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Have you ever window shopped the mall wanting to buy it all but the thought of $50 for one shirt just wasn’t gonna work??
I want to encourage you to find a new way to look at the mall. Take window shopping to the next level in a sense. I recently had a girls day out and had a blast first going to the mall and “Window shopping” with my camera. I took pictures of the window displays and what they were wearing and then we went to T.J. Maxx and Marshalls and recreated a look that I liked for a ton less.
First, why TJ Maxx or Marshalls:
They are the leaders in “Off-Price” clothing. Everything is still name brand, but the price is between 30-60% lower than in a department store or designer store. Some people think it is because they are flawed or off season, but really each of these stores get’s over 10,000 new items each week and they work hard to stay in season and with the trends. According to their website for an item to be in their store it must meet these guidelines:
· Fashion – It must be a fashion classic or an on-trend, current season style.
· Quality – It must be first quality. We never compromise, ever.
· Brand – It must be a designer or brand name that customers know, trust and desire.
· Price – It must be negotiated to sell for up to 60 percent less than customers will find in a department or specialty store.
Now for the fun:
I walked the mall on Saturday afternoon so I definitely got some looks as I took pictures, even had a few college guys offer to jump in the window for me. It was fun just to start thinking. I’m not in any way a fashion expert so I wanted to really look at what was in season and in style, and try my hardest to match it. That challenge is what makes this outing so much fun. I quickly noticed scanning through all the pictures that every window display was wearing a tailored jacket so I knew that was my first goal. Then to match some of the shirts under the jackets.
After taking my pictures I went straight to Marshalls and T.J. Maxx. I took the camera with pictures in and then stayed focused trying to rebuild my outfit for the least amount possible. When you first walk into one of these stores the amount of clothing they offer can be overwhelming so shopping with a direct purpose also made it easier to sort through everything and only grab what worked to recreate my outfit.
The Designer Model
Top Outfit::
Jacket $116
Blouse $54
Pants $68
Total = $238
The Marshall’s Version
Top Outfit::
Jacket $16.99
Blouse $14.99 (Jones New York)
Pants $14.99 (Levi’s with Slender panel :) )
Total = $46.97
Total Saved = $191.03
Total Saved on the bottom outfit was even more since this was a store in the mall I wouldn’t even go in with my kids!! The jacket alone was over $200 and the Marshalls version, which I love, was $19!
This girls day out was actually funded by Marshall’s & T.J. Maxx for me and I have to say getting an entire designer outfit and still having $3 left on my gift card was a thrill!
A chance to see for yourself the awesome savings potential!!
(2) Southern Savers readers will win a $25 gift card to T.J. Maxx or Marshalls
To Enter – Leave a comment with one fall fashion item you would love to have.
If you are a little like me and have no idea about fashion trends that’s okay just say that.
