Loft though.

medusa

Veteran

I learned about Lane Bryant jewelry from the store/forum and have some nice necklaces from there. Because it's a plus sized store I probably wouldn't have thought to shop there on my own. It's not that it's surprising that they have good things, it just wasn't on my radar.

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Hmmm - Marks & Spencers in the UK and in NZ - Jacqui E.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

My mom's gotten several cute knit tops from the farm co-op in my hometown. She bought me an adorable pink skirt there once. I think that'd have to count as unhip, if you can also buy hay and tractor parts there.

Hmm, around here I can't think of anything spectacular - thrift stores of course, and discount places like Ross and Marshalls, as well as department stores of different levels of swank. Mervyn's was getting pretty rail before they went away; Kohl's is like Nordstrom in comparison.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

One of my favorite place EVER.....the Army/Navy surplus stores

bj1111

Veteran

yessss, army/navy surplus in my gi jane phase. i got the sweetest olive aviator jacket.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

For me it is Punk/ Rockabilly websites which if you are selective have some surprisingly inexpensive vintage inspired clothing. One of my favourites is collectif
http://www.collectif.co.uk/lac.....black.html
http://www.collectif.co.uk/pla.....-blue.html

April

Veteran

Maya, this necklace came from JCP. Probably hard to see, but it's a bunch of different chains and looks rather industrial -- I was surprised to see it there.

One of mine is actually Coldwater Creek. We walked into their store once and SO was horrified because he felt it was one large, garish, circus-y print after another. On their site, however, I have sometimes found good necklaces and -- somewhat surprisingly -- neutral basics. Right now I'm eyeing this tunic as a replacement for the KC one from NAS that was a bit too voluminous for me and has since found a happy home with Maya.

Maya

Veteran

I am reluctant to burst your bubble April, but doesn't CC run large? Not that I am a regular shopper there, but my garish-print-loving mom is, and as such I have shopped there for her. I am probably the smallest size there...and that might even be too big for me. Granted, the tunic is supposed to be voluminous. But then you may as well have stuck with the KC one.

I wouldnt blame you for trying it but I just thought I'd help manage your expectations...

And yes, that is a nice necklace. Not very JCP-like though. I usually find their jewelry a little cheap looking.

April

Veteran

You're completely right about their sizing, Maya. Big and bigger. I have occasionally had success with their petite shirts, though, so I may risk this one.

medusa

Veteran

April, have you looked at the tunics at Macy's? They seem to have quite a few right now.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Sears, of all places. Having the Lands End store inside is such a great idea; they even have some of their Canvas line available! (Or is it Heritage...I get those terms confused.)

I know LOFT has gone downhill in quality lately, but I have never walked out of there empty-handed.

Sparky

Veteran

Orvis. I find them generally too pricey and the clothing is not my style, but I had a gift card to use up and recently found some nice accessories ~ some belts and a pair of red leather gloves.

Barbara

Veteran

I frequent them all: Target for their Merona line, Walmart for Sasson and Jordache jeans, SteinMart for funky tops, TJMaxx and Marshalls for designer bargains, and yes, JCPenney. Hey, Maya, JCP DOES have some cool stuff! Ralph Lauren's AMERICAN LIVING line is designed especially for JCP. Preppy perfect. I've found Vigoss Jeans and Tignanello bags there. JCP is my first stop for leggings, lingerie, tees and tanks. For really crazy bargains, I check out all my local thrift shops often.

M. Jantz

Renaissance Faires/Festivals: A great source of artisan jewelry. I own several chain maille 'Statement necklaces' that I love & always get positive comments on.

April

Veteran

MJ -- wow, that's the most surprising choice yet on this thread! Very cool.

taylor

Veteran

OMG...my husband LOVES Wise Buys 9.98 stores...he could spend hours going down each isle, and then share the entire experience of bargains and what he bought for only 9.98!!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Absolutely right! With a discerning eye - leave no retail stone unturned. From hawkers selling things on the side of the road all the way to the likes of Chanel.

I like to go to Japanese grocery stores with a gift section. I always find something quirky in there when I'm doing as Asian grocery run. I found a fab eyeglass case a little while ago that was cheap as chips. Apple green and makes me smile

Frances

Chinatown for inexpensive silk scarves and fun jewelry.

Refugee

Veteran

Pawn shops. Especially for jewelry. You never know what you may find.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I thought of another one. In Zurich, there is a shop that stocks what people left behind on airplanes. Its AMAZING what people loose on a flight - like wedding dresses, Chanel jackets and Rolex watches. I'd be in that store every week if we had one close by.

April

Veteran

I would be in that shop right behind you, Angie! Apparently there is something similar in the U.S.: http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com.....on-planes/ but it's not in the most central location.

Okay, who lives in Scottsboro, Alabama and will go to Unclaimed Baggage once a week to hunt down a Chanel jacket for Angie?

I love these ideas! Chinatown, Japanese grocery, pawn shop -- I'm putting a list in the back of my planner.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Don't forget street fairs and farmers markets, April! Lots of pretty jewelry at those.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Does that mean I have to move to Alabama? I'd have to say no because I couldn't adequately showcase my boot collection in that climate. A girl has got to have her priorities. But I'll take a hand me down in a pukka Chanel jacket.